NBA Best Picks & Analysis Today - Friday, 4/11

The Bucks are getting Dame back and Bobby Portis has returned, which is massive for them. Kevin Porter Jr. has been huge lately and can come off the bench in a playoff game and drop 20-10-5. I think the Bucks, if healthy, will be extremely dangerous in the playoffs. I like their chances against the Pacers and the Cavs if they both get there. I do not like their chances against Boston.

Segway into my next point… The Cavs do not look great lately. They’re going into the playoffs with a near .500 record the past 10-15 games and a lot of bad losses. I think they better watch out if they have to play the Bulls in the first round. The Bulls have incredibly good guards with Giddey and White and they’ve been playing lights out the past 20 games. I could definitely see the Bulls winning 2+ games in that series and giving them a hard time. Just hope they make it that far!

My guy instinct says Boston is the team to beat again. I think the Cavs are too young still. I think the Thunder are great and will give them a hell of a series, but Boston is so well-rounded and experienced. Health will definitely matter though.

Of all the teams in the West, I feel like the Clippers are flying under the radar. When all their guys play, they literally have no weakness. The defense has been so solid this year. Kawhi is great when healthy and Zubac has played like an All-Star. They essentially have 4 All-Star caliber players in their starting lineup right now and I think everyone is sleeping on them with the superior coaching edge and playing defense (something rare in the West!).

The T’Wolves are dangerous. They can play D and offense. Ant needs to play smarter and we saw that against Memphis. With Dante and Randle back + Gobert, they’re really strong defensively and have really good depth with Naz Reid off the bench. I would not be surprised if they make a run deep — they’ve been significantly better when all their guys have been healthy the end of the year here.