The Eastern Conference first round has been an absolute gauntlet. For just the second time since 2003, we are looking at three Game 7s in a single opening round, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. We’ve got the top seeds sweating and young rosters trying to kick the door down.
Here is the breakdown of the madness heading into Sunday.
(1) Pistons vs. (8) Magic: The Ultimate Trap?
The Detroit Pistons dominated the regular season, but they are staring down history. They were nearly the seventh top seed to ever fall to an 8-seed after trailing 3-1 in this series.
- The Vibe: Orlando had a massive lead in Game 6 and looked ready to plan their second-round travel. Then, the shooting vanished in the 4th quarter. If not for that one bad frame, this series would already be over.
- The Breakdown: Detroit is still a young team that hasn’t truly proven they can handle this level of pressure yet. Orlando has shown they can outplay the #1 seed for long stretches of this series.
- The Prediction: Magic pull off the massive upset. They won’t let another 4th quarter slip away, and the Pistons’ youth finally catches up to them in a high-pressure Game 7.
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers: The Heavyweight Fight
This is the rivalry that never ends. Philly hasn’t beaten Boston in a playoff series in decades, but they have never looked more dangerous as a 7-seed.
- The Vibe: Paul George has been a force, taking the pressure off the rest of the roster. He is the engine making this Philly machine run right now.
- The Breakdown: Boston has the home-court advantage, but they’ve struggled to contain the perimeter. It’s going to take a legendary effort to stop the momentum Philly has built.
- The Prediction: Celtics win. Paul George will likely have another monster night, but Boston usually finds a way to survive at the Garden when their backs are against the wall.
(4) Cavs vs. (5) Raptors: Hunger vs. Experience
Cleveland had the chance to end this, but Game 6 was a grind. Even after fighting back from a deficit to force OT, they couldn’t find the finishing touch to close out the series.
- The Vibe: The Raptors are a young, hungry group that doesn’t seem intimidated by the moment. They are playing with a “nothing to lose” energy that is dangerous in a Game 7.
- The Breakdown: It is incredibly hard to dismiss the backcourt pedigree of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell. In a winner-take-all scenario, star power usually rises to the top.
- The Prediction: Cavs move on. While the Raptors’ energy is impressive, the veteran experience of Mitchell and Harden will be the stabilizing force Cleveland needs to advance.
Which of these three games are you most excited to see tip off?
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