Most NBA Playoff first round matchups are set. On Tuesday, April 12, the Brooklyn Nets beat the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Nets now face the Boston Celtics starting on Saturday. Also on Tuesday night, the Minnesota T’Wolves got past the Los Angeles Clippers. Minnesota starts their round one series versus the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. Check out playoff picture matchups along with a few betting predictions.

Matchups & Betting Predictions for the 2022 NBA Playoffs

The Playoff Picture after night one of the #MetaQuestPlayIn Tournament pic.twitter.com/dIdh22toyo

— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2022

READ MORE: 2022 NBA Playoffs 1st-Round Betting Predictions

The Brooklyn Nets face the Celtics in the first round

Like we wrote above, the Nets blasted through the Cavaliers on their way to the NBA Playoffs. For their efforts, the Nets get to face off against the Boston Celtics. Boston won’t have an easy time beating the Nets.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant both dominated Cleveland. The more the two play together, the stronger Brooklyn becomes. Kyrie, especially, is itching to show his best. Irving had to sit out plenty of games during the regular season. So give the Nets a big chance to upset Boston.

At the end, though, the Celtics will prevail. Boston’s starting five is better than Brooklyn’s. Not only that, but Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum make for a solid duo and the Nets will have trouble dealing with Al Horford and Marcus Smart.

Nets vs. Celtics Prediction: Celtics in 7

The Atlanta Hawks should be the second team to make the NBA Playoffs from the East

Atlanta battles the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, April 13. Charlotte is a solid club, but the Hawks should prevail simply because Trae Young plays for them and he doesn’t play for the Hornets.

After beating Charlotte, the ATL has a real shot of taking down the Cleveland Cavaliers. Once in the playoffs, the Hawks will be a tough squad for the Miami Heat to deal with.

But Miami is the much better team. Jimmy Butler can go mano y mano with Young on the scoreboard while Butler’s teammates are far better than Young’s. Miami figures to lose 1 maybe 2 games in the series.

Hawks vs. Heat Prediction: Heat in 5

The Los Angeles Clippers should be the second team from the West to make the NBA Playoffs

The Clippers figure to take down the Pelicans or the Spurs on April 15. So although Los Angeles lost their first play-in game, LAC should have no issue making it to the playoffs.

Once in the postseason, though, the Clippers will have a tough time keeping the Suns from a sweep. Phoenix’s best asset is their ability to make your top scorer play defense.

Paul George has looked great in recent games. He was terrific versus Minnesota but his team came up short. Versus Phoenix, George will have to guard Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Mikael Bridges or Jae Crowder. Any of the four will force PG-13 to work hard on the defensive end. Also, LAC has nobody who can matchup with DeAndre Ayton. The Suns should handle the Clippers in 4 games.

Clippers vs. Suns Prediction: Suns in 4

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at NitroBetting news. Stay tuned for more NBA game previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Basketball betting odds on our online BTC sportsbook

.

The 2022 NBA postseason is finally here. Maximize your chances of earning more Bitcoin by joining Nitrobetting NBA Playoffs Brackets, Squares, Picks contests! Enter free contests or use valid Betslips to gain free entry to Betslip contests. Also available are buy-in contests with big Bitcoin prizes for the winners! Click here to view and join Nitrobetting contests!