NBA Playoffs: First Round Preview

Photo Credit: ballerball

The NBA regular season concluded on Wednesday night, and the first round is ready to start on Saturday. There are many exciting matchups in this year’s playoffs and I will break them all down for you, including the schedule for each matchup incase you’re too lazy to check yourself. I’ll start in the Eastern Conference because it’s generally seen as the more boring conference, and you always want to save the best for last.

* denotes a game that will only be played if the series isn’t over in four games

(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (8) Brooklyn Nets

Game 1 – Sun. April 19, Brooklyn at Atlanta, 5:30 PM, TNT
Game 2 – Wed . April 22, Brooklyn at Atlanta, 7:00 PM, NBA TV
Game 3 – Sat. April 25, Atlanta at Brooklyn, 3:00 PM, TNT
Game 4 – Mon. April 27, Atlanta at Brooklyn, TBD
Game 5 * – Wed. April 29, Brooklyn at Atlanta, TBD
Game 6 *- Fri. May 1, Atlanta at Brooklyn, TBD
Game 7 *- Sun. May 3, Brooklyn at Atlanta, TBD

This series doesn’t look like it’ll be much of anything. The Atlanta Hawks are 4-0 in their season series against the Nets and are just a better team all around. Plus, the fact that only two eighth seeds have ever won their first round matchups plays in the Hawks favor. The Hawks are not strangers to the playoffs. They are also not a young team. They’ve got seasoned veterans such as Kyle Korver, Paul Milsap and Al Horford. However, they do have their 26-year-old point guard Jeff Teague to bring a spark if they need it. The Nets have veterans such as Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez that will try to lead the charge past the Hawks. Every team always has a chance, even if it’s small, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up if you’re a Nets fan.

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Boston Cetlics

Game 1 – Sun. April 19, Boston at Cleveland, 3:00 PM, ABC/R
Game 2 – Tue. April 21, Boston at Cleveland, 7:00 PM, TNT
Game 3 – Thu. April 23, Cleveland at Boston, 7:00 PM, TNT
Game 4 – Sun. April 26, Cleveland at Boston, 1:00 PM, ABC
Game 5 * – Tue. April 28, Boston at Cleveland, TBD
Game 6 * – Thu. April 30, Cleveland at Boston, TBD
Game 7 * – Sat. May 2, Boston at Cleveland , TNT

This series may end up being surprisingly fun to watch. Since acquiring Isaiah Thomas at the NBA trade deadline, the Boston Celtics have posted a winning record. The season series between these two teams is tied at two games each. Granted, the Cavs were resting most of their starters in both of the Celtics wins. The Cavs obviously have the upper hand in this series. Any team that features LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love is capable of blowing any team out on any night, it’s just a matter of consistency. The Celtics will definitely have a chance to beat the Cavs, but it’s very unlikely. One thing’s for sure, this series has potential to go longer than four games.

(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks

Game 1 – Sat. April 18, Milwaukee at Chicago, 7:00 PM, ESPN
Game 2 – Mon. April 20, Milwaukee at Chicago, 8:00 PM, TNT
Game 3 – Thu. April 23, Chicago at Milwaukee, 8:00 PM, NBA TV
Game 4 – Sat . April 25, Chicago at Milwaukee, 5:30 PM, TNT
Game 5 *- Mon. April 27, Milwaukee at Chicago, TBD
Game 6 * – Thu. April 30, Chicago at Milwaukee, TBD
Game 7 * – Sat. May 2, Milwaukee at Chicago, TNT

The Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the least talked about playoff teams this season. They are somewhat of a mystery. They started the season with Brandon Knight as their point guard but at the trade deadline they traded Knight away and acquired Michael Carter-Williams from the 76ers. The Bulls on the other hand, have been one of the most talked about teams. With or without Derrick Rose, the Bulls have been one of the toughest teams this season and the fact that Rose is healthy and playing well heading into the playoffs plays into their favor. I personally don’t see the Bucks as a team that will be able to put up much of a fight against this consistent Bulls team. However, in the four games that these two clubs played this year the Bucks were able to pull one out.

(4) Toronto Raptors vs. (5) Washington Wizards

Game 1 – Sat. April 18, Washington at Toronto, 12:30 PM, ESPN
Game 2 – Tue. April 21, Washington at Toronto, 8:00 PM, NBA TV
Game 3 – Fri. April 24, Toronto at Washington, 8:00 PM, ESPN2
Game 4 – Sun. April 26, Toronto at Washington, 7:00 PM, TNT
Game 5 *- Wed. April 29, Washington at Toronto, TBD
Game 6 * – Fri. May 1 ,Toronto at Washington, TBD
Game 7 * – Sun. May 3, Washington at Toronto, TBD

In theory, this should be the best series of the opening round in the Eastern Conference. But in reality, it may be over quicker than most may think. The Wizards are a team that struggles with consistency. They haven’t had a consistent scorer all season. Both of their premier players – John Wall and Bradley Beal- are averaging under 20 points per game. For this reason, they will need to make sure that they play good team basketball and pick apart the Raptors defense with their passing, not their isolation plays. John Wall has been dishing out ten assists per game though, so their passing should be pretty smooth. The Raptors on the other hand will surely rely on point guard Kyle Lowry and shooting guard DeMar Derozan to put points on the board. The Raptors are up three games to none in the season series, so they will have the advantage in this matchup, but don’t expect the Wizards to go out without a fight.

Now, we’ll move on to the Western Conference, where everything is a lot more open.

(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans

Game 1 – Sat. April 18, New Orleans at Golden State, 3:30 PM, ABC/R
Game 2 – Mon. April 20, New Orleans at Golden State, 10:30 PM , TNT
Game 3 – Thu. April 23, Golden State at New Orleans, 9:30 PM, TNT
Game 4 – Sat. April 25, Golden State at New Orleans, 8:00 PM ,ESPN
Game 5 * – Tue. April 28, New Orleans at Golden State, TBD
Game 6 * – Fri. May 1, Golden State at New Orleans, TBD
Game 7 * – Sun. May 3, New Orleans at Golden State, TBD

This is another fairly simple matchup and easily the most predictable out of all the Western Conference matchups. The Pelicans fought for a playoff spot that went all the way down to their last game of the year, while the Warriors have been dominating the NBA all season behind MVP candidate Stephen Curry. Now, the Warriors haven’t been all that successful in the past when it comes to the playoffs. They will also surely be concerned about the health of their big men down low. These two flaws could open the door for the Pelicans to win a game or two, but I don’t see them having any chance to win the series.

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks

Game 1 – Sat. April 18, Dallas at Houston, 9:30 PM, ESPN
Game 2 – Tue. April 21, Dallas at Houston, 9:30 PM, TNT
Game 3 – Fri. April 24, Houston at Dallas, 7:00 PM, ESPN
Game 4 – Sun. April 26, Houston at Dallas, 9:30 PM, TNT
Game 5 * – Tue. April 28, Dallas at Houston, TBD
Game 6 * – Thu. April 30, Houston at Dallas, TBD
Game 7 * – Sat. May 2, Dallas at Houston, TNT

The Rockets are a great team led by MVP candidate James Harden, but they are far from secure. The Mavericks are led by the likes of Dirk Nowitzki, Rajon Rondo and Monta Ellis. They also have former Houston Rocket Chandler Parsons. Both teams are full of talent and potential. The Mavericks have loads of talent but haven’t quite been able to put it together. If they can figure it out in the playoffs then the Rockets could be in for a scare. Still, the Rockets are the superior team, and I would expect a series win from them.

(3) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (6) San Antonio Spurs

Game 1 – Sun. April 19, San Antonio at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 PM, TNT
Game 2 – Wed. April 22, San Antonio at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 PM, TNT
Game 3 – Fri. April 24, L.A. Clippers at San Antonio, 9:30 PM, ESPN
Game 4 – Sun. April 26, L.A. Clippers at San Antonio, 3:30 PM, ABC
Game 5 – * Tue. April 28, San Antonio at L.A. Clippers,TBD
Game 6 – * Thu. April 30, L.A. Clippers at San Antonio,TBD
Game 7 – * Sat. May 2, San Antonio at L.A. Clippers, TNT

If I were to pick a round one upset, it would surely be this series. The Spurs are hot and everyone should know at this point to never count Gregg Popovich and the Spurs out come April. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli just seem to never give up. With the help of Kawhi Leonard they have become a truly formidable squad. The Clippers are full of talent and have a championship caliber coach, but they have failed to make an impact in the playoffs in the Chris Paul era. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see the Clippers collapse in a monumental way and fall victim to the seemingly never ending Spurs dynasty.

(4) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies

Game 1 – Sun. April 19, Portland at Memphis, 8:00 PM, TNT
Game 2 – Wed. April 22, Portland at Memphis, 8:00 PM, TNT
Game 3 – Sat. April 25, Memphis at Portland, 10:30 PM, ESPN
Game 4 – Mon. April 27, Memphis at Portland, 10:30 PM, TNT
Game 5 *- Wed. April 29, Portland at Memphis, TBD
Game 6 * – Fri. May 1, Memphis at Portland, TBD
Game 7 *– Sun. May 3, Portland at Memphis, TBD

First off, I would just like to point out that although the Grizzlies are the lower seed, they own home court advantage in this matchup, so don’t be confused when you see the games starting on the Grizzlies home court. In terms of actual basketball, the Grizzlies are the type of team that can give the Trail Blazers problems. They play tough, physical basketball in the post which plays right into the weaknesses of the Portland Trail Blazers. Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley will also create problems for Blazers star Damian Lillard  as he looks to make his impact known. That is, if Conley can returm from injury in time. We can be sure to see quite a few defensive battles, as well as fourth quarters highlighted by Damian Lillard shredding defenses in an attempt to bring the Trailblazers back. This matchup is sure to be a thriller all the way through.