Eastern Conference
(1) Indiana Pacers vs (8) Atlanta Hawks: This match up does not intrigue me by any means considering Indiana was in a season-ending slump and Atlanta barely made the playoffs and is by far the worst team in these playoffs. This should be a series where Paul George and Roy Hibbert come out of their slumps and show everyone again why their hot start was no fluke. No way Atlanta pulls the upset, but look out for Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague. Pacers in 5.
(2) Miami Heat vs (7) Charlotte Bobcats: This is going to be the series where LeBron & Company turn the switch on so lookout. Another person to keep an eye on is Al Jefferson, who carried the Bobcats to the postseason with a career year. Jefferson will give the Heat issues due to their weakness up front, but like I said, the Heat will look like the team we saw last spring. Heat in 5.
(3) Toronto Raptors vs (6) Brooklyn Nets: This series would be an interesting one to watch considering these are two division foes that wanted to play each other. It is no secret that Brooklyn is the better team, but Toronto is a solid team too. Look for Jonas Valanciunas to have a big series as well as Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. On the Nets side, look for Joe Johnson to make the clutch shots when needed. It will be a huge failure if Brooklyn loses this series. Nets in 6.
(4) Chicago Bulls vs (5) Washington Wizards: John Wall is in the post season for the first time in his career, but it will not be easy for the Wizards. MVP candidate Joakim Noah and the Bulls are poised to make some noise in these playoffs, especially in this weak eastern conference. Look for Wall and Noah to have impacts as well as Bradley Beal for Washington and Jimmy Butler for Chicago. This could be the easts best series of the first round. Bulls in 6.
Western Conference
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (8) Dallas Mavericks: Expect this series to have a ton of offense in it. Two future hall of famers in Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki going at it once again is just fantastic considering their history against each other. Maybe if the Mavs played the Thunder they could have made some noise considering that they played well against them, but it appears that the Spurs have their number. Expect close games in this series, but the better team to move on. Spurs in 5.
(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (7) Memphis Grizzlies: This series is an intriguing one considering that Memphis beat Oklahoma City last year, but that was without Russell Westbrook. Kevin Durant and Westbrook have chips on their shoulders, but the Grizzlies will give the Thunder all they can handle with their underrated defense. Expect a big series from Marc Gasol and guys like Reggie Jackson and Serge Ibaka to step up for the Thunder. Thunder in 6.
(3) Los Angeles Clippers vs (6) Golden State Warriors: By far the best series of the first round featuring two of the leagues best point guards in Chris Paul and Stephen Curry. Golden State will miss Andrew Bogut and David Lee (if he misses time), but I expect Curry to go off and for this series to be a long one. DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin improved tremendously this season, especially from the free throw line and that's big for the Clippers in crunch time situations. Expect this series to be long and hard fought. Clippers in 7.
(4) Houston Rockets vs (5) Portland Trail Blazers: This series will probably set a record for most three-point field goals attempted in a playoff series. Expect every final score of this series to be in the likes of 120-115 or 123-117. Both teams have underrated players in their starting lineups such as Chandler Parsons and Nicolas Batum. Expect LaMarcus Aldridge to carry the Blazers, but James Harden and Dwight Howard will lift the Rockets, who are ultimately the better team. Rockets in 6.
No comments:
Post a Comment