The 2015 NBA Playoffs are underway. In the first round for the Eastern conference we have the #1 seed Atlanta Hawks playing against the #8 seed Brooklyn Nets. The Hawks are the favorite in this series. They have had an incredible regular season and were able to earn the #1 spot. They have been historically bad in the playoffs, having never made it past the first round. This year they have more than a good chance at beating the Nets and moving to the second round. The #2 seed Cavs are playing the #7 seed Celtics. The Cavs are the favorite by a long shot in this series. After a rocky start to the season, they have been clicking on all levels in the second half after some key additions to their lineup, including J.R. Smith, Timofey Mozgov, and Iman Shumpert. They should have no problem taking this series. The #3 Chicago Bulls are playing the #6 seed Milwaukee Bucks. The Bulls have also had a tough season after Derrick Rose has been battling injury after injury. Lucky for them, he has returned to the lineup and has been playing outstanding for the first two games. The Bulls have already taken the first two games in Chicago and they should be able to finish this series within the next 3 games. To finish off the eastern conference we have the #5 seed Washington Wizards playing against the #4 seed Toronto Raptors. This may be the closest matchup of the first round in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards started off hot in the beginning of the year but have since hit some bumps with injuries to starter Bradley Beal. Toronto is the favorite in the series. Having said this, I believe the Wizards can come out on top in this series and make it to the second round.
As for the western conference, to start we have the #1 seed Golden State Warriors vs the #8 seed New Orleans Pelicans. The Warriors this year have been outstanding. MVP candidate Steph Curry has been shooting lights out and this combined with the other outstanding young talent the Pelicans may have a hard time winning a game in this series. Next we have #2 seed Houston Rockets vs. the #7 seed Dallas Mavericks. James Harden, another MVP candidate, has carried this team all season and has looked unstoppable. This being said, the Dallas Mavericks are veterans in the playoffs, having won the Championship a few years ago. With future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, they have a good chance of knocking of the Rockets in this 7 game series. The #3 seed Los Angeles Clippers are playing the #6 seed San Antonio Spurs in our next matchup. Just like the Mavericks, the Spurs have a couple future hall of famers and 5 time champion Tim Duncan and two 4 time champions in Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli, they would be a hard matchup for any team. The Clippers did prove in the last game that they are prepared and are ready for the challenge. This may end up being a 7 game series, but I think the Clippers can come out on top. Finally, we have the #4 Portland Trail Blazers vs the #5 Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies have been undefeated in the regular season against the Trail Blazers. Portland does have some great young talent in Damien Lillard but are missing a key 3 point shooter in Wesley Matthews. I believe the Grizzlies should be able to take this series in 5 games.
Cole great blog. I am sad this is the last time I will get to read your blog. Your posts are always so knowledgeable and interesting. I look forward to the NBA finals as well.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed your blog this semester. I like that you are not afraid to pick an upset - although, I'm not sure many of them are going to pan out. I am most surprised by the Atlanta Hawks not dominating like they did during the regular season. My friends there have already written the team off because of all the past disappointments - but not me yet!
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