After months of inactivity followed by a rare maximum reset bubble in Orlando, the 2020 NBA playoffs chart has finished to the max. On Saturday, the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers will play until the eighth and final seeds in the Western Conference.
Portland will advance with a win, while Memphis will have to win on Saturday and start on Sunday to secure a spot in the playoffs.
The rest of the group is ready, and the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets will start the playoffs monday afternoon.
Here you will find a review of the opening games, the most recent odds of the league, according to Caesars Palace, a preview of some of the favorites of the final and predictions for the last 4 groups of the postseason.
2020 NBA Playoff Support, Round 1
Eastern Conference
8. Orlando Magic vs. Orlando Magic 1. Milwaukee Bucks
7. Brooklyn Nets vs. 2. Raptors de Toronto
6. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 3. Boston Celtics
5. Miami Heat vs. 4. Indiana Pacers
Western Conference
8. Memphis / Portland vs. Portland 1. Los Angeles Lakers
7. Dallas Mavericks vs. Dallas Mavericks 2. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Utah Jazz vs. Utah Jazz 3. Denver Nuggets
5. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Oklahoma City 4. Houston Rockets
Latest championship odds
Los Angeles Lakers 2-1
Los Angeles Clippers 3-1
Milwaukee Bucks 3-1
Toronto Raptors 11-1
Boston Celtics 11-1
Houston Rockets 12-1
Denver Nuggets 20-1
Portland Trail Blazers 30-1
Oklahoma City Thunder 35-1
Miami Heat 35-1
Dallas Mavericks 40-1
Philadelphia 76ers 50-1
Utah Jazz 75-1
Indiana Pacers 150-1
Orlando Magic 500-1
Brooklyn Nets 1000-1
Memphis Grizzlies 1000-1
Los Angeles Lakers 2-1
The Los Angeles Lakers moved from a regular season in 2018-19 to the most productive team in the Western Conference this year. The addition of Anthony Davis was a major component of the change, but a healthy LeBron James and a rapid structure of chemistry between the two were vital elements of the equation.
However, there is a questionable intensity behind James and Davis, especially with the withdrawal of Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo that has not yet appeared in the bubble by injury. Offensively, the Lakers were in disarray in the age of restart planting almost every single time Davis was cold.
“His offense is worse than that of the Orlando Wizards, and how many Wizards rookies can you call right now?” wrote NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin just over a week ago.
However, the offense showed life in the 124-121 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday, largely thanks to Kyle Kuzma’s contributions.
Of course, the Lakers also have James and Davis, not to mention the fourth defensive in the league. They have little trouble navigating the first lap.
Milwaukee Bucks 3-1
The Milwaukee Bucks are the team to win at the Eastern Conference due to the presence of probably MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Although he was suspended for hitting Moe Wagner of the Washington Wizards, he will return to the line-up opposite the Orlando Magic, although some games are a disappointing punishment.
“Giannis was treated like a star because anyone else would have at least two or three games, right?” ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins said in NBC Sports Washington’s The Jump (h/t Ryan Homler). “A suspension of a game for hitting someone? It’s professional basketball. I don’t think it’s fair. A game.”
Even if Antetokounmpo missed the first game of the series, the Bucks must fight magic.
Milwaukee holds the NBA’s most productive record for a reason. The Bucks play perfect team basketball and all of Antetokounmpo’s individual greatness. Even though they’ve fallen behind in some games, the Bucks will fall to Orlando in a seven-game series.
Like the Lakers, the Bucks are expected to make the first rounds of the playoffs. Don’t be surprised if you’re both in the final.
Predictions for convention championships
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers
Milwaukee Bucks v Toronto Raptors
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