NBA Playoffs: Semifinals Picks

Welcome to the Truda Report everybody. Today I'll be giving my picks for some of the NBA Playoffs Semifinals match ups. Also, sorry for not posting lately. I am an avid football fan so I spent all weekend tracking the draft, as well as researching the Miami Dolphins selections (I'm a Dolphins fan). I'll be sure to get back on track this week though. Make sure to follow me on Instagram @thetrudareport for updates on when I post, and also so you can request new topics.

Update on my picks:
Game: 22-8
Series: 7-1

Washington Wizards @ Boston Celtics:
The series started yesterday, with the Celtics overcoming an early deficit of 17 points to go on and win 123-111. This win doesn't affect my prediction though. I'm taking the Wizards in this series. I've liked them all year long and I think that they are the second best team in the East (Cavs are number one). The series is definitely going seven games, and I think ultimately a home loss in Game 7 will be the end of the Celtics. They showed that they are vulnerable at home during their series against the Bulls, and I expect that to carry over into their games versus the Wizards.

Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers:
Last year the Raptors were swept by the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals, but I don't see that happening again this series. Cleveland had trouble with a team as poor as the Pacers, and all season their defense has been atrocious (107.2 points allowed per game, which is 20th in the NBA). I'm still taking the Cavaliers to win, but not in a sweep. I think the series goes 6 games, with the Cavs winning tonight to take a 1-0 lead. LeBron James will not be denied another trip to The Finals, so do not expect an upset this series.

Houston Rockets @ San Antonio Spurs:
This, in my opinion, is going to be a very interesting series. I'm taking the Spurs in 7, but the Rockets have the talent to win against the Spurs. On any night Houston can shoot you out of the building, but I think that the Spurs defense will be able to limit that enough to win. Popovich's squad allowed only 98.1 ppg, making them the 2nd best defense in the league. Tonight I'm taking the Spurs to win, mostly due to the home court advantage. I like how both teams play at home, so I'm not expecting many, if any, road wins. We'll see how it all plays out starting tonight.