The NBA playoffs are right around the corner, with the 2022-23 regular season about to come to an end and matchups for the postseason starting to get set.
One matchup in the Eastern Conference has already been set, with the upstart Cleveland Cavaliers led by Donovan Mitchell set to take on Julius Randle and the storied New York Knicks franchise in the first round.
This is an interesting playoff matchup for a few different reasons, as the Cavaliers are expected to be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason while the Knicks are dealing with some injury issues that might derail a deep run.
Despite the Knicks being a bit banged up, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins is taking New York over Cleveland in this series, and he explains why.
The first playoff matchup is set and @KendrickPerkins is taking the Knicks over the Cavs 🗣️
"I got the Knicks winning that series in six."
(via NBA Today) pic.twitter.com/lcRQ6LiaHN
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 5, 2023
Although this will likely be a very competitive series between two teams itching to make some noise in the playoffs, the Cavaliers are the superior team, with Mitchell being one of the hottest players in the league right now.
Mitchell has been on a scoring tear as of late, and that couldn’t come at a better time for Cleveland.
Yes, the Cavaliers are inexperienced, and that may show in the postseason, but they are arguably the more talented team.
As for the Knicks, Randle is dealing with an ankle sprain, and Jalen Brunson has also battled his injury issues this season.
Even if both teams were perfectly healthy heading into this playoff matchup, the scales tilt heavily in favor of Cleveland.
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