NBA Playoffs: 9 bold but completely reasonable predictions

The New York Knicks will upset the Clevland Cavaliers in the first round

All the information that I have about the first-round series between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers tells me that the favorite (the Cavs, the 4th seed) is the likely winner. However, I just feel like it’s been somewhat of a special season for the Knicks and I have a hard time believing that it’s suddenly going to end in the first round. On the other hand, I can probably say the same thing about the Cavs and how their season has gone.

Assuming that Julius Randle will be back at some point in this series, hopefully for Game 1 or 2, I do believe that the Knicks will have a great chance to win this series. There’s an argument to be made that New York is peaking at the right time. The one true concern I have for the Knicks heading into this series is their unproven defense.

I believe that whichever team is better (and perhaps more consistent) on that end of the floor is going to end up winning. Cleveland is coming into this series with the No. 1 defensive rating in the league. The Knicks are going to have to bring it on both ends of the floor to win this series. Ultimately, I believe they’ll have just enough to pull off the “upset.”