NBA Playoff Roundtable: Upsets, bold predictions and our Finals picks

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Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons Joel Embiid Jimmy Butler (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

In our site-wide NBA Playoffs roundtable, a few of our writers share their upset picks, bold predictions and NBA Finals picks

The 2019 NBA Playoffs officially begins this weekend, and as we prepare for the festivities our site came together in our annual playoff roundtable. We begin by picking a few upsets.

Which Eastern Conference favorite is most likely to get upset?

Brandon Osborne, Contributor: The Boston Celtics. The Celtics have had issues all season with chemistry and now they get a Pacers team that is very scrappy. Not to mention the Celtics wont have Marcus Smart at all for this series and he’s a very important piece for their defense.

Dan Knitzer, Contributor: think people are way too high on the 76ers. Ben Simmons jump shot – or lack-thereof – is a serious problem that will be exposed as early as the first round, and their only 3 point marksman is a huge liability on defense. Add in their lack of two-way players beyond Embiid and Butler, and you have a tough first round series, and a likely 2nd round exit.

Erik Salveson, Contributor: Philadelphia 76ers. While the 76ers have a lot of top-heavy talent, they lack overall depth. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but Philly has a weird chemistry vibe, too. To top it off Ben Simmons lack of a shot should be a frustrating for them. The Nets should play gritty and grind out a tough series. The Nets aren’t going to be intimidated by the 76ers at the very least, that’s for sure.

Tron Griffin, Contributor: The Milwaukee Bucks. I know the Bucks won 60 games this year and Giannis likely will win the MVP, but at the end of the day they will have to beat Kyrie Irving and a very talented Celtics team in the second round. If they survive the Celtics, they likely will be rewarded with a series against the Raptors or 76ers.

Max Kirshblum, Contributor: Milwaukee is too talented for Detroit to overcome, and with Marc Gasol, the Raptors somehow look scarier than ever. The Sixers however, come into the playoffs losers of six of their last 10 games including two losses to the Hawks and one to the Mavericks without Luka Doncic. Despite flaunting one of the gaudiest starting lineups in the league, the Sixers lack true depth and have proven to struggle whenever their starting five isn’t on the court.

Many of their top rated five man lineups include at least of one Robert Covington, Landry Shamet, Mike Muscala, and Wilson Chandler, all of whom are no longer on the team. The Nets play with pace, shoot tons of threes (5th in the NBA), and have tremendous team chemistry and camaraderie that has helped them remain positive throughout the year. Is it probable to happen? No. Possible to happen? Absolutely.

Andrew Freedman, Contributor: Lakers fans, shield your eyes. Twenty-two year old D’Angelo Russell is ready to prove to Magic Johnson that he’s a leader. A loyal leader. Not only do I think this has the best chance to be an upset, but I think this will be an upset.

With Brooklyn back in the playoffs for the first time since 2015, they’re entering with a chip on their shoulder. The Sixers, on the other hand, are a bit vulnerable. Elton Brand doesn’t know if Joel Embiid will be ready for the first few games in Philly and if the Nets can snag one of these and go back home with a 1-1 series, Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick will have to compete with an optimistic Barclays Center.

Arjun Balaraman, Contributor: Joel Embiid missed five of the last seven games of the regular season for the Philadelphia 76ers, and CBS reported that there’s a chance he misses his team’s playoff opener against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday afternoon as well. The teams split the season series 2-2, and one of the Nets’ losses was on a last second Jimmy Butler game-winner. If Embiid is out/not at full strength, the Nets have a chance to upset Philadelphia behind D’Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie, and the team’s prolific 3-point shooting.

Joseph McNeil, Contributor: The Boston Celtics have been struggling with inconsistency and turmoil all season. Their chemistry isn’t the best, and they have really underperformed this season. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers have overachieved after Victor Oladipo‘s injury, and have all the confidence in the world. Their chemistry is great, and everyone knows their role on that team. Add in the Marcus Smart injury, and the potential for an upset is very high.