2022 NBA Playoff Predictions

`My predictions for each series in this years playoffs plus my selections for awards:

Conference Quarterfinals

4 Dallas Mavericks vs 5 Utah Jazz

This is practically a toss up. I think I’ll give the edge to Utah because Doncic will miss Game 1 and possibly more, while Utah has a huge advantage at center. I say Utah will win in 6 games.

4 Philadelphia 76ers vs 5 Toronto Raptors

While Toronto has had a surprisingly strong season, I like Philly to win this one. The 76ers have more star power, and Embiid is gonna feed down low. Philadelphia wins in 6 games.

3 Golden State Warriors vs 6 Denver Nuggets

Two things worry me here for the Warriors. Steph Curry is injured and might not be 100%, and they don’t have anyone to guard Jokic except for maybe Draymond Green. I think the Warriors will win in a close 7 game series because they have more depth.

3 Milwaukee Bucks vs 6 Chicago Bulls

The Bucks have been playing great lately. The Bulls have been playing pretty bad, and they haven’t been healthy in a long time. I like the Bucks to sweep.

2 Memphis Grizzlies vs 7 Minnesota Timberwolves

This is an interesting matchup, but the Grizzlies have Ja Morant. Both teams have a lot of talent, but the Grizzlies are more polished all around. I say Memphis wins in 5 games.

2 Boston Celtics vs 7 Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are healthy, and Ben Simmons could come back during this series. The Celtics are still without Robert Williams. I like the Nets to win in 6 games.

1 Phoenix Suns vs 8 New Orleans Pelicans

The Suns are the best team in the NBA while the Pelicans are well below .500. The Pelicans have been playing better lately, but not at the Suns’ level. I think Phoenix will sweep.

1 Miami Heat vs 8 Atlanta Hawks

The Heat are a great all around team, but the Hawks have star power unlike most 8 seeds. That should be enough to get them at least 1 win, but I like the Heat in 5.

Conference Semifinals

1 Phoenix Suns vs 5 Utah Jazz: Phoenix in 5
1 Miami Heat vs 4 Philadelphia 76ers: Miami in 6
2 Memphis Grizzlies vs 3 Golden State Warriors: Memphis in 6
3 Milwaukee Bucks vs 7 Brooklyn Nets: Brooklyn in 7

Conference Finals

1 Phoenix Suns vs 2 Memphis Grizzlies: Phoenix in 6
1 Miami Heat vs 7 Brooklyn Nets: Brooklyn in 6

Finals

1 Phoenix Suns vs 7 Brooklyn Nets: Phoenix in 6
Finals MVP: Devin Booker

Awards

MVP

Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)

Defensive Player of the Year

Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)
Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics)
Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)

Most Improved Player

Dejounte Murray (San Antonio Spurs)
Jordan Poole (Golden State Warriors)
Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Desmond Bane (Memphis Grizzlies)
Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)

Rookie of the Year

Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
Herb Jones (New Orleans Pelicans)
Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic)

Coach of the Year

Monty Williams (Phoenix Suns)
Ime Udoka (Boston Celtics)
Taylor Jenkins (Memphis Grizzlies)
Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat)
J.B. Bickerstaff (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Sixth Man of the Year

Tyler Herro (Miami Heat)
Cameron Johnson (Phoenix Suns)
Luke Kennard (Los Angeles Clippers)
Bogdan Bogdanovic (Atlanta Hawks)
Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers)

ALL NBA 1st Team

G: Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)

G: Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)

F: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)

F: Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)

C: Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)

ALL NBA 2nd Team

G: Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)

G: Demar DeRozan (Chicago Bulls)

F: Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets)

F: LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)

C: Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)

ALL NBA 3rd Team

G: Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks)

G: Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz)

F: Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat)

F: Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)

C: Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)

ALL NBA Honorable Mentions

G: Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)

G: Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns)

F: Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)

F: Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)

C: Karl Anthony-Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)

C: Jaret Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers)