NBA Eastern Conference Preview: Celtics vs Bulls

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Just as we all thought. Boston and Chicago battling in the 1/8 matchup. We all had the Isaiah Thomas led Celtics edging out the Cavaliers for the one-seed and the Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo Bulls needing game 82 to edge out the Heat for the last playoff spot. So we’re all on the same page, good.

The battle between maybe the two most storied franchises in the history of the NBA should provide a fair mount of intrigue. One vs. eight matchups have been traditionally been blowouts, especially in recent seasons. However, this matchup is not as open and shut as recent matchups.

Three of the four games this season between Boston and Chicago were decided by seven points or fewer, with the Bulls winning both of their home games verse the Celtics. Taj Gibson and Robin Lopez bode well for Chicago having success inside and on the boards, while Rondo, Wade and Butler are all experienced ball handlers that can take over a game in unique ways.

The biggest obstacle for the Bulls will be stopping Thomas, who is having a career year. In a season that has showcased some of the most ridiculous numbers of most of our lifetimes, and performances that will be etched in the record books, Thomas has still garnered some MVP buzz for his 4^th quarter pizazz and leading Boston to the top seed in the East.

According to ESPN BPI, Boston has a 72 percent chance to win the series, which is surprisingly just five percent higher than the fourth seeded Wizards to win their first round matchup. However, because of Thomas and head coach Brad Stevens, our prediction is that Boston will prevail in five games, but expect five close games.

NBA Western Conference First Round Preview: Rockets vs Thunder

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The two top MVP candidates will square off in the first round of the Western Conference as Russell Westbrook and the sixth seeded Oklahoma City Thunder will face James Harden and the third seeded Houston Rockets.

Westbrook averaged a triple double during the regular season and recorded 42 triple doubles, the most in one season in NBA history. Harden has led Houston to 55 wins during the season.

This could easily be a seven game series. No matter who wins this series will still be remembered as a great team.

NBA Western Conference First Round Preview: Warriors vs Trail Blazers

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Raise your hand if you want to see some high energy, high scoring, three-ball shooting, ball-handling guards take over the game. Good, me too. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum all sharing the same court. You can even throw Kevin Durant in there too for good measure. The over/under number of threes per game should be near 20, and who wouldn’t love watching that?

While entertaining, this matchup provides no true competition to the Warriors quest for a third straight Finals appearance. They’ve beaten Portland in all four games they’ve played this year, and by an average of nearly 20 points per contest. The Warriors have averaged 125 points, and the Trailblazers have not had any drastic change since their last meeting to encourage that number will drastically decrease.

While Lillard is a star that lives for the playoffs, and loves to shine when the lights are the brightest, his one-man band show matches up poorly against the well-oiled machine Golden State has assembled.

ESPN BPI says the Trailblazers have less than a one percent chance of pulling the upset, and we have no reason to disagree. Lillard and company pull one heroic game in Portland, but the other four are blowouts as the Warriors advance in five.

NBA Eastern Conference First Round Playoff Preview: Cavs vs Pacers

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The defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers will be facing a rival Indiana Pacers team in the first round of the 2017 playoffs. This time around the Cavaliers are the second seed, a different outcome than Lebron’s past few stints facing Paul George and company when he was on the Miami Heat. The Cavs started the season out strong by finishing at 40-16 by Feb. 23, but after injuries and trades that disrupted chemistry they finished 11-15. The Cavs defense has been dreadful in the regular season and if they have any hope of getting out of the east they must put more effort into that end of the floor.

The Pacers brought back Lance Stephenson who appears to have lit a spark for this lower tier eastern conference team. Less than two weeks ago, Indiana was three games under .500 and more likely to be in the lottery than making the playoffs. After improving their rebounding significantly and Paul George stepping his production up from 21.8 to 26.8 PPG they have become a force to be reckoned with.

Regardless of The Pacer's improved play as the regular season finishes up, Lebron James is still the best player on the planet and with his legacy on the line he isn't backing down from anyone. No, not even Lance Stephenson blowing in his ear again is going to cost them a game. Cavs in four games. 

NBA Eastern Conference First Round Preview: Raptors vs Bucks

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The Toronto Raptors will face the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Raptors are playing as a three seed while the Bucks are playing as the sixth seed. This is the first time that head coach Jason Kidd has led the team to the postseason.

These two teams met twice in the regular season. The Raptors won both games. The first game was a 105-99 win and the second one was a 122-100 win. It appears the advantage is in favor of the Raptors.

NBA Western Conference First Round Preview: Spurs vs Grizzlies

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The San Antonio Spurs look to prove the doubters wrong in the post-Tim Duncan era. Greg Popovich’s squad currently holds a 60-18 record and are a lock for the second seed in the Western Conference. The Spurs have maintained their success once again this season with the help of Kawhi Leonard who has made a strong argument for MVP.

They will face a gritty Memphis team led by first year coach David Fizdale. The same old parts are back for the seventh seed. Marc Gasol is still one of the premiere big men in the game and Mike Conley remains arguably the most the underrated player in the league. Zac Randolph is now coming off the bench and former member of the Crimson Tide, JaMychal Green, is their starting power forward. With defensive stud Tony Allen and the age defying Vince Carter still producing, this team can cause significant problems for The Spurs.

The Grizzlies’ newest system allows for more three-point attempts which has worked wonders for the team. This opening series between old rivals looks to be far from a sweep. My prediction is The San Antonio Spurs in six games.