NBA Playoffs Preview: First Round

THE NBA PLAYOFFS ARE HERE! After 82-games were not much happened, it’s now time for the most predictable playoffs in sports. The Golden State Warriors lost 9 games all season. I don’t think they’ve lost four out of seven since Steve Kerr became the head coach. They won the title last year and they’re going to win the title this year. But for some reason, Dustin James wants me to write a playoff preview longer than “it’s 2 months of games to decide what was already known after 6 months of games.” So here we go.

As an added bonus, I’ve acquired the talents of Samer Kadi for his insight as well.

 Eastern Conference

1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8. Detroit Pistons

Even though the Cavaliers have LeBron James, the Pistons have the second coming of Michael Jordan. So that’s a wash. The Cavaliers have had issues throughout the season and there are reports about them not getting along and blah blah blah. But LeBron carried a team without Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to the Finals last year so the Pistons don’t scare him too much. The Pistons might win a game because Reggie Jackson is a playoff God based on that one game against Memphis a few years ago, but I wouldn’t even bet on that.

My Pick: Cavaliers in Four

Kadi: This season hasn't been smooth for the Cavaliers, despite a more or less impressive record and a rather straightforward number 1 seed. They controversially fired David Blatt mid season, in a move that utterly shocked Lebron James (no really, he said that) and Tyronn Lue hasn't exactly changed things. Their offense isn't clicking, with Kyrie Irving in particular being hit and miss, amidst reports of him being unhappy with the way the offense runs through Lebron. With shooters like JR Smith and Kevin Love, a scorer like Kyrie and Lebron James on their side, it's hard to quite pin-point why the offense isn't clicking, but their spacing is off and their ball movement is somewhat slow. Nevertheless, talent and Lebron James alone are enough for the Cavs to handily dispatch the Detroit Pistons, who will probably manage to steal one game.

Prediction: Cleveland in 5. 

2. Toronto Raptors vs. 7. Indiana Pacers

Canada has one NBA team and they made the playoffs. They have seven NHL teams and none of them made the playoffs. That tells me that the NBA should put more teams in Canada. No one cares about this series. The Raptors are a good team only made relevant by the constant appearances of Drake and the Pacers are a team that used to have a personality, but don’t anymore. Paul George is still good and Monta Ellis can get hot (or go very cold), but the Raptors have too much firepower with DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, and a potentially healthy DeMarre Carroll.

My Pick: Raptors in Five

Kadi: The Raptors have been a surprise package in just how good they have been this season. Kyle Lowry in particular has firmly cemented himself as one of the NBA's elite point guards, and a true leader on the team. Both he and DeRozan should have something to prove after last year's disappointing playoff run. Meanwhile, the Pacers have been patchy, starting out patchy and extremely inconsistent this year, despite a promising first couple of months to the season. Paul George couldn't quite maintain his incredible early season form, but he has a strong case for being the best player on the court. That alone makes this an extremely competitive series. Despite a talented squad that is somewhat underachieving in the East, the Pacers' inconsistency is unlikely to be solved when it counts the most, especially given their track record in the past few seasons, where better Pacers sides were disappointed in the playoffs. I expect a messy series with plenty of ups and downs from both teams. 

Prediction: Toronto in 7. 

3. Miami Heat vs. 6. Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte was my sleeper team to start the year due to their acquisition of Jeremy Lamb, the greatest shooting guard in OKC history. Miami bounced back after a LeBron-less season thanks to a healthy Chris Bosh, who is unfortunately no longer healthy. The Hornets have the backcourt to give the Heat a lot of trouble in this series and without Bosh, the Heat will have to rely a lot on an aging Dwyane Wade.

My Pick: Hornets in Six

Kadi: Speaking of surprise packages, the Charlotte Hornets aren't getting enough credit for the seasons they've had. Kemba Walker has had a quietly fantastic season, while Jeremy Lin has been very productive off the bench. Al Jefferson remains a solid big man despite a drop off in his numbers, while Jeremy Lamb continues to stop Jeremy Lambert's dreams from turning to reality. The Heat have had a rough break once more with Chris Bosh's injury, which is unfortunate as they've amassed a complete team. Dwayne Wade has rolled back the years, Hassan Whiteside, temper aside, is a machine, and somehow, the addition of Joe Johnson has been incredibly beneficial. It's a tough series to call, but I'll go with the Heat. 

Prediction: Miami in 6. 

4. Atlanta Hawks vs. 5. Boston Celtics

These two teams mirror each other. Sound defensively and well-coached. The only difference is the Hawks have the experience while the Celtics have the game-changing player in Isiah Thomas. I’ve really liked this Celtics team all year and think Brad Stevens is one of the best coaches in the league. This will probably be a defensive battle, but I’m going to go with Isiah Thomas and crew.

My Pick: Celtics in Seven

Kadi: If you've read the NBA playoffs roundtable, you know my thoughts on this. As I said, I'm officially picking the Celtics for the "upset." 

Prediction: Boston in 7. 

Western Conference

1. Golden State Warriors vs. 8. Houston Rockets

It’s great that the Rockets got the 8 seed so we can watch them implode even further against the Warriors. Howard is an underrated playoff performer, but the Warriors will go small and basically play him off the court. James Harden has a history of sucking in the playoffs and chances are Steph Curry will embarrass again. It’d be great if the Rockets could scare the Warriors a little, but that’s not happening. The Rockets are a mess and the Warriors are the best team in history.

My Pick: Warriors in Four

Kadi: Somehow, Houston has made it to the playoffs, despite a season full of turmoil and a baffling decision to fire Kevin McHale very early. James Harden has tried to carry them on his back, to mixed results, and he and Dwight Howard have tried to coexist (probably), and to results that were, well, not mixed. They failed, and failed miserably, but produced one of the season's greatest botched alley-oops, The Rockets are not much of a team. They'll jack up plenty of threes, make some, miss a lot, fail to communicate on defense, and rely on James Harden... a lot. He'll have explosions for sure, and he'll get his numbers, but I don't see that translating to anything that a single win, if that. For their part, the Golden State Warriors are the Golden State Warriors. 

Prediction: Golden State in 5. 

2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 7. Memphis Grizzlies

I love this Memphis team because it’s just a collection of annoying players that everyone hates. Lance Stephenson, Matt Barnes, Tony Allen, Zach Randolph, and Birdman Anderson are five players that no one can possibly like and opponents hate playing against. They aren’t exactly good players, they’re just really annoying and frustrating. This could be an issue against an undisciplined team, but we’re taking about the Spurs here. They are emotionless robots who won’t be dragged down by ear blowing and mouth chewing. 

My Pick: Spurs in Four

Kadi: I would say something about this series, but the Memphis Grizzlies have probably lost 3 additional players to injury since I've typed this sentence. This won't be much of a contest. The Spurs will be efficient, effective, and clinical. Memphis will go home with their heads held high as they were really up against it this season with both Mike Conley and Marc Gasol being out. 

Prediction: San Antonio in 4. 

3. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 6. Dallas Mavericks

For some reason people think the Thunder is in shambles because they lost so many televised games. I’ve watched just about every OKC game this year. They aren’t as good as the Spurs, Warriors, or even Cavaliers. But they’re way better than a completely overmatched Dallas team that they swept in the regular season and even beat them without KD. If OKC beats you without KD, you know you have issues because this team hasn’t beaten a single good team without Durant in the last two seasons. Dallas will get hot in one game and Dirk will turn back the clock, but that’s all the Mavs are getting.

My Pick: Thunder in Five

Kadi: Well, you gotta hand it to Dallas for consistency. However, if this turns into a competitive series, then OKC need to really have a look in the mirror as this is an extremely favorable match-up. Dallas simply can't touch Durant and Westbrook, or OKC's overall athleticism, will likely get smashed on the boards, and outside of some vintage Dirk performances, have little hope. 

Prediction: Oklahoma City in 5. 

4. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 5. Portland Trail Blazers

By far the most interesting match-up in the first round out west. The Clippers are the better team and I’m not sure the Blazers have an answer for Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, but never doubt a team that has a player like Damian Lillard, who can get hot from three and take over the game. The Blazers were the surprise team of the year and the Clippers are known chokers in the playoffs. Lillard won’t be enough, but the games should be competitive.

My Pick: Clippers in Six

Kadi: Undoubtedly the most competitive series out west, but Damian Lillard needs to play the basketball of his life. The Clippers can be inexplicably bad at times, and have some pretty terrible collapses, but they are a better, more complete team. Portland will hit its barrage of three pointers, but the Clippers have more options. Jamal Crawford will do his thing off the bench, Chris Paul will dribble the ball 15 times, yell at his teammates to go to the right spots, then run a high pick and roll before throwing a lob, and Deandre Jordan will miss free throws...a lot. Quite how Blake Griffin fits in after his return remains to be seen, the Clippers should win this. 

Prediction: Clippers in 6.