So Eastern Conference Semifinal predictions thread here.

Read the thread below! #NBA #MIAVSMIL #MILVSMIA #BOSVSTOR #TORVSBOS

Bucks Vs Heat
Heat in 6

Part of me wants to trust Giannis and the Bucks. Yet the Heat are a really really good team with a great coach in Spolstra who has been there and won rings before.

I expect to see more Heat Zone defense as they really didn't play any against Indiana. Bam has shown this season that he can contain Giannis to a degree. With the heat having good depth in Iguadola, Herro and Nunn (Even though he hasn't really seen the court).....

and with their great defense with Butler, Bam and Iguadola it's hard not to choose them.

Another Heat advantages is Eric Bledsoe. Eric Bledsoe offers no spacing and is ranked in the 29th percentile in Catch and Shoot three's which kills Giannis spacing.

Finally with Robinson shooting fire it's critical the Bucks get on him quickly. Letting him get out is worst case scenario.

Now onto the Bucks

For the Bucks; Giannis gravity should create open shots for which they'll need to be fire off fast. In addition, Budenholzer needs to be quicker making adjustments. All to often in his numerous playoff runs we've seen him drop games because of his inability to make adjustments.

I also dont trust Khris Middleton as the Bucks #2. You need someone who can create their own shot reliably to take the pressure off Giannis and while Khris can create his own shot, it's really not his forte. Not to mention he's struggled shooting in the playoffs this year

Concurrently, Eric Bledsoe always shrinks in playoff basketball and while he provides good defense and ball-handling, he's always had issues with catch and shoot shots and that wrecks the Bucks spacing and allows his man to sag off and get near Giannis.

Finally, Giannis is gonna have to go out there and be able sink his jump shots. The Heat will not let him feast at the rim or even get to the rim. He needs to be a better shooter.

Overall I think Budenholzers being slower in making adjustments will kill them. Spoelstra is a better coach and knows he has to turn this into a half-court game. While Giannis will get his looks the Heats depth is just too much.

Heat in 6

*Spoelstra would be smart to keep the game half court and not a transition fast paced game too

Now to the Raptors vs Celtics

Raptors in 7

For the Celtics the loss of Hayward stings a lot. He's someone that at his best can be your #2 but he doesn't need to be in this Celtics team. This should see Smart move into the Lineup and provide some grit to the Celtics starting 5

One thing to watch is Tatum. Post all star break he has looked like a player that can be the best player on a championship team. How he plays against a great defender in OG will be interesting to watch. Look for Stevens to get OG off of him and get him on smaller players like FVV

It will also be interesting to see Kemba play real playoff basketball (His time in Charlotte was getting swept). How he can play against the backcourt of Lowry and FVV will be interesting. He's gonna need to be on his game if the Celtics want any chance.

More importantly his facilitating will be key. I think we will see him be playing more aggressive passes for his teammates. He's able to create his own shot well so it will be a difficult matchup for whoever is tasked to guard him.

One last note is the Celtics should keep this game half court. The Raptors are great in transition, half-court offense is something they could be better at.

Now the Raptors

Plainly put Siakem needs to be better. He worries me as now the defense focuses on him. He needs to utilize his length to it's fullest. He's 6'9 use it to your advantage to get your shots over the Celtics. More face up plays as well

OG will need to play great defense against the scoring hot Tatum. It means going over screen getting in his face and being physical with him. Don't take dumb fouls, OG needs to play smart and effective

The Raptors bench needs to play the Celtics bench off the floor. Utilize the fact that you are more skilled and flat out better than them.

Nurse also needs to get these boys running. Get easy buckets in the transition game and get back right away. Lowry needs to control the tempo off this game

Final point, while Lowry is the most valuable Raptor Siakam is the best. Siakam needs to play like he is the best player in this series. The Celtics defense will be even stouter with Smart in the lineup in the halfcourt. Finish your layups and knock down your three's

If he doesn't play as well as he can and this slump continues the Raptors won't last more than 5 games. They need Siakam to be at his best if they want any chance of winning.

Overall this is a close series with two great teams and two great coaches. Adjustments will be made periodically but the Raptors need Siakam.

Even though Nurse will have Tatum, Stevens will get him away from OG at every situation possible.

Still the Raptors depth will be just enough to get them past the Celtics in what will be a close series.

Raptors in 7

End of thread #NBAPlayoffs #NBA #NBAONTNT #NBAONESPN