The NBA Playoffs have commenced, and there is a lot of electric action going on in these first round matchups. Phoenix went 64-18 this season for the best record in the league and look highly formidable in the postseason with Devin Booker, C Paul and De’Andre Ayton. The Dallas Mavericks were the second hottest team in the league from January till early April, but Luka Doncic is hurt right now with a strained calf and that hurts the cause, though they defeated the Utah Jazz last night as Jalen Brunson went for 41 and Maxi Kleber was 8 of 11 from trifecta for 25 in a Mavs’ 110-104 victory. The series is now tied 1-1 and heads to Utah for games 3 and 4 starting tomorrow night.

Here are White’s World’s predictions for the NBA playoffs. ESPN, TNT, NBA TV and ABC will cover the playoffs. ABC will handle the NBA Finals.

Eastern Conference first round

Miami Heat over Atlanta Hawks in 5

Philly 76ers over Toronto Raptors in 5

Milwaukee Bucks over Chicago Bulls in 6

Boston Celtics over Brooklyn Nets in 7

Western Conference first round

Phoenix Suns over New Orleans Pelicans in 4

Dallas over Utah in 7

Golden State Warriors over Denver Nuggets in 6

Memphis Grizzlies over Minnesota T Wolves in 7

Conference Semis

East

Heat over 76ers in 6

Celtics over Bucks in 7

West

Suns over Mavs in 6

Grizzlies over Warriors in 7

Conference Finals

East

Heat over Celtics in 6

West

Suns over Grizzlies in 7

NBA Finals

This Phoenix Suns team looks unstoppable, but I’m going to go against the grain and take Jimmy “Buckets” Butler, Bam Adabayo and Tyler Herro and the South Beach team. Give me the Heat to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in mid June. The Finals begins June 2nd with game 7 scheduled for June 19th

Heat over Suns in 6

MVP of Finals, “Buckets”