NBA PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

The NBA playoffs are set to begin tomorrow and here are my predictions.

Eastern Conference

1st Round

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Chicago Bulls - Celtics in 7

(4) Washington Wizards vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks - Wizards in 5

(3) Toronto Raptors vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks - Raptors in 6

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Indiana Pacers - Cavaliers in 5

Conference Semi-Finals

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (4) Washington Wizards - Wizards in 6

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (3) Toronto Raptors - Cavaliers in 6

Eastern Conference Finals

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Washington Wizards - Cavaliers in 6

Western Conference

1st Round

(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) Portland Trail Blazers - Warriors in 4

(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (5) Utah Jazz - Clippers in 7

(3) Houston Rockets vs. (6) Oklahoma City Thunder - Rockets in 6

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Memphis Grizzlies - Spurs in 7

Conference Semi-Finals

(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (4) Los Angeles Clippers - Warriors in 6

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (3) Houston Rockets - Rockets in 6

Western Conference Finals

(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (3) Houston Rockets - Warriors in 5

NBA Finals

(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (2) Cleveland Cavaliers - Warriors in 7

REDEMPTION COMPLETE

2017 NCAA Division 1 Champions

One year ago North Carolina was on the losing end of a heartbreaking loss in the National Championship. Last night the Tar Heels completed their redemption tour with a 71-65 victory over Gonzaga. It's their sixth championship which puts them third all-time. It wasn't a pretty game to watch as the Tar Heels only shot 14% from downtown and 35% from the field. While their offense would struggle for the entire game it didn't stop them from competing on the defensive end.

Junior forward Justin Jackson couldn't throw a rock in the ocean last night, but came up with a clutch 3-point play with just under two minutes to go in the game. Senior Kennedy Meeks had been in foul trouble, but came up with a huge block on Nigel Williams-Goss to seal the championship. I don't think I would've been able to deal with another championship game coming to the final shot again. It just wasn't good for my nerves last year.

We were treated to another championship game that came down to the final minutes. As a fan of basketball that's exactly what you want to see. Gonzaga played their hearts out and gave the Tar Heels a run for their money. I'm sure this won't be the last that we hear from the Zags and it definitely won't be the last time we see the Tar Heels in the championship game.