Now that the 2023 Playoffs brackets are starting to settle in, I can also began my predictions in terms of who I believe will emerge victorious. I do believe that sometimes, the better team may not emerge victorious because the NBA powers-that-be deem otherwise. So I'm going to split each series prediction into two categories, "Fair and Share" and "What Will the NBA Do". The first centers on who I think will win the series, barring (additional) major injuries. And that second category is just in case I also feel that the NBA may favor a particular squad, even if they aren't better. And to note, a higher bracket positioning doesn't actually mean that a team is superior to another. For instance in some cases, such as has been recently pointed out with the Bucks and Celtics, the former may have a better record, but the latter matches up against them particularly well.
HAWKS (41-40) vs HEAT (43-38)
If you would have told me at the beginning of this season that the Hawks would have finished 8th in the East, I would've had a hard time believing it. I rather thought they would be contenders, contingent on Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, two alpha PGs, working things out in the backcourt. But not only aren't they contenders, but also, you would have to believe looking at their record, were never able to incorporate Murray as idealized, even if he is averaging over 20ppg. In fact what it rather looks like his presence is negatively affecting John Collins' game.
FAIR & SQUARE
Tbh, I haven't seen the Hawks play enough this season to really pin down what their problem is. But logic would dictate that if they haven't gotten their shit together by now, it's not suddenly going to happen against the Heat, a team who, despite disappointing this season also, at least know their identity.
WHAT WILL THE NBA DO?
I don't see any reason why the NBA would interfere in this one. But I would presume they'd want Miami to prevail over Atlanta for a number of reasons, such as the Heat being more popular and also EC playoffs' fixtures.
RAPTORS (40-41) VS. BULLS (39-42)
Two more teams that disappointed this season. Well, at least the Raptors are a disappointment to me, because I thought after getting a quality bigman (Jakob Poeltl) they were going to prove themselves contenders. Instead, it's as if his presence fukedup their chemistry. Oh well, no one was really expecting them to do anything this season anyway, I guess except the owners themselves, since they're reportedly on the verge of sacking Nick Nurse.
FAIR & SQUARE
I have to give this one to the Bulls, because their stars, and especially DeRozan, are known to be more clutch than those of the Raptors. Imagine that, DeMar knocking his old squad out of the playoffs.
WHAT WILL THE NBA DO?
I also believe the NBA wants the Bulls to win. Would they go as far as to rig for them? In their eyes I don't think they'd be much of a difference between Chicago or Toronto potentially making the playoffs. But what should be remembered is that the Bulls got all but decimated by the Bucks - who they would once again go to face in the First Round if they make it past the play-ins - during the 2022 Playoffs.
CONCLUSION
Miami also convincingly handled the Hawks the last year, which is presumably why they went out in got Dejounte in the first place. So if nothing else, this play-in should act as a litmus test as to whether that experiment has been successful. In other words, if they beat the Heat it may be considered a success and something to build further on. But if not, well, don't blame the shit on John Collins.
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