It's the most wonderful time of the year! NBA Playoff basketball begins today, and here are my first round predictions.
Western Conference
Warriors in 5 over Pelicans: Anthony Davis led New Orleans to the playoffs for the first time since 2011, but they are running into a juggernaut in the league's best team.
Grizzlies in 6 over Blazers: Both teams are banged up, but I think Marc Gasol and Memphis survives the war of attrition.
Spurs in 7 over Clippers: San Antonio shockingly fell from 2 to 6 after their loss to New Orleans Saturday, but they are still one of the hottest team's in the NBA. Kawhi Leonard's play carries the defending champs over Blake Griffin and CP3 in Game 7 in LA.
Rockets in 7 over Mavericks: Offensive firepower aplenty on both sides with the MVP James Harden against Dirk, Monta, and the Mavs. There's also the juicy plot of Jason Terry and Corey Brewer, as well as Chandler Parsons facing their former teams in the playoffs. Give me the Beard and the defense of Trevor Ariza and a healthy Dwight Howard and Josh Smith.
Eastern Conference
Hawks in 5 over Nets: There is no way a 38-win team should make the playoffs, but alas, this is the Eastern Conference we're talking about. Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson may get the Nets one game, but Coach Budenholzer's top-seed Hawks advance easily.
Raptors in 7 over Nets: Great backcourt matchup between Toronto's Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan and Washington's John Wall and Bradley Beal. I think Toronto has learned from last year's 7 game series against the Nets about how to win close games in the playoffs and advance to play Atlanta.
Bulls in 5 over Bucks: Jason Kidd has done an amazing job leading the Greek Freak and the Bucks back to the postseason, but their great season ends at the hands of Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol and the well-coached veteran Bulls.
Cavaliers in 4 over Celtics: Brad Stevens has similarly done a great job with a young Boston roster in flux (they traded Rajon Rondo mid-year). But LeBron and the Cavs have too much talent and veteran experience to play around with the Celtics.
Rockets in 7 over Mavericks: Offensive firepower aplenty on both sides with the MVP James Harden against Dirk, Monta, and the Mavs. There's also the juicy plot of Jason Terry and Corey Brewer, as well as Chandler Parsons facing their former teams in the playoffs. Give me the Beard and the defense of Trevor Ariza and a healthy Dwight Howard and Josh Smith.
Eastern Conference
Hawks in 5 over Nets: There is no way a 38-win team should make the playoffs, but alas, this is the Eastern Conference we're talking about. Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson may get the Nets one game, but Coach Budenholzer's top-seed Hawks advance easily.
Raptors in 7 over Nets: Great backcourt matchup between Toronto's Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan and Washington's John Wall and Bradley Beal. I think Toronto has learned from last year's 7 game series against the Nets about how to win close games in the playoffs and advance to play Atlanta.
Bulls in 5 over Bucks: Jason Kidd has done an amazing job leading the Greek Freak and the Bucks back to the postseason, but their great season ends at the hands of Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol and the well-coached veteran Bulls.
Cavaliers in 4 over Celtics: Brad Stevens has similarly done a great job with a young Boston roster in flux (they traded Rajon Rondo mid-year). But LeBron and the Cavs have too much talent and veteran experience to play around with the Celtics.
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