It's that time of the year once again.
Eighty two games are done, and we've seen break out performances, disappointing seasons, unfortunate injuries, eye popping stats, and all kind of wacky things. Now it's time for things to get more serious.
Each NBA's team goal is to win the NBA championship (except maybe if you are the 76ers). And now for the next couple of weeks, the whole world would be focused on the last sixteen teams standing. As of yesterday, the playoff match ups were finalized, as seen below:
Let's look at each of the match ups, starting with the Western Conference, and then I'll give my thoughts and who I think would advance to the second round. Let's get it on!
Western Conference 1st Round Match Up No.1:
 |
VS. 
The Golden State Warriors (1st seed, 67-15, Best record in the NBA) versus
The New Orleans Pelicans (8th seed, 45-37).
[Warriors win season series 3-1]
The New Orleans Pelicans (8th seed, 45-37).
[Warriors win season series 3-1]
My Take:
This would be an exciting match up despite this being a 1st seed against the 8th seed as both teams are fun to watch. A lot of up and down battle is to be expected. The Warriors have been NBA's best team since the start of the season, and entering the playoffs they are still the favorites to go all the way. The Pelicans on the other hand, fought until the last regular season game for the privilege of going against the team with the best record in the league. Both teams have great offense, though the Warriors have a distinct advantage on the defensive end as they are in the top 2 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Keep your eyes on:
The Splash Brothers of course. Steph Curry is having an MVP season, and Klay Thompson has had big quarters (and I mean BIG) this season, so they would be a blast to watch. Also, it would be Steve Kerr's first playoff series as a head coach, so it would be interesting how he guides the Warriors through this.
Also, it is the first NBA playoff experience for a certain future Chicago Bull player, Anthony Davis. Keep your eyes on him. This would be fun.
Also, it is the first NBA playoff experience for a certain future Chicago Bull player, Anthony Davis. Keep your eyes on him. This would be fun.
My Prediction:
As much as I love Davis and the Pelicans, I can't see them winning more than two games at most. In fact, I don't think they even win two games, sadly. I think Pelicans would steal one game at their home court. That doesn't mean the games won't be competitive. I just think that the better defending team (GS) would lock down New Orleans down the stretch, while NO won't be able to do the same to the gunners of GS. I see the games being close until the last few minutes.
Warriors in 5.
Western Conference 1st Round Match Up No.2:
VS.
The Portland Trail Blazers (4th Seed, 51-31) versus
The Memphis Grizzlies (5th Seed, 55-27)
[Grizzlies win season series, 4-0]
[Grizzlies win season series, 4-0]
My Take:
Don't let the seeding fool you, as Memphis did finish with a better record than Portland. Portland did get the higher due to being a division winner, but not HC advantage. Nonetheless, Portland is indeed a good team, being right up there almost whole season long as one of the teams vying for the 2nd seed until injuries hit their team. Speaking of vying for the West's 2nd seed, the Grizzlies are another one of those teams. With Marc Gasol leading the way, Memphis yet again looks like a team that is a legit dark horse to go to the conference finals.
Keep your eyes on:
Keep your eyes on Dame, pips! It just feels like that guy has another gear come playoffs. I bet he hits yet another ridiculous clutch shot this playoffs.
My Prediction:
Unfortunately for Portland, injuries arrived at the wrong time. If both teams were healthy, this would be a series that would go down the wire. Then again, health is part of the game. And then again, it's not like Memphis is injury free. Still, while I see Portland putting up a fight, I think they will still come up short. I think after four games the series would be tied, but then the Grizzlies take it from there. Oh if only they are healthy. if only.
Grizzlies in 6.
Western Conference 1st Round Match Up No.3:
VS.
My Take:
Texas tussle! I think it wouldn't be crazy to say that Houston has been the better team for majority of the season. Actually I think that is easy to say! That being said, you can just never count out Dirk and the Mavericks. The trade for Rondo so far seems like a wrong move, but who knows, this playoffs could change all of that. Also, isn't it crazy that seven of the eight West teams have 50 wins or more? Damn, just continues to show the dominance of the West teams.
Keep your eyes on:
James Harden is one of the top MVP candidates, and like Curry, he is fun to watch scoring from all over the court. Harden versus Ellis, anyone? Also, playoff Rondo, is he real or just myth? Of course, it's always a delight to watch Dirk.
My Prediction:
I'm going for the upset in this one. Yes,shocker! I don't really have a firm basis such as statistics or scouting reports to base this one, just pure gut feel. Yes, the Rockets won the season series three games to one, but they were all close matches. Yes, who from the Mavs would guard Harden? Yes Houston is playing great entering the playoffs. It's just that, I just love watching Dirk play so more games for him would be something I'd like to see. It won't be an easy win for the Mavs though, far from it.
Mavericks in 7.
(Though this is just a fan pick, unbiased, I think this is Rockets in 6.)
My Take:
Probably my favorite match up in the first round. Lob City versus the Epitome of Team Basketball. Griffin versus Duncan, Paul versus Parker. They have almost similar records, and their season series is tied at two, with each team winning a game both at home and away. If there is one series that would be the hardest to predict, I bet it is this series. Plus a lot of questions can be raised. Can Duncan continue to defy time? Will Paul finally carry a team on his back in a series? Will Kahwi Leonard continue his ascent as the new face of the franchise? Can Blake regain his MVP form from a year ago to recover from a relatively disappointing season? Exciting!
If someone has not watched a basketball game ever before, make them watch this series.
Keep your eyes on:
Probably those questions that I mentioned above. All of that, plus one more. Whenever the Spurs have the ball on offense, keep your eyes on the ball and watch the beauty that is the Spurs ball movement.
My Prediction:
Oh this is going to be so hard, so let's just keep this simple. I can't pick against the defending champions, not this early.
Spurs in 6.
Eastern Conference 1st Round Match Up No.1:
VS. 
My Take:
The East's best team, the Hawks takes on the team that would be tied for 11th spot in the West, the Brooklyn Nets. Nothing against the Nets, but who here will agree that this would be a more intriguing match up if it was the Pacers or *gasp* the Heat that got the 8th seed? I'm not saying that those two teams are leaps and bounds better than the Nets, it's just that...I don't feel the Nets.
Keep your eyes on:
Kyle Korver Hot Sauce!
I'm a KK fan. Let this pass.
My Prediction:
The Hawks are a 60 win team for a reason, they are healthy and rested, and I think they will quickly take care of the Nets. Games would still be competitive, I guess, but in the end, I see the Hawks coming out on top. I'll be bringing out the brooms right now. The Hawks are just that good!
Hawks in 4.
Eastern Conference 1st Round Match Up No.2:
VS
My Take:
Probably the most even match up in the 1st round of the East, which also makes it the hardest to predict. Sure, the Raptors swept the Wizards during the regular season, but this is the playoffs now. Then again, you can't safe with certainty that one team is more playoff tested than the other. Both are young team who figure to be in the battle among the best teams in the East for the foreseeable future, so this should one be one series to watch. Probably the series to watch in the East given the quality of both teams.
Keep your eyes on:
The backcourt battle. Wall and Beal claims to be the best 1-2 punch (as in PG-SG) in the league, but the Lowry-Derozan duo is not far behind, if they are behind. Then again, it might be the fight in the front court that would decide this series.
My Prediction:
As even as these two teams are, the Wiz are struggling as of late. While this won't decide the series on its own, it will indeed be a factor. However, the Raptors are not exactly coming into the season guns ablaze. Still, I think the Dinos take this one.
Raptors in 6.
Eastern Conference 1st Round Match Up No.3:
VS. 
My Take:
Remember when the Cavs lost against the Celtics and the lasting memory was LeBron taking off his Cavs jersey? We all though that was the last time we would see LeBron wearing a Cavs jersey. Fast forward to 2015 and LBJ is back in Cleveland, and the Celtics and in rebuilding mode yet they are still in the playoffs. Eastern conference guys! While this might be a series that heavily favors the Cavs, I was actually surprised to see the season series tied at two.
Keep your eyes on:
LeBron. Come on now, I hate the dude, but he is still the best player in the planet. Marcus Smart and Isiah Thomas from the Cs is also fun to watch.
Also, Kyrie's and Love's first playoff games!
My Prediction:
Despite the season series tied at two, I think with the Cavs picking up steam going into the post season, they will have no problems with the Celtics. Those two regular season game defeats were without LeBron. The talent discrepancy is just too huge. However, I still think that this will be a closer series than most of us anticipates. Expect to see the Celtics grab one or even two games, if they are lucky, from the Cavs.
Cavs in 5.
Eastern Conference 1st Round Match Up No.4:
VS. 
My Take:
Ohh boy, the Bulls. The ever so enigmatic team. They were poised as one of the threats to come out of the East, and whole season long they have shown reason to believe and to disproof that notion. On the other side is the young Bucks, led by head coach Jason Kidd. While they weren't picked as one of the favorites in the East, I bet most of the people did not expect this kind of performance and improvement from the Bucks. This would be one exciting series.
Keep your eyes on:
A lot of things! The DRose return saga is still on. Then you've got a pair of European players showing their wares in the Greek Freak and in Nikola. Pau dominated the Bucks earlier this season to the tune of a career high 46 points. Plus there is the coaching battle between Thibs and Kidd.
My Prediction:
This will be a series that would feature a lot of close games. That being said, the Bulls just match up well with the Bucks. While the guards and wings of the Bucks may give Rose, Butler, and Co., trouble, Pau and the other big guys of the Bulls figure to set the tempo of this series. The Bulls biggest opponent might just be themselves. Sill, I'm going with a bias answer with this one.
Bulls in 4.
- - - - - -
So in short, I have the Hawks, Cavs, Bulls, and Raptors advancing to the 2nd round of the East, and the Warriors, Rockets, Spurs, and Grizzlies in the West.
Then I have the Hawks beating the Raptors in 6, Bulls over Cavs in 6, Warriors over Grizzlies in 7, and Spurs over Rockets in 6.
Conference Finals, I have the Bulls over Hawks in 6, and Spurs over Warriors in 7. (Hey, this is a fan blog, so ofcourse I am bias for my Bulls.)
Then the Bulls over Spurs in 6 games.
...and I'm probably wrong in more than half of these predictions.
So there you have it! Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments!
After the first round, I'll write my thoughts on the 2nd round, and so on. See you then!
Don't let the seeding fool you, as Memphis did finish with a better record than Portland. Portland did get the higher due to being a division winner, but not HC advantage. Nonetheless, Portland is indeed a good team, being right up there almost whole season long as one of the teams vying for the 2nd seed until injuries hit their team. Speaking of vying for the West's 2nd seed, the Grizzlies are another one of those teams. With Marc Gasol leading the way, Memphis yet again looks like a team that is a legit dark horse to go to the conference finals.
Keep your eyes on:
Keep your eyes on Dame, pips! It just feels like that guy has another gear come playoffs. I bet he hits yet another ridiculous clutch shot this playoffs.
My Prediction:
Unfortunately for Portland, injuries arrived at the wrong time. If both teams were healthy, this would be a series that would go down the wire. Then again, health is part of the game. And then again, it's not like Memphis is injury free. Still, while I see Portland putting up a fight, I think they will still come up short. I think after four games the series would be tied, but then the Grizzlies take it from there. Oh if only they are healthy. if only.
Grizzlies in 6.
Western Conference 1st Round Match Up No.3:
VS.
The Houston Rockets (2nd Seed, 56-26) versus
The Dallas Mavericks (7th Seed, 50-32)
[Rockets win season series, 3-1]
My Take:
Texas tussle! I think it wouldn't be crazy to say that Houston has been the better team for majority of the season. Actually I think that is easy to say! That being said, you can just never count out Dirk and the Mavericks. The trade for Rondo so far seems like a wrong move, but who knows, this playoffs could change all of that. Also, isn't it crazy that seven of the eight West teams have 50 wins or more? Damn, just continues to show the dominance of the West teams.
Keep your eyes on:
James Harden is one of the top MVP candidates, and like Curry, he is fun to watch scoring from all over the court. Harden versus Ellis, anyone? Also, playoff Rondo, is he real or just myth? Of course, it's always a delight to watch Dirk.
My Prediction:
I'm going for the upset in this one. Yes,shocker! I don't really have a firm basis such as statistics or scouting reports to base this one, just pure gut feel. Yes, the Rockets won the season series three games to one, but they were all close matches. Yes, who from the Mavs would guard Harden? Yes Houston is playing great entering the playoffs. It's just that, I just love watching Dirk play so more games for him would be something I'd like to see. It won't be an easy win for the Mavs though, far from it.
Mavericks in 7.
(Though this is just a fan pick, unbiased, I think this is Rockets in 6.)
Western Conference 1st Round Match Up No.4:
VS.
The LA Clippers (3rd Seed, 56-26) versus
The San Antonio Spurs (6th Seed, 55-27)
[Season series tied at 2-2]
Probably my favorite match up in the first round. Lob City versus the Epitome of Team Basketball. Griffin versus Duncan, Paul versus Parker. They have almost similar records, and their season series is tied at two, with each team winning a game both at home and away. If there is one series that would be the hardest to predict, I bet it is this series. Plus a lot of questions can be raised. Can Duncan continue to defy time? Will Paul finally carry a team on his back in a series? Will Kahwi Leonard continue his ascent as the new face of the franchise? Can Blake regain his MVP form from a year ago to recover from a relatively disappointing season? Exciting!
If someone has not watched a basketball game ever before, make them watch this series.
Keep your eyes on:
Probably those questions that I mentioned above. All of that, plus one more. Whenever the Spurs have the ball on offense, keep your eyes on the ball and watch the beauty that is the Spurs ball movement.
My Prediction:
Oh this is going to be so hard, so let's just keep this simple. I can't pick against the defending champions, not this early.
Spurs in 6.
Eastern Conference 1st Round Match Up No.1:
VS.
The Atlanta Hawks (1st Seed, 60-22) versus
The Brooklyn Nets (8th Seed, 38-44)
[Season series tied at 2-2]
My Take:
The East's best team, the Hawks takes on the team that would be tied for 11th spot in the West, the Brooklyn Nets. Nothing against the Nets, but who here will agree that this would be a more intriguing match up if it was the Pacers or *gasp* the Heat that got the 8th seed? I'm not saying that those two teams are leaps and bounds better than the Nets, it's just that...I don't feel the Nets.
Keep your eyes on:
Kyle Korver Hot Sauce!
I'm a KK fan. Let this pass.
My Prediction:
The Hawks are a 60 win team for a reason, they are healthy and rested, and I think they will quickly take care of the Nets. Games would still be competitive, I guess, but in the end, I see the Hawks coming out on top. I'll be bringing out the brooms right now. The Hawks are just that good!
Hawks in 4.
Eastern Conference 1st Round Match Up No.2:
VS
The Toronto Raptors (4th Seed, 49-33) versus
The Washington Wizards (5th Seed, 46-36)
[Toronto wins season series, 3-0]
My Take:
Probably the most even match up in the 1st round of the East, which also makes it the hardest to predict. Sure, the Raptors swept the Wizards during the regular season, but this is the playoffs now. Then again, you can't safe with certainty that one team is more playoff tested than the other. Both are young team who figure to be in the battle among the best teams in the East for the foreseeable future, so this should one be one series to watch. Probably the series to watch in the East given the quality of both teams.
Keep your eyes on:
The backcourt battle. Wall and Beal claims to be the best 1-2 punch (as in PG-SG) in the league, but the Lowry-Derozan duo is not far behind, if they are behind. Then again, it might be the fight in the front court that would decide this series.
My Prediction:
As even as these two teams are, the Wiz are struggling as of late. While this won't decide the series on its own, it will indeed be a factor. However, the Raptors are not exactly coming into the season guns ablaze. Still, I think the Dinos take this one.
Raptors in 6.
Eastern Conference 1st Round Match Up No.3:
VS.
The Cleveland Cavaliers (2nd Seed, 53-29) versus
The Boston Celtics (7th Seed, 40-42)
[Season series tied at 2-2]
Remember when the Cavs lost against the Celtics and the lasting memory was LeBron taking off his Cavs jersey? We all though that was the last time we would see LeBron wearing a Cavs jersey. Fast forward to 2015 and LBJ is back in Cleveland, and the Celtics and in rebuilding mode yet they are still in the playoffs. Eastern conference guys! While this might be a series that heavily favors the Cavs, I was actually surprised to see the season series tied at two.
Keep your eyes on:
LeBron. Come on now, I hate the dude, but he is still the best player in the planet. Marcus Smart and Isiah Thomas from the Cs is also fun to watch.
Also, Kyrie's and Love's first playoff games!
My Prediction:
Despite the season series tied at two, I think with the Cavs picking up steam going into the post season, they will have no problems with the Celtics. Those two regular season game defeats were without LeBron. The talent discrepancy is just too huge. However, I still think that this will be a closer series than most of us anticipates. Expect to see the Celtics grab one or even two games, if they are lucky, from the Cavs.
Cavs in 5.
Eastern Conference 1st Round Match Up No.4:
VS.
The Chicago Bulls (3rd Seed, 50-32) versus
The Milwaukee Bucks (6th Seed, 41-41)
[Bulls win season series, 3-1]
Ohh boy, the Bulls. The ever so enigmatic team. They were poised as one of the threats to come out of the East, and whole season long they have shown reason to believe and to disproof that notion. On the other side is the young Bucks, led by head coach Jason Kidd. While they weren't picked as one of the favorites in the East, I bet most of the people did not expect this kind of performance and improvement from the Bucks. This would be one exciting series.
Keep your eyes on:
A lot of things! The DRose return saga is still on. Then you've got a pair of European players showing their wares in the Greek Freak and in Nikola. Pau dominated the Bucks earlier this season to the tune of a career high 46 points. Plus there is the coaching battle between Thibs and Kidd.
My Prediction:
This will be a series that would feature a lot of close games. That being said, the Bulls just match up well with the Bucks. While the guards and wings of the Bucks may give Rose, Butler, and Co., trouble, Pau and the other big guys of the Bulls figure to set the tempo of this series. The Bulls biggest opponent might just be themselves. Sill, I'm going with a bias answer with this one.
Bulls in 4.
- - - - - -
So in short, I have the Hawks, Cavs, Bulls, and Raptors advancing to the 2nd round of the East, and the Warriors, Rockets, Spurs, and Grizzlies in the West.
Then I have the Hawks beating the Raptors in 6, Bulls over Cavs in 6, Warriors over Grizzlies in 7, and Spurs over Rockets in 6.
Conference Finals, I have the Bulls over Hawks in 6, and Spurs over Warriors in 7. (Hey, this is a fan blog, so ofcourse I am bias for my Bulls.)
Then the Bulls over Spurs in 6 games.
...and I'm probably wrong in more than half of these predictions.
So there you have it! Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments!
After the first round, I'll write my thoughts on the 2nd round, and so on. See you then!
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