After a very interesting 2014-15 NBA season where the seedings and the composition of the playoff teams don't quite matched what we expected in September or October of last year, it's time for another playoff run. The magic number is 16. 16 teams with a chance of lifting the Larry O'Brien trophy and 16 wins needed to do so. Now let's take a look at the teams
Western Conference
1 Golden State Warriors (Pacific champions; 3rd consecutive playoff appearance) vs 8 New Orleans Pelicans (returns to playoffs after 3 year drought)
Key Players: GSW Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andrew Bogut; NOP Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday, Omer Asik
4 Portland Trailblazers (Northwest champions; 2nd consecutive playoff appearance) vs 5 Memphis Grizzlies (5th consecutive playoff appearance)
Key Players: POR Lamarcus Aldrige, Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum; MEM Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Zach Randolph
3 Los Angeles Clippers (4th consecutive playoff appearance) vs 6 San Antonio Spurs (18th consecutive playoff appearance)
Key Players: LAC Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Deandre Jordan, JJ Redick; SAS Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili
2 Houston Rockets (Southwest champions; 3rd consecutive playoff appearance) vs 7 Dallas Mavericks (2nd consecutive playoff appearance)
Key Players: HOU James Harden, Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Donatas Motiejunas; DAL Dirk Nowitski, Rajon Rondo, Tyson Chandler, Monta Ellis, Tony Allen
This western conference looks stacked. All 8 teams have at least 1 championship caliber player and it will be a fight to the very end of each game. I'm not saying we're looking at 7 7-game series from the West but not even Warriors vs Pelicans looks like a sweep, especially considering the Pelicans managed to beat the Warriors and the Spurs in the dying days of the regular season to find their way in the playoffs at the expense of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Warriors, Rockets, and Trailblazers appear to be the favorites to make the finals but the Spurs, Clippers, and Grizzlies look tough and even the Mavericks and Pelicans can cause some problems for the heavyweights.
Eastern Conference
1 Atlanta Hawks (Southeast champions; 8th consecutive playoff appearance) vs 8 Brooklyn Nets (3rd consecutive playoff appearance)
Key Players: ATL Paul Millsap, Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver; BKN Brook Lopez, Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Thaddeus Young
4 Toronto Raptors (Atlantic champions; 2nd consecutive playoff appearance) vs 5 Washington Wizards (2nd consecutive playoff appearance)
Key Players: TOR DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Jonas Valanciunas, Terrence Ross; WAS John Wall, Paul Pierce, Marcin Gortat, Bradley Beal
3 Chicago Bulls (7th consecutive playoff appearance) vs 6 Milwaukee Bucks (returns to playoffs after 1 year drought)
Key Players: CHI Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noam, Pau Gasol, Derricke Rose; MIL Brandon Knight, Michael Carter-Williams, Jabari Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo
2 Cleveland Cavaliers (Central champions; returns to playoffs after 4 year drought) vs 7 Boston Celtics (returns to playoffs after 1 year drought)
Key Players: CLE Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, JR Smith; CEL Jeff Green, Avery Bradley, Isaiah Thomas, Jared Sullinger
I'm not so optimistic this side of the playoffs. A few really good teams like Cavs, Hawks, and Bulls, but some teams whose best players are a few years away from their best days. A lot of the players I listed look like future all stars but for now, I see some sweeps and not many close series. Even though Cavs, Bulls, and Hawks are all strong teams, if they are the East's hopes of winning the championship, I like my odds with the powerhouses of the West.
Predictions
First Round
Warriors win 4-2 over Pelicans: A lot of pressure on my favorite team to go far and the Pelicans are looking dangerous, but I think the Warriors will be fine.
Blazers fall 4-2 to Grizzlies: Close one but Grizzlies seem like just the better team
Clippers fall 4-2 to Spurs: Spurs are playoff experts and the Clippers are hot and cold. Spurs are rarely cold in April and I can't see them gone so soon.
Rockets win 4-3 over Mavericks: Closer than seedings suggest but I see the Rockets finding their way narrowly over an interesting and threatening team.
Hawks sweep Nets: Brooklyn are lucky to be here and have been underachievers matched up against an overachieving team.
Raptors fall 4-3 to Wizards: Expect the Toronto curse to continue. In a world where their baseball, hockey, and soccer teams fall below their expectations, basketball fail to offer much better.
Bulls win 4-1 over Bucks: Bulls have too much star power over an inexperienced Bucks side.
Cavs wins 4-1 over Celtics: Similar to Bulls and Bucks. Crystal clear for me but maybe some warning signs for Cavs.
Conference Semifinals
Warriors win 4-3 over Grizzlies: Grizzlies will push Warriors far but not far enough.
Spurs wins 4-3 over Rockets: Spurs playoff magic continues and Rockets will be left wondering how can they go further next season.
Hawks win 4-2 over Wizards: Could be an interesting matchup but how much will Wizards have left? Can't see them progressing.
Cavs wins 4-2 over Bulls: Good series hopefully but Cavs remain relatively unchallenged.
Conference finals
Warriors win 4-3 over Spurs: I may get some crap for this but Warriors have what it takes. Will not be easy at all.
Cavs wins 4-3 over Hawks: Cavs click and deny a surprise package from an even more incredible season.
Finals
Warriors win 4-2 over Cavs: West over East. Simple as that. And Warriors would make worthy winners.
We'll see how my predictions shape up. Let me know your thoughts.
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