The 2017 NBA Playoffs are now in full swing. Scroll down to see our predictions for the entire playoffs.
2017 NBA Playoffs predictions: SB Nation’s writers pick every series
Who will win each playoff series, and who will be the best player? SB Nation’s writers lay out their picks and evaluate them as we go.
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Our pickers:
- Paul Flannery, SB Nation senior writer
- Mike Prada, SB Nation NBA editor
- Tom Ziller, SB Nation NBA columnist
- Whitney Medworth, SB Nation assistant NBA editor
- Kristian Winfield, SB Nation staff writer
- Tim Cato, SB Nation staff writer
- Zito Madu, SB Nation staff writer
- Representatives from the relevant SB Nation NBA team blogs
HERE ARE SB NATION’S CONFERENCE FINALS PICKS
SB Nation’s Warriors vs. Spurs predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Warriors | 5 | Kevin Durant |
| Mike Prada | Warriors | 5 | Draymond Green |
| Tom Ziller | Warriors | 4 | Draymond Green |
| Whitney Medworth | Warriors | 5 | Kevin Durant |
| Kristian Winfield | Warriors | 5 | Stephen Curry |
| Tim Cato | Warriors | 5 | Stephen Curry |
| Zito Madu | Warriors | 5 | Stephen Curry |
| Golden State of Mind | Warriors | 6 | Stephen Curry |
| Pounding the Rock | Warriors | 6 | Kevin Durant |
SB Nation’s Cavaliers vs. Celtics predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Cavaliers | 6 | LeBron James |
| Mike Prada | Cavaliers | 5 | LeBron James |
| Tom Ziller | |||
| Whitney Medworth | Cavaliers | 5 | LeBron James |
| Kristian Winfield | Cavaliers | 4 | Kyrie Irving |
| Tim Cato | Cavaliers | 5 | LeBron James |
| Zito Madu | Cavaliers | 4 | LeBron James |
| Fear the Sword | Cavaliers | 5 | LeBron James |
| Celtics Blog | Cavaliers | 6 | LeBron James |
HERE WERE SB NATION’S SECOND-ROUND PICKS
Wizards vs. Celtics
- ACTUAL WINNER: Celtics in 7
- ACTUAL SERIES MVP: Al Horford
- CORRECT EVERYTHING: Nobody
- CORRECT WINNER: Paul Flannery, Whitney Medworth, Kristian Winfield, Celtics Blog.
- CORRECT NUMBER OF GAMES: Paul Flannery, Whitney Medworth, Kristian Winfield, Celtics Blog.
SB Nation’s Wizards vs. Celtics predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Celtics | 7 | Avery Bradley |
| Mike Prada | Wizards | 6 | John Wall |
| Tom Ziller | Wizards | 6 | John Wall |
| Whitney Medworth | Celtics | 7 | Isaiah Thomas |
| Kristian Winfield | Celtics | 7 | Avery Bradley |
| Tim Cato | Wizards | 6 | John Wall |
| Zito Madu | Wizards | 6 | John Wall |
| Celtics Blog | Celtics | 7 | Isaiah Thomas |
| Bullets Forever | Wizards | 6 | John Wall |
Raptors vs. Cavaliers
- ACTUAL WINNER: Raptors in 4.
- ACTUAL SERIES MVP: LeBron James
- CORRECT EVERYTHING: Nobody
- CORRECT WINNER: Everybody
- CORRECT NUMBER OF GAMES: Nobody
SB Nation’s Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Cavaliers | 6 | LeBron James |
| Mike Prada | Cavaliers | 7 | LeBron James |
| Tom Ziller | Cavaliers | 7 | LeBron James |
| Whitney Medworth | Cavaliers | 5 | LeBron James |
| Kristian Winfield | Cavaliers | 6 | LeBron James |
| Tim Cato | Cavaliers | 7 | Kyrie Irving |
| Zito Madu | Cavaliers | 5 | Kyrie Irving |
| Fear the Sword | Cavaliers | 6 | Kyrie Irving |
| Raptors HQ | Cavaliers | 6 | LeBron James |
Rockets vs. Spurs
- ACTUAL WINNER: Spurs in 6.
- ACTUAL SERIES MVP: Gregg Popovich. (Yeah, this is a cop out)
- CORRECT EVERYTHING: Nobody
- CORRECT WINNER: Tom Ziller, Whitney Medworth, Kristian Winfield, Pounding the Rock
- CORRECT NUMBER OF GAMES: Nobody
SB Nation’s Rockets vs. Spurs predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Rockets | 7 | Mike D'Antoni |
| Mike Prada | Rockets | 6 | James Harden |
| Tom Ziller | Spurs | 7 | Kawhi Leonard |
| Whitney Medworth | Spurs | 7 | Kawhi Leonard |
| Kristian Winfield | Spurs | 7 | Kawhi Leonard |
| Tim Cato | Rockets | 7 | James Harden |
| Zito Madu | Rockets | 7 | James Harden |
| Pounding the Rock | Spurs | 7 | Kawhi Leonard |
| The Dream Shake | Rockets | 6 | Eric Gordon |
Warriors vs. Jazz
- ACTUAL WINNER: Warriors in 4
- ACTUAL SERIES MVP: Draymond Green
- CORRECT EVERYTHING: Nobody
- CORRECT WINNER: Everybody
- CORRECT NUMBER OF GAMES: Tom Ziller, Kristian Winfield, Whitney Medworth, Tim Cato, Zito Madu
SB Nation’s Warriors vs. Jazz predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Warriors | 5 | Kevin Durant |
| Mike Prada | Warriors | 6 | Stephen Curry |
| Tom Ziller | Warriors | 4 | Kevin Durant |
| Whitney Medworth | Warriors | 4 | Kevin Durant |
| Kristian Winfield | Warriors | 4 | Kevin Durant |
| Tim Cato | Warriors | 4 | Kevin Durant |
| Zito Madu | Warriors | 4 | Stephen Curry |
| Golden State of Mind | Warriors | 5 | Kevin Durant |
| SLC Dunk | Warriors | 5 | Kevin Durant |
HERE WERE SB NATION’S FIRST-ROUND PICKS
CELTICS-BULLS
- ACTUAL WINNER: Celtics in 6
- ACTUAL SERIES MVP: Al Horford
- CORRECT EVERYTHING: Tim Cato
- CORRECT WINNER: Everyone
- CORRECT NUMBER OF GAMES: Paul Flannery, Tim Cato, Whitney Medworth, Kristian Winfield, Blog a Bull.
SB Nation’s Celtics vs. Bulls predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Celtics | 6 | Jae Crowder |
| Mike Prada | Celtics | 5 | Isaiah Thomas |
| Tom Ziller | Celtics | 7 | Isaiah Thomas |
| Whitney Medworth | Celtics | 6 | Isaiah Thomas |
| Kristian Winfield | Celtics | 6 | Isaiah Thomas |
| Tim Cato | Celtics | 6 | Al Horford |
| Zito Madu | Celtics | 5 | Isaiah Thomas |
| Celtics Blog | Celtics | 5 | Isaiah Thomas |
| Blog a Bull | Celtics | 6 | Al Horford |
CAVALIERS-PACERS
- ACTUAL WINNER: Cavaliers in 4
- ACTUAL SERIES MVP: LeBron James
- CORRECT EVERYTHING: Nobody
- CORRECT WINNER: Everyone
- CORRECT NUMBER OF GAMES: Nobody.
- CORRECT SERIES MVP: Paul Flannery, Tom Ziller, Whitney Medworth, Fear the Sword, Indy Cornrows.
SB Nation’s Cavaliers vs. Pacers predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Cavaliers | 5 | LeBron James |
| Mike Prada | Cavaliers | 6 | Paul George |
| Tom Ziller | Cavaliers | 7 | LeBron James |
| Whitney Medworth | Cavaliers | 6 | LeBron James |
| Kristian Winfield | Cavaliers | 5 | Kyrie Irving |
| Tim Cato | Cavaliers | 6 | Kyrie Irving |
| Zito Madu | Cavaliers | 6 | Kyrie Irving |
| Fear the Sword | Cavaliers | 5 | LeBron James |
| Indy Cornrows | Cavaliers | 6 | LeBron James |
RAPTORS-BUCKS
- ACTUAL WINNER: Raptors in 6
- ACTUAL SERIES MVP: DeMar DeRozan
- CORRECT EVERYTHING: Mike Prada, Whitney Medworth
- CORRECT WINNER: Everyone
- CORRECT NUMBER OF GAMES: Mike Prada, Whitney Medworth, Raptors HQ
- CORRECT SERIES MVP: Mike Prada, Tom Ziller, Whitney Medworth, Zito Madu
SB Nation’s Bucks vs. Raptors Predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Raptors | 7 | Serge Ibaka |
| Mike Prada | Raptors | 6 | DeMar DeRozan |
| Tom Ziller | Raptors | 4 | DeMar DeRozan |
| Whitney Medworth | Raptors | 6 | DeMar DeRozan |
| Kristian Winfield | Raptors | 7 | Kyle Lowry |
| Tim Cato | Raptors | 5 | Kyle Lowry |
| Zito Madu | Raptors | 7 | DeMar DeRozan |
| Raptors HQ | Raptors | 6 | Kyle Lowry |
| Brew Hoop | Raptors | 5 | Kyle Lowry |
WIZARDS-HAWKS
- ACTUAL WINNER: Wizards in 6
- ACTUAL SERIES MVP: John Wall
- CORRECT EVERYTHING: Whitney Medworth, Kristian Winfield, Zito Madu
- CORRECT WINNER: Everyone
- CORRECT NUMBER OF GAMES: Whitney Medworth, Kristian Winfield, Zito Madu
- CORRECT SERIES MVP: Paul Flannery, Whitney Medworth, Kristian Winfield, Zito Madu, Peachtree Hoops
SB Nation’s Wizards vs. Hawks predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Wizards | 7 | John Wall |
| Mike Prada | Wizards | 5 | Bradley Beal |
| Tom Ziller | Wizards | 7 | Bradley Beal |
| Whitney Medworth | Wizards | 6 | John Wall |
| Kristian Winfield | Wizards | 6 | John Wall |
| Tim Cato | Wizards | 5 | John Wall |
| Zito Madu | Wizards | 6 | John Wall |
| Bullets Forever | Wizards | 5 | Bradley Beal |
| Peachtree Hoops | Wizards | 5 | John Wall |
WARRIORS-BLAZERS
- ACTUAL WINNER: Warriors in 4
- ACTUAL SERIES MVP: Draymond Green
- CORRECT EVERYTHING: Kristian Winfield
- CORRECT WINNER: Everyone
- CORRECT NUMBER OF GAMES: Tom Ziller, Whitney Medworth, Kristian Winfield, Tim Cato, Zito Madu
- CORRECT SERIES MVP: Kristian Winfield
SB Nation’s Warriors vs. Blazers predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Warriors | 5 | Damian Lillard |
| Mike Prada | Warriors | 5 | Klay Thompson |
| Tom Ziller | Warriors | 4 | Stephen Curry |
| Whitney Medworth | Warriors | 4 | Stephen Curry |
| Kristian Winfield | Warriors | 4 | Draymond Green |
| Tim Cato | Warriors | 4 | Stephen Curry |
| Zito Madu | Warriors | 4 | Stephen Curry |
| Golden State of Mind | Warriors | 5 | Klay Thompson |
| Blazer's Edge | Warriots | 5 | Stephen Curry |
SPURS-GRIZZLIES
- ACTUAL WINNER: Spurs in 6
- ACTUAL SERIES MVP: Kawhi Leonard
- CORRECT EVERYTHING: Tim Cato, Grizzly Bear Blues
- CORRECT WINNER: Everyone
- CORRECT NUMBER OF GAMES: Mike Prada, Tim Cato, Grizzly Bear Blues
- CORRECT SERIES MVP: Whitney Medworth, Tim Cato, Kristian Winfield, Zito Madu, Pounding the Rock, Grizzly Bear Blues
SB Nation’s Spurs vs. Grizzlies predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Spurs | 4 | Patty Mills |
| Mike Prada | Spurs | 6 | LaMarcus Aldridge |
| Tom Ziller | Spurs | 4 | LaMarcus Aldridge |
| Whitney Medworth | Spurs | 5 | Kawhi Leonard |
| Kristian Winfield | Spurs | 5 | Kawhi Leonard |
| Tim Cato | Spurs | 6 | Kawhi Leonard |
| Zito Madu | Spurs | 5 | Kawhi Leonard |
| Pounding the Rock | Spurs | 5 | Kawhi Leonard |
| Grizzly Bear Blues | Spurs | 6 | Kawhi Leonard |
ROCKETS-THUNDER
- ACTUAL WINNER: Rockets in 5
- ACTUAL SERIES MVP: James Harden
- CORRECT EVERYTHING: Paul Flannery
- CORRECT WINNER: Everyone
- CORRECT NUMBER OF GAMES: Paul Flannery, Tim Cato
- CORRECT SERIES MVP: Paul Flannery, Tom Ziller, Whitney Medworth, Zito Madu, The Dream Shake
SB Nation’s Rockets vs. Thunder predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Rockets | 5 | James Harden |
| Mike Prada | Rockets | 7 | Russell Westbrook |
| Tom Ziller | Rockets | 6 | James Harden |
| Whitney Medworth | Rockets | 7 | James Harden |
| Kristian Winfield | Rockets | 6 | Russell Westbrook |
| Tim Cato | Rockets | 5 | Russell Westbrook |
| Zito Madu | Rockets | 6 | James Harden |
| The Dream Shake | Rockets | 6 | James Harden |
| Welcome to Loud City | Thunder | 6 | Russell Westbrook |
CLIPPERS-JAZZ
SB Nation’s Clippers vs. Jazz Predictions
STAFFER | WINNING TEAM | GAMES | SERIES MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Flannery | Clippers | 7 | Chris Paul |
| Mike Prada | Clippers | 7 | Chris Paul |
| Tom Ziller | Clippers | 7 | Chris Paul |
| Whitney Medworth | Clippers | 6 | Chris Paul |
| Kristian Winfield | Clippers | 6 | Chris Paul |
| Tim Cato | Jazz | 7 | Rudy Gobert |
| Zito Madu | Clippers | 7 | Gordon Hayward |
| Clips Nation | Clippers | 5 | Blake Griffin |
| SLC Dunk | Jazz | 7 | Rudy Gobert |
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