You can tell that the playoffs are different from the opening tip. Every possession is meaningful. Nobody takes a play off. Defenses lock down and points are at a premium. The cream just about always rises to the top. Here
You can tell that the playoffs are different from the opening tip. Every possession is meaningful. Nobody takes a play off. Defenses lock down and points are at a premium. The cream just about always rises to the top. Here are some first-round predictions determining who will rise into round two.
Eastern Conference
(1) Miami Heat vs. (8) Milwaukee Bucks: Making the playoffs is a small accomplishment for Milwaukee, but they’re going to have a very short stay. Miami is far too powerful for the Bucks to make any sort of noise. Miami 4, Milwaukee 0
(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) Boston Celtics: Despite the seed differential, this may be the most interesting Eastern Conference series. Boston has survived the season-ending injury to Rajon Rondo and played better than expected behind the emergence of Jeff Green. New York had its best season in 16 years and has won 16 of its past 18 games behind scoring champ Carmelo Anthony and likely Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith. The current emotion in Boston adds an extra element to this already intense rivalry. New York 4, Boston 2
(3)Indiana Pacers vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks: The Pacers were one of the hottest teams in the league on April 1, but lost five of their final six games. Luckily for them, they avoid the Chicago Bulls and get the Hawks, who don’t (ever) seem all that enthused or motivated. Indiana has a stellar starting five and can throw big bodies at its opponent, making it a matchup nightmare for most East teams. Indiana 4, Atlanta 1
(4) Brooklyn Nets vs. (5) Chicago Bulls: Brooklyn has become the team it was hoping to be all year. Deron Williams has been the player many used to argue was the best point guard in the league and has formed a nice relationship alongside All-Star center Brook Lopez. Chicago is built on team defense and individual grit, with center Joakim Noah a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. The Nets have been great this month, but I think the Bulls present matchup problems that can stifle Brooklyn’s role players and put even more pressure on Williams and Lopez. Chicago 4, Brooklyn 2
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Houston Rockets: Here’s an atypical 1-8 matchup that has some fascinating elements. James Harden faces his old OKC teammates, who haven’t missed a beat without his services. Houston has a ton of firepower, but trying to match the pace and scoring of Oklahoma City is a recipe for disaster. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook take care of business in a fun, albeit short series. Oklahoma City 4, Houston 1
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers: Other than the devastating loss of Kobe Bryant, things could not have fallen better for the Lakers. They weren’t even a certainty to make the playoffs heading into the final day of the season, but they move all the way to the 7-seed and face the limping Spurs instead of the Thunder. These franchises have had some classic series in the past and this could be another good one. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are supposed to be ready to go for Game 1, so at full strength, I like the Spurs to barely escape. San Antonio 4, L.A. Lakers 3
(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Golden State Warriors: I know I said defenses clamp down in the playoffs, but ignore that for this series. Denver and Golden State should be flying up and down the court behind lightning quick guards Ty Lawson and Stephen Curry, respectively. Curry can fill it up like few others, having just set the league record for 3-pointers made in a season, but Denver is too good at home and too deep, even after recently losing Danilo Galinari to a torn ACL. As long as Kenneth Faried suits up for the Nuggets, they’ll be too much for the Warriors. Denver 4, Golden State 1
(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies: These teams met in the first round last year and went seven games with the Clippers emerging victorious. It should be another close series, but I think Memphis gains some revenge. The Grizzlies want to play physical and methodical and they do both better than the Clippers. They have great size to go with great individual defensive players. The Clippers’ Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are a better duo than last season, but I think the Grizzlies are hungrier. Memphis 4, L.A. Clippers 2
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