ESPN expert team predicts 4-group matchup in the second round: Cavaliers are still optimistic about losing G1, Thunder Celtics are one-sided

On May 6, after the Rockets were eliminated, the first round of the West has now ended. The second round of the duel is: the Thunder in the West vs. the fourth Nuggets in the Sixth Timberwolves in the Sixth Warriors in the Seventh, the Cavaliers in the East vs. the fourth Pacers in the Fourth Pacers, and the second in the East vs. the third Knicks. None of the top four in the East was defeated by the lower team, while two teams in the West completed the down team. Today ESPN convened their expert group to predict the 4-group matchup in the second round. Let's take a look.

Caval Pacers

Although the Pacers have won the G1 of the series, ESPN's 12-player expert team predicts that the Cavaliers will eventually advance to the second round. No one is optimistic that the Pacers will win, and 10 of them predict that the Cavaliers will advance 4-2, and 2 predict that the Cavaliers will advance 4-3. I think the reason for the Cavaliers' loss in the first game was Garland's absence. He suffered a toe injury. It is estimated that Garland will return in the next game. After all, he has lost a home game, but it is probably not easy for the Cavaliers to win the series because Hunter was injured in G1 in the series.

The Cavaliers have obvious advantages and disadvantages. They have strong offensive firepower, but the Pacers' offensive firepower is not inferior to them. Moreover, the Cavaliers' double towers have the body advantage facing the Pacers, so they cannot use it. After all, their opponents have the inside duo of Sika and Turner. The Cavaliers are proud of substitute firepower, so the Pacers can also compete, so I think this wave of ESPN prediction is reasonable. Even if the Cavaliers finally advance, they will fight at least 6 games. The Pacers made it to the Eastern Conference Final last season, and their strength was underestimated. The first game of the series between the Celtics and the Knicks will start today. When writing this article, the series between the two sides has not started yet. In fact, many teams do not value the series G1. They will regard G1 as an opportunity to find the opponent's weaknesses. The ESPN expert team's prediction for this round of series is that all 12 people are optimistic about the Celtics' promotion. Four people predict that the Celtics will sweep the gentleman, six people predict that the Celtics will advance to 6 games, and two people predict that the Celtics will defeat the Knicks in tie-break. To be honest, I think it is unlikely that the Knicks can fight the Celtics to reach tie-break.

These two teams can actually play clearly now. The biggest disadvantage of the Celtics is the inside line. They can't defend against Towns. Their biggest advantage is that there are many stars and excellent substitute lineups. The Knicks' core players did not easily fight with their opponents in the first round, so physical fitness and health are also hidden dangers. After all, Thibodeau loves the core too much. The Celtics this season are indeed not as strong as last year, but it should not be a big problem to defeat the Knicks. The Double Tanhua is better than in the past few years. They are very good on both offense and defense.

Thunder Nuggets

The G1 in the second round of the Western Conference will also start today. The Nuggets fought in the tiebreak and defeated the Clippers. Their physical fitness reached its limit. Friends who have seen the G7 know that Jokic's condition in the seventh game was obviously not as good as in the past few games. If it weren't Westbrook, the Nuggets might have lost the game, while the Thunder swept the Grizzlies early to advance to the second round. They have very abundant physical fitness. The ESPN expert team predicts that 5 people believe that the Thunder will solve the Nuggets in 6 games, and 5 people predict that the Thunder will defeat the Nuggets in tiebreak. In the end, all 10 people were optimistic about Thunder's advancement.

Are the Nuggets so strong? Or is it that I think too strongly about the Thunder. The Thunder defeated the Grizzlies in the first round. Except for Alexander, G4, who plays seriously, he is paddling all the time. The Thunder has a top star who can compete with Jokic. Their lineup thickness, talent and athletic ability are even better. The Thunder's terrifying backcourt defense group will also defeat Murray and Westbrook. The Nuggets' only advantage seems to be the size of Jokic and Aaron Gordon. Although they will not be swept, it is difficult to advance.

Warriors Timberwolves

Both teams have completed the lower-bang top, but in comparison, the Timberwolves are easier. They swept the Lakers in the first round, while the Warriors narrowly defeated the Rockets in a tiebreak. The Timberwolves are obviously more dominant in physical fitness, and the Timberwolves are younger. The state of the three old Warriors is worrying. The ESPN expert team's prediction for this round of series is that 10 people predict the Timberwolves will win, and only 1 person predicts the Warriors will win, and 7 of them predict that the Timberwolves will defeat the Warriors 4-3 to advance. The two sides are also very close in strength.

Compared to the Lakers, the Warriors still have two centers that can be used, so the Warriors will not suffer much in size, but they may not be able to keep up with the Timberwolves in terms of athletic ability. After all, each opponent can run and jump. There are many variables in this round of series. To be honest, I think the Warriors still have a chance. After all, after Gobert is chasing dreams, he may be afraid, and Curry may also name Gobert. If the Timberwolves want to overcome their opponents in this round of series, Edwards must play a better performance than the first round.

Speaking of this, what do you want to say about these 4 sets of duels? Welcome to leave a message for discussion.