We finally have the final semifinal round set in the NBA playoffs. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic in Game 7 to advance from the first round of the playoffs. They will face the Boston Celtics in the next round. The winner of this series will face the victor of the New York and Indiana series. Boston blew out the Heat in game 5 to wrap up their series last Wednesday. The Celtics will have six days of rest before kicking off their series with Cleveland on Tuesday. We all know that Kristaps Porzingis will miss the entire series against Cleveland. When will Jarrett Allen return from his rib injury? How will this affect Boston seeing they have to deal with Evan Mobley. Can Boston continue to roll? Will Cleveland find a way to get past Boston? Who will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals?

Boston has been the best team in basketball throughout the entire season. The Celtics have been on a mission ever since losing to Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals. They made moves to make this team better. Bringing in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis were great moves by the front office. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are both averaging over 21 points a game in the playoffs. Derrick White has become their third guy by averaging over 22 points per game in the first round. Al Horford has stepped in nicely in the absence of Porzingis. Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard contributed as well. Jrue Holiday continues to anchor the defense as his scoring isn’t needed as much. Will this Celtics team continue to roll past the Cavs? How will Boston defend their twin towers in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley?

Cleveland is coming off a tough and grueling seven game series against the Magic. The biggest concern heading into this series is the health of Jarrett Allen. Allen suffered a rib injury and missed the final three games of the Magic series. Donovan Mitchell turned into Superman in those final two games by scoring a total of 89 points. Mitchell will need that kind of production and more if they are going to beat Boston. Jarrett Allen averaged 17 points and 14 boards before being injured. Darius Garland struggled throughout the Orlando series, and he will need to be in All-Star form. Evan Mobley was a shot blocking machine throughout that Magic series and he’ll need to continue that. Can Cleveland find a way to shock the Celtics and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals?

Who Wins?

Boston will be the favorite with or without having Kristaps Porzingis. If Derrick White continues to play at the level he did in the first round the Celtics will win easily. We already know that Jaylyn Brown and Jayson Tatum are going to put up numbers. Boston will throw multiple people at Donovan Mitchell to make him earn every shot he takes. It will also take a team effort in helping crash the boards because the Cavs are a good rebounding team. Cleveland having Jarrett Allen will be a plus because he does so much on both sides of the ball. Donovan Mitchell will need help more than ever against this Boston team. Can Darius Garland return to All-Star form against this tough Celtics defense? Cleveland will put up a battle, but I’m picking the Celtics to win. Boston Win Series 4-2

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