Western Conference
1 Golden State Warriors vs. 8 New Orleans Pelicans
The red-hot Warriors set a franchise-record with 67 wins this season. Guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are coming off a week where Curry made 77 straight three-pointers in an open gym, while Thompson scored 42 points against the Grizzlies earlier this week. It’s going to be tough to stop the backcourt in the Bay Area, but New Orleans has their own weapon in forward Anthony Davis. Davis and company will cause a lot of problems, but can the Pelicans outscore the Warriors at all?
Warriors in 5
2 Houston Rockets vs. 7 Dallas Mavericks
In the battle of Texas, James Harden and Dwight Howard are finally healthy as they will compete against their cross-state rival Mavericks. The Rockets are looking to avenge their first-round exit last season. The veteran starting lineup of Rajon Rondo, Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons, Dirk Nowitzki, and Tyson Chandler are destined to pull this upset. The Rockets may struggle as they lost starting point guard Patrick Beverley to a wrist injury a month ago. Can Dallas contain Harden and steal a win or two in Houston?
Rockets in 7
3 Los Angeles Clippers vs. 6 San Antonio Spurs
The Clippers finally have their opportunity to prove that they are one of the NBA’s elite. If you want to win the title, you must beat the defending champs. San Antonio had an and up and down season, but they’re coming into the playoffs hot winning 11 of their last 12 games. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will be tested to the max against Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Can the Clippers bench make the difference and help take the load off Paul and Griffin’s shoulders?
Spurs in 6
4 Portland Trailblazers vs. 5 Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are back for their fifth consecutive playoff appearance as they’ll have homecourt advantage against the Blazers. The Grizzlies’ grit and grind style of play proved to dominate Portland this season as Memphis swept Portland 4-0. The Blazers may have a chance in this series as the Grizz are limping into the playoffs with the recent injuries to Mike Conley and Tony Allen. Portland may have Damian Lillard and Lamarcus Aldrige, but can the rest of the team carry their load to knock off Memphis?
Grizzlies in 7
Eastern Conference
1 Atlanta Hawks vs. 8 Brooklyn Nets
The 60-win Hawks are a team that you have to guard from beyond the arc. Atlanta shocked the league this year with their offensive spacing and impressive three-point shooting. Two years ago, Brooklyn would have been the favorite in this series when Deron Williams and Joe Johnson were in the prime of their careers. Can Brookyln get some of their old mojo back? Times have changed Brookyln.
Hawks in 6
2 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 7 Boston Celtics
LeBron James is back in the playoffs against a team he is very familiar with in the Boston Celtics. These aren’t the same Celtics that had Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett, but they’re a feisty team. Isaiah Thomas has been a revelation since coming over from Phoenix as he led Boston to the second-best record in the East since the trade deadline. Despite their success, the talent disparity is completely favored in Cleveland.
Cavaliers in 4
3 Chicago Bulls vs. 6 Milwaukee Bucks
Derrick Rose is back in the NBA Playoffs for the first time since his injury in 2012. Rose looks about 80 percent and is destined to turn on the jets now that he is back in the postseason. Pau Gasol and Jimmy Butler are two other weapons that Chicago is going to throw at the Bucks when Rose is on the floor. I think the Bulls have just too many offensive weapons for young sBucks star Giannis Anteotokounmpo to keep up with.
Bulls in 5
4 Toronto Raptors vs. 5 Washington Wizards
This series features two of the up-and-coming teams in the Eastern Conference. Kyle Lowry against John Wall should be one of the most entertaining match-ups in the playoffs. The Wizards may not be so young anymore with the veteran addition of Paul Pierce. The former Celtic and Net should provide a lot of playoff experience to help Washington. Can Toronto learn from their first round exit last year to defeat Washington? I believe Pierce will be the difference to give the Wizards the edge.
Wizards in 6
