The NBA playoffs are here. There are some intriguing match ups in the first round. Here are my predictions for who will advance to the second round round.
Eastern Conference
#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons: The Cavs should cruise in this series. Detroit is well coached and they’ll give Lebron and company a run for their money but in the end, the Cavs are a much better all around team. I think they’ll focus in this series and take care of business. I’ll give the Pistons one win. Cavs in 5
#2 Toronto Raptors vs. #7 Indiana Pacers: This is an intriguing series to me. Toronto has had the best season in franchise history and is geared to make a playoff run. In a sense, they are the Hawks from last season. A good team that plays well together. The Pacers will be a tough draw for the Raptors in the opening round. Paul George is the best player on either team. The Pacers will go as he goes. I think this is a tough match up for Toronto because Indiana can shoot the ball and they can score in transition. Toronto is not great defensively in transition. I’m going to take the Raptors in this series but I think it’s going the distance. Raptors in 7
#3 Miami Heat vs. #6 Charlotte Hornets: The Heat pose the greatest threat to the Cavs in the eastern conference in my opinion. Miami is dangerous because they are a balanced team can score consistently and defend the paint. If they can get Chris Bosh back at some point in these playoffs, I think they can go toe to toe with Cleveland in the conference finals. As far the Hornets are concerned, I think this is a bad match up for them. They lack the interior presence to match up with Miami. That’s why I’m picking the Heat. I’ll give the Hornets Heat in 5.
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Boston Celtics: Look, I love the Celtics but I don’t think this is a good match up for them. Forget about the fact that they’ve taken 10 of 11 playoff series from the Hawks. That doesn’t mean anything! Atlanta can pressure the Celtics in transition and they can shoot the basketball off of pick and rolls. Two areas the Celtics struggle in defensively. I think the Celtics will hang with the Hawks, but in the end, Atlanta is the more balanced team and they have home court. I’m taking the Hawks. Hawks in 6
Western Conference
#1 Golden State Warriors vs. #8 Houston Rockets: The Rockets have quit and have no interest of being in the playoffs. Warriors will roll to a four game sweep.
#2 Memphis Grizzlies vs. #7 San Antonio Spurs: If the Grizzlies were healthy, I think they’ve give the Spurs a run for their money and probably make this a six game series. They are not. San Antonio looks scary right now and they are destined to meet to the Warriors in the conference finals. They’ll sweep Memphis. Spurs in 4
3# Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks: Don’t sleep on the Thunder. With a healthy Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, they have the talent to compete with Golden State and San Antonio. The Mavericks on the other hand have exceeded expectations. Their roster is not that good but somehow they are the sixth seed. I think they’ll take one game in this series but that’s it. I like the Thunder in this series. Thunder in 5
#4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. #5 Portland Blazers: Portland is another team that overachieved. It’s Damian Lilliard and a bunch of guys you’ve never heard of. Lob City has home court, a deep roster and the better coach. The cream will rise in the first round in the western conference. I like the Clippers in five. Clippers in 5.