- S2 SEMIFINALS PREDICTIONS -
WRITTEN BY: PROFESSOR X
After a thrilling quarter-final round, the stage is set, we’re down to the final four. All top four seeds have advanced to the semi-finals, with no major upsets taking place. While I expected at least a few surprises, three of the four games went right down to the wire, showcasing just how competitive this playoff field truly is. In the end, the top seeds held their ground and proved why they’ve been leading the pack all season long. Now, with a championship berth on the line, the intensity is only going to ramp up. Let’s break down the matchups ahead, the semi-finals are here!
9:00 PM HORNETS vs HUSKIES - (HUSKIES +3)
Both teams are coming off very different quarter-final performances, but each earned their spot in the final four in convincing fashion. The Huskies survived a nail-biter against a relentless Shooting Stars squad that refused to back down. In true championship fashion, the defending champs remained composed under pressure and closed it out in the clutch, a testament to their experience and pedigree. What makes their performance even more impressive is that they did it while missing several key players. The good news for the Huskies is that those missing pieces may return for the semi-finals, giving the team a much-needed boost at the perfect time. On the other side, the Hornets put together a commanding win over a Cavaliers team that I expected to put up more of a fight. Jeroy silenced recent doubts by stepping up in a big way and looking every bit like the MVP-caliber player we saw earlier in the season. But the true X-factor in that matchup was Craigon, who delivered a standout performance. Time and again, he hit clutch shots and crushed any hope of a Cavaliers comeback. If he can replicate that level of play, the Hornets become a much more dangerous threat. This semi-final matchup has all the ingredients for a classic. I expect it to come down to the wire, but in the end, I’m giving the edge to the defending champs. With their core players likely returning and their championship experience intact I expect a repeat of their regular season matchup where the Huskies get another hard-fought win against the Hornets and punch their ticket back to the finals.
10:00 PM LAKERS vs SHOTTAS - (SHOTTAS +1)
Both teams are coming off thrilling, one-possession victories in the quarter-finals, but one matchup brought with it a major development. In the final moments of the Shottas vs. Hellcats game, MVP Isaiah appeared to suffer a significant injury. We’re all hoping it’s not as serious as it looked and wishing him a full and speedy recovery. This is a massive blow for Shottas, who have leaned heavily on Isaiah’s elite performances all season. That said, even in his absence, the team showed they’re far from a one-man squad. Their defense tightened up when it mattered most, shutting down a determined Hellcats team and holding off a late push to secure the win. Expect players like Khami, Joel, and Terrell, all of whom made crucial plays down the stretch, to take on even greater responsibility in this next matchup. On the other side, the Lakers got their revenge in a big way. After losing to Swish in the regular season, they flipped the script with an elite performance led by their core trio Abhiram, Akash, and Ashwin. The three combined for 49 of the team’s 54 points, each shooting over 40%, the first time they’ve all done so in the same game this season. It couldn’t have come at a better time, and if they replicate that effort, they’ll be tough to beat. This semi-final has all the makings of a back-and-forth battle. Despite the loss of their MVP, I believe the Shottas will rally together and find a way to win in the closing moments, not just for a spot in the finals, but in honor of the teammate who helped get them there.