2018 NBA Playoffs: Ranking the first-round matchups

Ranking the most intriguing first-round matchups of the 2018 NBA Playoffs

The 2017-18 NBA regular season has finally come to a close. There has been no shortage of drama this year, and that drama will carry right on over into the playoffs.

NBA fans get a two-day break before the six-week gauntlet begins and I’ve decided to use that time to break down and rank the most interesting first-round matchups that are about to take place.

8. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics

Season Series: 2-2

This is a series that presents two teams with polarizing strengths and weaknesses. The Bucks have the best player in Giannis Antetokounmpo but they are also a team that has failed to maximize its talent on either end this year.

Boston is missing its two best players (Hayward and Irving) but has one of the game’s elite coaches in Brad Stevens. Stevens guarantees that whoever is on the floor for the Celtics will be put in the best position to succeed. This series could be very competitive but the lack of star power for Boston takes away a lot of its intrigue.

Prediction: Bucks in 7