@KeepTheJuice21 NBA Playoff Picks - 4/17

Although the Bucks are heavy favorites, I think this could be one of the best playoff series. There’s no love lost between these two after a few very charged matchups and some injuries this season. The Bucks haven’t been a defensive focused team this year, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have defensive talent. With Brook Lopez back in the lineup the rim protection has really improved and everyone is well aware of Giannis’ defensive prowess. The Bulls have very good perimeter offense but they can get too reliant on DeMar playing iso ball and the rest of the shooters gets stale. I think the first game at home should be a big Bucks win and a low total from the Bulls.

The Pelicans hit a great stride to end the season and earned a well fought playoff spot. But they match up abysmally to these Suns. Not enough people are talking about the historically great level the Suns have gotten to this season. 23 teams in NBA history have managed to win 64 games in the regular season. 15 won the title. 3 made it to the finals and lost to either Michael Jordan or Lebron. The Suns are poised to add to that list of all time great teams. And I don’t have the data to back this up, but I’m pretty sure none of them faced a team with a 36-46 record in the playoffs. The Suns are too efficient and disciplined to let a team as one dimensional as the Pelicans get close to them. Take this pick to the bank, the Suns could win this by 50.