2018 NBA playoffs running thread

Let's get going with some picks:
EAST
QF
Raptors over Wiz in 4
Bucks over Celtics in 6
76ers over Heat in 5
Cavaliers over Pacers in 6

SF
Raptors over Cavaliers in 6
76ers over Bucks in 6

F
Raptors over 76ers in 7

WEST
QF
Rockets over Wolves in 6
Warriors over Spurs in 6
Blazers over Pelicans in 5
Jazz over Thunder in 7

SF
Rockets over Jazz in 6
Warriors over Blazers in 7

F
Rockets over Warriors in 7

FINALS
Raptors over Rockets in 7

 

Wizards over Raptors
Celtics over Bucks
76ers over Heat
Cavs over Pacers

Wizards over Cavs
76ers over Celtics

Wizards over 76ers

Rockets over Wolves
Spurs over Warriors
Pelicans over Blazers
Thunder over Jazz

Thunder over Rockets (D'Antoni is going to be that coach forever)
Pelicans over Spurs

Pelicans over Thunder

Finals: Pelicans over Wizards (Rondo MVP)

 

I'm sticking with Warriors over Cavs in 5.

 

I'll go Rockets over Raptors in six.

 

Raptors over Wizards
Bucks over Celtics
76ers over heat
Cavs over Pacers

Rockets over Wolves
Injured Warriors over injured Spurs
Pelicans over Portland
Thunder over Jazz

Raptors over Cavs
76ers over Bucks

Rockets over Thunder
Warriors over Pelicans

Raptors over 76ers

Rockets over Can't-flip-the-switch Warriors

Rockets over Raptors

 

My opinion is that if the Warriors get to the conference finals, they'll go all the way to the title. As for the East, I wouldn't begin to hazard a guess, due to my complete inability to decide about the Raptors.

 

IIRC, Kyle Lowry is not the greatest playoff performer. Have not watched many Raptors games this season – are they good enough to make it to the Finals?

 

As of right now, one would say the 76ers are the strongest team in the East, but I am haunted by the suspicion, no certainty in my mind that Embiid or Simmons or Fultz or more than one of them will get hurt in the first and/or second rounds.

 

Funny how I went from salivating at the Ws FINALLY making playoffs, to they should win it all, now indifference.

I respect the Rockets for building a really good team (Gordon, Tucker, Paul) but still can’t stand Paul who whines.

It would be great to see someone else win, Jazz for real? Raptors?

 

I doubt the Warriors get back to the Finals. Only four teams have ever reached four consecutive, they enter the playoffs having lost 10 of 17, and their most important player is currently injured. We'll see.

 

Warriors over everyone until they prove otherwise.