Top 5 series we could see in the 2022 NBA Playoffs

<span class="call_to_action">Must Read:</span> Stephen A. Smith ranting about the Knicks is exactly what we needed </a> </div> </div> <h2>Top 5 series we could see in the 2022 NBA Playoffs: 5. Warriors vs. Lakers</h2> <p>Okay, maybe this one is a cop-out, but the thought of seeing LeBron James take on the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs one last time has to provide some sort of intrigue.</p> <p>Let’s get one thing straight – the Los Angeles Lakers are not even close to a Finals favorite this year. But that doesn’t mean this series wouldn’t be entertaining.</p> <p>James has faced off against Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green countless times, so if it were to happen again this season, the media would undoubtedly eat it up.</p> <p>From a competitive standpoint, this one probably wouldn’t be the most entertaining. But for the sake of storylines (and a little bit of nostalgia), it had to be included on this list.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/series-2022-nba-playoffs/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Series #4 and #3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_442099" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-442099" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/series-2022-nba-playoffs/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2306,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1298502733.jpeg" alt="Top 5 series we could see in the 2022 NBA Playoffs" width="3200" height="2306" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1298502733.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1298502733-768x553.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">DALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 25: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets and Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter at American Airlines Center on January 25, 2021 in Dallas, Texas, Top 5 series we could see in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Top 5 series we could see in the 2022 NBA Playoffs: 4. Mavericks vs. Nuggets</h2> <p>While the Warriors vs. Lakers matchup would be fun for the sake of storylines, this one would be fun because of the players on the court – Luka Doncic and Nikola Vucevic.</p> <p>A full series of Doncic and Jokic facing off against each other would be electric, as they are two of the best international players in the league right now.</p> <p>Plus, out of all the players in the NBA, these two might just be carrying their teams more than anyone else (outside of maybe Joel Embiid). So watching them battle every night would be extremely fun.</p> <p>On any given night one (or both) of them could be putting up a 30-point triple-double. From purely a talent perspective, it doesn’t get much better than Doncic and Jokic.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="The future of Porzingis with the Wizards" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/17/kristaps-porzingis-washington-wizards/" data-call-to-action="Must Read"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/series-2022-nba-playoffs/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/17/kristaps-porzingis-washington-wizards/"> <span class="call_to_action">Must Read:</span> The future of Porzingis with the Wizards </a> </div> </div> <h2>Top 5 series we could see in the 2022 NBA Playoffs: 3. Bucks vs. Cavaliers</h2> <p>Is this an extremely weird pair of teams? Absolutely. But it would make for an extremely interesting, and there’s one main reason why – the big men.</p> <p>The Cleveland Cavaliers have made headlines this season because no one expected them to be as good as they are. And the main attraction for the Cavs has been their twin towers – Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.</p> <p>Now, imagine that frontcourt being tasked with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/series-2022-nba-playoffs/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/17/giannis-antetokounmpo-dominating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stopping Giannis Antetokounmpo</a> in a seven-game series. The clash in the paint would be of epic proportions.</p> <p>Would the Milwaukee Bucks be heavily favored in the matchup? Probably. But that wouldn’t take away from how entertaining the games would be.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/series-2022-nba-playoffs/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Series #2 and #1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_442098" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-442098" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/series-2022-nba-playoffs/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1362038483.jpeg" alt="Top 5 series we could see in the 2022 NBA Playoffs" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1362038483.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1362038483-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 30: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets puts up a shot in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center on December 30, 2021 in New York City, Top 5 series we could see in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Top 5 series we could see in the 2022 NBA Playoffs: 2. Heat vs. Raptors</h2> <p>If you were looking at on-court product alone, this would be the most entertaining playoff series of the postseason. These are two hard-nosed teams built to compete.</p> <p>Not too long ago, these two teams were involved in a triple-overtime thriller. Now just imagine that sort of energy in a seven-game series where the season is on the line.</p> <p>Plus, there’s the obvious off-the-court drama too. Kyle Lowry is the greatest Toronto Raptor of all time, so it would be fitting that he played his old team in the playoffs.</p> <p>Seeing the grittiness of both teams come out in full force will be fun regardless of who they face. But if they play each other, multiply that intensity by ten.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="3 reasons the 76ers won’t win the NBA championship" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/17/philadelphia-76ers-nba-championship/" data-call-to-action="Must Read"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/series-2022-nba-playoffs/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/17/philadelphia-76ers-nba-championship/"> <span class="call_to_action">Must Read:</span> 3 reasons the 76ers won’t win the NBA championship </a> </div> </div> <h2>Top 5 series we could see in the 2022 NBA Playoffs: 1. 76ers vs. Nets</h2> <p>There was never going to be a different answer for the number one spot on this list. This one was just too obvious, and whenever these two teams play, there’s going to be a bit extra on the line.</p> <p>The regular-season games between these two teams are already getting hyped up, so one can only imagine how badly the NBA wants these two teams to play each other in the playoffs.</p> <p>James Harden would get booed at Barclays Center, Ben Simmons would get booed at the Wells Fargo Center, and both sides would be fighting for their new teammates.</p> <p>Plus, just imagine the animosity Joel Embiid has for Simmons, and the animosity Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant have for Harden. This is the series every NBA fan should be hoping to see.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Grading all 30 teams on their trade-deadline deals" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/12/nba-trade-deadline-grades/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/series-2022-nba-playoffs/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/12/nba-trade-deadline-grades/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Grading all 30 teams on their trade-deadline deals </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">