NBA: 4 bold predictions for the stretch run (that actually make sense)

The Nets win a playoff series

The Brooklyn Nets have one of the deepest and most balanced rosters in the league after their recent trades. They’re loaded with large, versatile defenders like Ben Simmons, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Cam Johnson.

Nic Claxton, their breakout center, is currently leading the league in blocks. A playoff series often depends on how many stops a team can get, and the Nets excel on that front. Furthermore, the Bucks and Warriors finals wins have shown us that 3-and-D wings are absolutely critical to playoff success.

The Nets possess a cohort of some of the better 3-and-D wings in basketball: Royce O’Neal, Mikail Bridges, Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, etc.

If they play well down the stretch they might even have a favorable playoff matchup against the Hawks, Heat, or Knicks and can contend in the Eastern Conference.