The NBA playoffs begin Sunday, and while surprises tend to be rare in the first round, this year presents some potential unpredictability in large part due to injuries. To get an idea of whether any upsets might be on the horizon, we turned to "NBA 2K18" to preview the matchups.
Each series was simulated 30 times with accurate rosters, updated distribution of playing time and anticipated playoff rotations in order to get the best idea possible of what is to come. The "NBA 2K" series has proven adept at predicting outcomes in the past while identifying areas of focus to keep an eye on.
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(1) Raptors over (8) Wizards — 73 percent
Toronto fans may be able to rest easier knowing that "NBA 2K18" believes the Raptors have an 80 percent chance of snapping their nine-game losing streak in Game 1s. The series won't be a cakewalk for the top seed in the East, though. Nearly half of the simulations went the full seven games.
(4) Cavs over (5) Pacers — 100 percent
Not only is Cleveland the only team in the first round to win every simulation, the Cavs also decimated the Pacers in the process. Indiana was only able to stretch the series to seven games once as LeBron James and his teammates took the majority of simulations with a sweep or in five games.
(6) Heat over (3) 76ers — 53 percent
The injury to Joel Embiid ended up being critical in this series. The simulations held Embiid out until Game 3, and that allowed the Heat to get an early edge by winning one or both of the first two games in Philadelphia. Embiid's return made a big impact on how the Sixers performed in the remaining games, often digging themselves out of that hole, but ultimately the Heat prevailed often enough to move on.
(7) Bucks over (2) Celtics — 53 percent
While not a major upset considering Boston's injuries, the Bucks haven't looked like a team that could win a series against anyone in the playoffs, so "NBA 2K18" giving them the edge is notable. They are favoured only slightly by the video game while Boston is considered a favourite by oddsmakers. In simulations that the Celtics won, they tended to close it out in four or five games, while the Bucks typically took the series in six or seven games.
(1) Rockets over (8) Timberwolves — 73 percent
The Timberwolves have a talented roster, and that showed in this series as the team outperformed expectations against the Rockets. While the most common outcome was a sweep or five-game victory for Houston, it was surprising to see a fair number of series go Minnesota's way in the matchup that oddsmakers consider to be the most lopsided in the first round.
(4) Thunder over (5) Jazz — 80 percent
Oklahoma City is the favourite in a series that would be considered essentially a toss-up if not for their home-court advantage. "NBA 2K18" thinks otherwise, however, and sees the Thunder rolling over Utah. There were no sweeps in any of the simulations, but OKC was most often able to win in five games.
(6) Pelicans over (3) Trail Blazers — 60 percent
The surprises continue in the Western Conference, but this time we get a true upset. "NBA 2K18" sees this series as a likely 4-2 win for New Orleans over Portland.
(2) Warriors over (7) Spurs — 87 percent
Injuries will keep two superstars out of this series, but the Warriors are better able to compensate without Stephen Curry than the Spurs can manage without Kawhi Leonard. This was the second-most lopsided matchup from the first round with Golden State most often winning the series 4-1.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the "Press Row Podcast" and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.