Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 Preview

 Jimmy Butler dropped 47 points in game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals leading the Miami Heat to a 111-103 victory. This forced a game 7 with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line. This was a must win for Miami and they played like it. Butler was aggressive from the start looking for his shot; which was something did not do in the previous game. Also, one of the unsung heroes of the game was Kyle Lowry who scored 18 points including hitting 4 threes.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had decent scoring games scoring 30 and 20 points but their turnover woes reared its head again combining for 11 turnovers. This helped the Heat to get their biggest lead of the night 13 points in the 3rd quarter. The question is what can we expect in game 7 on Sunday in Miami.

The Miami Heat I believe will find a way to get the job done and advance to the NBA Finals. Jimmy Butler will have the Heat ready, they are a veteran team who is eager to get back to the NBA Finals. I think that the game 7 pressure will be too much for the Celtics who I believe are similar to the Oklahoma City Thunder team from 2012 who had a great young core but ultimately only went to 1 NBA Finals. I like Boston but Jaylen Brown and Tatum have not had a great game together throughout this entire series. The only way Boston wins is if they can limit their turnovers. I predict the Miami Heat win game 7 and advance to the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Jimmy Butler will win the inaugural Eastern Conference Finals MVP.

NBA Conference Finals Takeaway

 The NBA’s Conference Finals is underway with both the Eastern and Western conferences having both played 2 games. I will be giving my thoughts on each series so far and how I see the series ultimately going.

Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks ( Warriors 2-0)

The Golden State Warriors completed a great comeback last night when they came back down from 16 points down at halftime and ended up winning which included a 43 point 4th quarter. The Warriors have thrown numerous defenders at Dallas Star Luka Doncic making him work for everything. Luka had a great game 42 points including a 18 point second half. Unfortunately for the Mavericks the Warriors woke up and shot 46% from 3  point range and 61% from the field. Steph Curry and Jordan Poole took over the game in the 2nd half. Curry dropped 12 and Poole 16 helping to lead and take over the game after halftime. Kevon Looney played a great role providing his usual rebounding with 12 but he also poured in 21 points. With Looney being able to be an offensive contributor the Warriors are primed to go back to the NBA Finals. It will be interesting to see how the Mavericks bounce back from this collapse in game 2. With that being said, the Warriors will sweep the Mavericks; Steph is eager to become the newly established Western Conference Finals MVP and ultimately the NBA Finals MVP.

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics ( Series tied 1-1)

The Celtics have been able to get off to a  traffic start in both games. Jayson Tatum has been shooting well and the Celtics are shooting the 3 point shot well in this series. The Heat have had terrible transition defense so far this series. This has allowed the Celtics to get out for easy fast break points and has put tremendous pressure on the Heat’s defense to be perfect when facing a deficit at halftime  of both games. Game 1 the Heat was able to overcome being down 8 at halftime and their defense sparked their victory. Game 2 they were down 25 at halftime and were never able to get back into the game. In the 2nd half both teams scored 57 points so if the game was closer in the first half who knows how the game would have played out. With both games ultimately being blowouts my takeaway is essential if Miami comes out and plays defense like they are capable of they should win the series. I predict Miami will win in 6 games.

GAME 7 PREVIEW!!!!

   The most exciting two words in sports are Game 7! This afternoon the NBA will have 2 game 7’s with a trip to the Conference on the line. The two matchups feature tremendous star power making it a dream scenario for the NBA. In the Western Conference you have the best two players in the NBA 25 and under with the Dallas Mavericks; who are led by Luka Doncic facing off against Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns. In the Eastern Conference you have Giannis Antetokounmpo and the  reigning NBA Champions the Milwaukee Bucks; going against Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics. I will take a look back at both series and also will make a prediction for the games to see who moves on to the Conference Finals.

Boston Celtics VS Milwaukee Bucks

The Celtics and Bucks have alternated each game of this series. The Celtics came out with their backs against the wall in game 6 and Jayson Tatum showed his superstar potential by leading the Celtics to the victory. Tatum scored 46 points which included him hitting 7 three pointers. The Celtics have seemed to find a way to defend Giannis by getting him in foul trouble and using his aggressiveness against. Many times he barrels down the lane so the Celtics have done a great job of anticipating his drive and causing to commit offensive fouls. The key to game 7 will be can the role players show up for Milwaukee if they show up and give Giannis help they will have a chance in the game. For Boston the key will be Marcus Smart, if he can play within himself and not to try do anything extra the Celtics will win the game comfortably. I predict the Celtics win 112 - 103 with Tatum leading the way with 30 points with 5 three pointers made.

Phoenix Suns VS Dallas Mavericks

This Suns and Mavericks series has been the definition of home court advantage. The home teams won every game this series. The previous 3 games since Chris Paul’s Birthday ironically he has struggled with turnovers. With Paul turning the ball over at an alarming rate with him having more turnovers compared to field goals made over the past 3 games 11 Turnovers to 9 Field Goals made. Luka Doncic has been tremendous this entire series but unfortunately the other Mavs players have not shown up on the road. With that being said, I predict the Suns win 111-100 with Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker both contributing 20 plus points. Chris Paul will take care of the ball and have minimal turnovers. Luka will be fantastic but he will not be enough to overcome the Suns. 

Brook's Series Altering Play!!!!

 2:52 seconds into the first quarter of game 2 a series altering play was made by the Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillion Brooks. Brooks committed a Flagrant Foul against Warriors guard Gary Payton II. This resulted in Brooks being ejected from the game and Payton II to be taken out of the game with a fractured elbow. Payton is ruled out for the rest of the second round of the playoffs and Western Conference Finals if the Warriors advance. Brooks is suspended for tonight's game 3. 

Payton II is one of the few defensive stoppers that the Warriors have and with him out for the series it can drastically change the Warriors defensive rotations and efficiency. With no Gary Payton II this will put pressure on Klay Thompson to try and turn into that phenomenal two way player he was prior to his injuries 2 years ago. This will likely be difficult and can mean more paint points for Ja Morant who has been incredible the first two games of the series scoring 30 plus in both games. Morant has the ability to drive and slither his way to the paint with his aggressive driving ability. In addition, with the absence of Payton II it leaves a void when guarding the trio of guards  that  Memphis plays in key moments and can lead to Memphis exploiting mismatches for drive and kick situations.

The Warriors will put up a great fight against Memphis and put in the effort of a champion.

If Memphis has learned not to start slow on the road like they did against Minnesota then you’ll see the Grizzlies and Ja Morant in the Western Conference Finals. I believe the injury to Payton II is too much for the Warriors to overcome and will ultimately fall to the Grizzlies in 7 games. The question is based on Brooks’ actions does this taint any possible championship run that Memphis may make.