2015 NBA Finals Preview: Cavaliers vs. Warriors

It's a marquee NBA Finals between MVP Stephen Curry and the league best Warriors and LeBron James and championship-starved Cleveland! Here's a match-up by match-up breakdown.

Point Guards: Kyrie Irving vs. Stephen Curry

Irving has been banged up much of this postseason, with a hurt left knee and right foot, which has limited his explosive effectiveness. At his best, he is one of the most dynamic players in the NBA, with his devastating handles, quickness, and lights out shooting. He also takes a lot of the burden off LeBron James since he consistently beats his man one-on-one, which draws help defenders and opens up shots for teammates. Meanwhile, Curry won the MVP for good reason. The leading scorer and assist man on the league's best team, his play-making ability and lights-out shooting (the best shooting PG in NBA history) has led Golden State to its first Finals appearance since 1975. He has been nearly unstoppable this postseason, averaging 29.6 ppg, 6.4 asg and shooting 44% from three-point range.
Edge: Warriors

Shooting Guards: Iman Shumpert vs. Klay Thompson

Shumpert was a midseason acquisition from the Knicks who brings good perimeter defense and three-point shooting to help Cleveland spread the floor. He has averaged 10.1 ppg this postseason, while also grabbing 5.4 rpg, and shooting 38% from three-point range. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson, assuming he is over the concussion-like symptoms he suffered from Game 5's clinching win over the Rockets, is critical to the Warriors' success with this sharp-shooting and perimeter defense, as he has averaged 20 ppg and shot 43% from three-point range, while also having to guard players like Tyreke Evans and James Harden this postseason. With both teams likely employing cross-matches, Thompson's defense on Irving, as well as Shumpert's defense on Curry will be a big key in this series.
Edge: Warriors

Small Forwards: LeBron James vs. Harrison Barnes

LeBron's outside shooting may be putrid this postseason (17.6% from three-point range?!?), but he has done everything else for the Cavaliers without Kevin Love and a healthy Irving. Averaging 27.6 ppg, 10.6 rpg, and 8.3 rpg, he has carried Cleveland back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2007 and given the city a legitimate chance at a championship in his first year back after four years in Miami. How effective he is against the top defensive team in the NBA in the Warriors will obviously big storyline in this series, as he should see a bevy of different defenders, from Harrison Barnes to Klay Thompson to NBA Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Draymond Green and even Andre Iguodala off the bench.  Speaking of Barnes, he's had a solid postseason, shining in Game 5's clincher over the Rockets with 24 points, while playing shutdown defense on James Harden. His impact on this series will be to stretch the floor by knocking down open jumpers, rebounding, and playing good defense on the best basketball player on the planet.
Significant Edge: Cavaliers

Power Forwards: Tristan Thompson vs. Draymond Green

Thompson has been a beast on the boards, averaging 9.9 rpg this postseason and 10.4 ppg, mostly off putbacks and hustle plays around the rim. If he can be as effective on the glass as he was against the Hawks and get more possessions for the Cavs against the NBA's top defensive team, then Cleveland has a great shot. Meanwhile, Green does it all for the Warriors, as he rebounds, runs the floor, and short threes. Most importantly, however, he anchors a great defensive team. He should match-up with LeBron for a good chunk of the games and he needs to keep LeBron in front of him and force him into long jumpers.
Edge: Warriors

Centers: Timofey Mozgov vs. Andrew Bogut

Both teams employ a lot of small-ball, so there are times this series when neither of these two will be in the game. Mozgov was acquired midseason to replace the injured Anderson Varajao and has fit in nicely, finishing around the rim, rebounding, and being the team's top shot blocker. Meanwhile, Bogut is the leading rebounder and shot blocker on the Warriors. His defense around the basket area against James' drives could be a key thing to watch for in this series. 
Edge: Warriors

Bench: JR Smith/Matthew Dellavedova/James Jones vs. Andre Iguodala/Festus Ezeli/Shaun Livingston/Leandro Barbosa
Cleveland has had to dig deep into its reserves, with Kyrie ailing and Kevin Love out for the season. JR Smith is the ultimate heat-check, streaky shooter, who has been lights out this postseason (40% for 3). Dellavedova has quickly made his name into a pesky (dirty?) player who defends at a high level and can knock down open jump shots, and can run the offense when Irving goes to the bench. Finally, James Jones (who is in his 5th-straight Finals riding LeBron's coattails) is a sharp shooter from three-point range as well. 
Meanwhile, Golden State's bench has been one of the best in the league this year and has continued to be in the playoffs. Andre Iguodala's jump shot has been awful, but his playmaking ability and perimeter defense has lifted the second unit. Ezeli has been more than capable as a backup center in limited minutes this postseason, with his rebounding and shot blocking. Finally, Livingston and Barbosa, playing limited backup minutes for Curry and Thompson, have provided sparks off the bench with their slashing and quick scoring ability.
Edge: Warriors

My prediction:
LeBron looks like a man on a mission to end Cleveland's championship drought and it would seem unwise to pick against him. However, I think the Cavs took advantage of weak Eastern Conference opponents and he will struggle against a Warriors team that will throw multiple defenders and multiple looks at him. I just don't think Kyrie Irving is healthy enough and Golden State's bench has been more consistent all-year long than the Cavaliers'. Give me the MVP of the league (this year) and the league's most complete team.

In 6.

Last round’s record: 2-0
Playoff record: 11-3

2015 NBA Playoffs: My Conference Finals Preview

Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors

My hometown Rockets became the 9th team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit and win the series, getting a triple double from James Harden in Game 5, a historic comeback fueled by Corey Brewer and Josh Smith in Game 6, and a dominant defensive performance in Game 7. This will be their first conference finals appearance since 1995. Meanwhile, Golden State survived a brief scare from the tough defense of the Grizzlies before advancing with three straight wins behind clinical offensive execution. 

This series should be fun to watch, as both teams are extremely explosive offensively, led by the MVP Stephen Curry and the runner-up for MVP James Harden. Around them, Golden State has a significant backcourt depth advantage, with fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson, and Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa off the bench. The Rockets have not played a backcourt as good as this one in the playoffs and could have trouble defensively. Both Klay and Steph thrive on moving without the basketball and running off screens and the Rockets do not have quick guards that defend shooters well (i.e. Jason Terry struggled with JJ Reddick for the first half of the Clippers series).

Down low, Josh Smith is the ultimate X-factor, as his play in the first two rounds elevated the Rockets to series wins. All in all, Smith, Dwight Howard, and Terence Jones have to outplay Draymond Green, Andrew Bogut, and David Lee in order for the Rockets to keep pace with the high flying Warriors.

While the Warriors have the better guards and the Rockets better low-post players, the wings may ultimately decide the series, with Harrison Barnes and Trevor Ariza's shooting and slashing ability, as well as the energy off the bench with Andre Iguodala and Corey Brewer.

I will be rooting for my Rockets to make it to the Finals for the first time since 1995, but I think Golden State's home court proves to the difference in the end.
Warriors in 7

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta HawksThe Cavaliers won a thrilling series with Bulls, their first without Kevin Love and with a hobbled Kyrie Irving, while the Hawks survived several Paul Pierce daggers and took advantage of the Wizards not having John Wall for Games 2-4 to reach their first ever Eastern Conference Finals. 

Atlanta has not been impressive this postseason, as they have struggled mightily to score at times. But given the Cavaliers' injury problems, they might not be a big problem. 

Match-up wise, PG should be fun to watch, with the starters Kyrie Irving (assuming he is healthy) and Jeff Teague, and the backups, in Matthew Dellavedova and Dennis Shroeder. At SG, Atlanta hopes to get Kyle Korver back on track, while Cleveland has depth in JR Smith and Iman Shumpert. Inside, Al Horford and Paul Millsap's offensive skills against the defense of Timofey Mosgov and Tristan Thompson should be fun to watch. 

At the wings, stopping LeBron James will be a huge key for the Hawks. DeMarre Carroll is playing the best basketball of his career at the moment and he and possibly Paul Millsap (when Cleveland downsizes) will have his hands full with James, who is carrying the Cavaliers like it's 2009 again. 

Speaking of downsizing, I expect to see a lot of that in this series. The Hawks love to finish games with Shroeder in the game with Jeff Teague, while Cleveland can always put LeBron at PF and Tristan Thompson at center and lose nothing defensively.

In the end, I think Cleveland has more experience, more depth, and the best player on the floor. I'll be pulling for you, Atlanta, but your magical season ends here. 

Cavaliers in 6

Rockets Comeback for the Ages forces Game 7

Simply stunning. The most amazing Houston Rockets game I've watched in my lifetime, as my team fell behind by 19 points midway through the third quarter, but outscored the Clippers 40-15 in the 4th quarter to force a Game 7 in this Western Conference semifinal series. And they did it all with MVP-runner-up James Harden on the bench, as head coach Kevin McHale went with a lineup of Jason Terry, Corey Brewer, Trevor Ariza, Josh Smith, and Dwight Howard down the stretch. The lineup stymied the Clippers offense, which became extremely stagnant, and also had good ball movement and clutch shot making from the likes of Smith and Brewer, who had really had awful series.

For a team that last Game 1 even though the Clippers were tired and were without Chris Paul, and were humiliated in Games 3 and 4 due to a horrific lack of effort, this series is somehow tied after a gritty win at home in Game 5 and last night's stunning comeback in LA. They'll be replaying this game for years to come in Houston, but let's finish the job on Sunday first. #Game7 #Pursuit

Al Horford Gives Hawks 3-2 Lead over Wizards

Moments after Paul Pierce hit a three-pointer from the corner that seemingly gave Washington the win, Al Horford grabs an offensive rebound off a Dennis Shroeder miss and gets the putback to give the Hawks an 82-81 win and a 3-2 series lead over the Wizards. The Hawks had come back from 11 down in the fourth, as the Wizards, with John Wall playing, seemed to have control of the series. But it was not to be. Game 6 is Friday in DC.

LeBron James Hits Buzzer Beater for Cavs to Tie Series with Bulls

The string buzzer beaters continues as LeBron James hits a jumper to the Eastern Conference semifinal between the Cavaliers and Bulls at 2 games apiece. Game 5 is Tuseday back in Cleveland.

Paul Pierce Banks in Winner for 2-1 Lead over Hawks

Incredible ending in Washington as the Wizards blow a 21-point fourth quarter lead but still win on a miraculous step-back bank shot by Paul Pierce at the buzzer, to beat the Hawks 103-101 and take a 2-1 lead in the series. This comes one day after Derrick Rose banked in a three at the buzzer for the Bulls to beat the Cavs to take a 2-1 lead. Game 4 of the series is Monday night at the Verizon Center.

2015 NBA Playoffs- Conference Semifinal Predictions

Western Conference

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors
Golden State swept the Pelicans and Memphis took out Portland easily, setting up this conference semifinal between teams with completely different styles. The Warriors attempt a ton of three pointers with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, while the Grizzlies will want to pound it down low with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. The status of Memphis PG Mike Conley, who is day-to-day with facial fractures will determine how long this series lasts, but ultimately Golden State is too talented for Memphis.
Warriors in 5

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets

The Clippers eliminated the defending champion Spurs in a spectacular 7-game series and will face my hometown Rockets, who disposed of Dallas in 5 games, in the 2nd round. As much as I want James Harden and Dwight Howard to lead my Rockets to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1995, I think Chris Paul (assuming he's not bothered by the strained hamstring he suffered in Game 7 against the Spurs on Saturday) will be too much for the us to handle, as without PG Pat Beverley, we don't have a player that can stay in front of him. (JJ Barea torched us in last round, and CP3 >> Barea)
Clippers in 6

Eastern Conference

Washington Wizards vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Wizards used a small-ball lineup to sweep away the horrid offense of the Raptors, while Atlanta survived a scare from the 38-win Nets, needing 6 games to put them away. John Wall vs. Jeff Teague is the key matchup in this series at the PG position, but I think Atlanta will be ready for the small-ball of the Wizards and their team-oriented offense will pose a much greater challenge to Washington than Toronto's isoball.
Hawks in 7

Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Bulls played around with the Bucks for 6 games, while Cavs swept Boston in round 1, but not without a price, as Cleveland lost Kevin Love for the rest of the playoffs with torn ligaments in his shoulder. How Chicago defends Kyrie Irving will determine whether or not they advance. Derrick Rose still looks rusty, and with Jimmy Butler having his hands full guarding LeBron, the Bulls need their front line of Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, and Taj Gibson to dominate the boards and control the pace. In the end, too much LeBron and Kyrie.
Cavaliers in 7

My First Round Record: 6-2