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In a somewhat shocking twist, the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs was pure chalk. The lower seeded team prevaild in each first round series, including in two series that were commonly picked as upsets (those being the two we got wrong; we did however correctly nail the team and number of games in three of eight series).

As far as our Most Important Player (or MIP) from each series, we’re going to credit ourselves with four correct answers, with two possibles (yes, we’re playing by Spades rules). Some of our round one selections were made specifically as a carry-over into the conference semifinals, so it’s not entirely known yet where they will land on the importance spectrum. Regardless, we may be on the precipice of the most exciting second round in recent NBA history. Three of these four series would ordinarily serve as an adequate, if not sexy, conference finals matchup; while the fourth series should just be damn fun to watch.

(3) Philadelphia 76ers vs (2) Toronto Raptors

First Round MIPs: Joel Embiid/Aaron Gordon

Second Round MIP: Joel Embiid

While Aaron Gordon’s performance did little to sway the outcome of the Raptors/Magic series, Embiid play, and extracurricular activities that accompanied it, were of note.

We made it a point to stress the importance of Joel’s knee injury in our first round column. The Process appeared in only four of the six games, posting sub 41/15/71 shooting splits. Even more troublesome was that he logged less than 20 minutes per contest in the four games he actually played. To make matters worse, Toronto center Marc Gasol does this thing where he shuts Embiid down completely whenever they link up.

Trash Ben Simmons stats aside, we previously stated “the bottom line is this team (Philadelphia) cannot survive round two without a healthy Embiid.”

Well, here we are. You can expect Kawhi Leonard to be great, even against the long, athletic wings on the Sixers. And the meteoric rise of Pascal Siakam is one of the best stories in the NBA this season, and has transformed the Raptors entirely by relegating perennial playoff failure Kyle Lowry to third fiddle.

The Sixers are very talented, but were never a good fit, unlike Toronto, whose whole matches the sum of their parts.

Raptors in 6.

(4) Boston Celtics vs (1) Milwaukee Bucks

First Round MIPs: Gordon Hayward/Giannis Antetokounmpo

Second Round MIP: Kyrie Irving

We said the Celtics and Bucks would make quick work of the Pacers and Pistons, which they did. Therefore, the MIPs from their first round series had more to do with the far more difficult matchup that loomed in round two.

Boston and Milwaukee engaged in a memorable round one series last year. Giannis was great (26, 10 & 6), while Khris Middleton torched the Celtics, averaging nearly 25 points per game and shooting a shade under 65% from three over seven games.

Gordon Hayward’s impact will be felt as he gained momentum at the end of the Indiana series. Hayward didn’t play in last year’s series, but neither did Kyrie Irving.

Often erroneously omitted from conversations about the game’s very best, Irving has the big game chops to stand toe-to-toe with Giannis, and anyone else in the league. He’ll have to leverage his advantage over the Milwaukee backcourt and will his team to a W or two in this series.

Thought the C’s have many long bodies they can throw at Giannis, this isn’t the same Bucks team we’ve seen. Antetokounmpo may win MVP, their +8.8 point differential was easily the best in the NBA, and they finished top five in offensive and defensive rating.

Kyrie has the power to tip the scales, but Milwaukee should take a hard earned W.

Bucks in 7.

(1) Golden State Warriors vs (4) Houston Rockets

First Round MIPs: Draymond Green/Chris Paul

MIP: James Harden

1) Beat Utah.

Check.

2) Get out of the Utah series healthy, especially Chris Paul.

Check.

3) Get added rest.

Check.

4) Go into the Warriors series playing your very best basketball.

Well…

You can’t really call a 4-1 series win a failure in any way. But if there’s one thing the Houston Rockets would rather have, it would be their best players actually playing well headed into their toughest contest.

Harden shot only 37% from the field and 35% from three against Utah, while Paul was stuck at 45% and 21% respectively against the Jazz. Let’s be clear: If Harden and Paul aren’t GREAT, they won’t beat the Warriors. Period.

Fortunately for them, Golden State has real problems on their hands.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are nursing ankle injuries, while DeMarcus Cousins is out for the playoffs. We said Draymond Green needed to get right for the later rounds against the Clippers, and like Gordon Hayward, his round one getaway game was stellar. With Cousins out, the Warriors will rely even more heavily on Green’s defense and playmaking abilities.

Now would be a good time to mention the amazing Kevin Durant is averaging 47.5 points in his last two games. The luxury of Golden State not needing a great game from each of their stars every night in order to win was on display against a scrappy Clippers team. But winning three straight titles is something only a few teams have done, and winning four in five years has really only been done by the Celtics of the 60’s.

Do the Dubs have what it takes to withstand another long playoff run knowing Durant may already have his bags packed?

The Rockets really should’ve won last year. Assuming health and luck (and the officials for once) are on their side, the Rockets could do the unthinkable: Beat the Warriors in the second round. But James Harden needs to play the best basketball of his life to do it. History says he won’t, but history is wrong sometimes, right?

Rockets in 7.

(3) Portland Trail Blazers vs (2) Denver Nuggets

First Round MIPs: Damian Lillard/Jamal Murray

MIP: Enes Kanter

HHSR: Damian Lillard needs to finally earn in the postseason some of the effusive praise he receives.

Damian Lillard:

Touché, Lillard.

Dame Dolla was sublime in the closeout game against the Thunder, although his game did leave a little something to be desired on the road in round one. Lillard only had two good quarters out of eight in Oklahoma City (the third quarter of each game—sounds like nitpicking, sure, but seriously, look it up). He’ll have to be more consistent on the road against a Denver team with the NBA’s best home record during the regular season.

The Nuggets barely outlasted the Spurs, and probably should’ve lost the series if not for San Antonino blowing a large lead in Game 2. But the young Nuggs made it through on the backs of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. The Joker’s game is such that you don’t expect to see wild swings in his performance, but it’s incumbent upon Portland to ensure he’s not dominant.

Enter Enes Kanter, who Portland hired off the street midseason. Kanter dominated OKC for stretches of that series, beating Steven Adams like an egg. However, Kanter reportedly has a separated shoulder and his status is unknown for the Denver series.

Without Kanter, it’s hard to see Portland having enough up front to handle the Jokic and Paul Milsap.

Denver in 7, but if Kanter is able to contribute like he did against the Thunder, the Blazers will be in the conference finals.