1) Golden State Warriors
5) Memphis Grizzlies
Prediction: Warriors in 5
Why?: I was almost burned picking the Warriors to sweep the Pelicans, but thanks to the Warriors incredible resiliency they did sweep New Orleans. Golden State proved they're not just a flashy, finesse, 82-game running highlight reel that wouldn't hold up in the post season. They faced serious adversity from a game Pelicans team that gave them fits at times in that series, they won game 3 on a 20 point comeback driven by toughness (and an absolutely incredible shot by Steph). That same resiliency is why I am confident in saying the Dubs will have little issue handling the slow
and Conley-less Grizzlies. Golden State went 2-1 and their two wins saw them smashing the Grizz, except for the fourth quarter of the third game in which the Warrior reserves nearly blew a 93-66 lead. Steph Curry dropped 38, while handing out 10 assists in a 107-84 waxing in the Grind House. Memphis won the first meeting, also in Memphis, by 7 thanks in large part to one of, if not the best showing from Vince Carter this season, and the Warriors not playing up to their usual standard. And if we're being honest a blown travel call that resulted in a petty tech given to Andre Iguodala. I credit Memphis for pretty easily handeling Portland, but Golden State proved they can be a matchup nightmare for Memphis, that plus no Mike Conley equals Golden State swiflty advancing to the West Finals.
2) Houston Rockets
3) Los Angeles Clippers
Prediction: Rockets in 7
Why?: I loved how the Clippers played against the Spurs in the only series that went 7 games this first round. The Rockets dismantled a 50-win Dallas team that felt like it was slowly falling apart with the Rondo Drama, and on defense an old Dirk was being exposed like a creepy man beneath a trench coat. I think this series could still go either way because they are very evenly matched. Both have exceptionally athletic front courts in Dwight and Josh Smith (I know he doesn't start), and Blake and DeAndre. Both have elite superstar guards in CP3 and James Harden. Both have older 3 and D small forwards in Barnes and Ariza. Also both are not very deep. I say Rockets win because as of now Glen Davis and Chris Paul are hurt. Paul put on an Isaiah Thomas-like performance, seemingly stepping it up with his bad hamstring, like how Thomas took over in the finals on a bum ankle. However it will be seen on Monday if, like Isaiah, the injury limits and badly hurts CP3's game, if he plays at all in game 1 Monday. Big Baby's injury hurts the Clips because they have no real quality reserve big men behind him, that Doc is willing to give extended minutes to. If you thought Dirk had trouble with the Houston bigs, Hedo Turkoglu and Spencer Hawes will have an equally hard time, if not an even harder time, containing them. Also the Clippers ended their series last night and have to play tomorrow, the Rockets were done early last week so they are rested, the Clippers are unhealthy and unrested, so I think Houston will win this series, but will be pushed by the Clips.
and Conley-less Grizzlies. Golden State went 2-1 and their two wins saw them smashing the Grizz, except for the fourth quarter of the third game in which the Warrior reserves nearly blew a 93-66 lead. Steph Curry dropped 38, while handing out 10 assists in a 107-84 waxing in the Grind House. Memphis won the first meeting, also in Memphis, by 7 thanks in large part to one of, if not the best showing from Vince Carter this season, and the Warriors not playing up to their usual standard. And if we're being honest a blown travel call that resulted in a petty tech given to Andre Iguodala. I credit Memphis for pretty easily handeling Portland, but Golden State proved they can be a matchup nightmare for Memphis, that plus no Mike Conley equals Golden State swiflty advancing to the West Finals.2) Houston Rockets
3) Los Angeles Clippers
Prediction: Rockets in 7
Why?: I loved how the Clippers played against the Spurs in the only series that went 7 games this first round. The Rockets dismantled a 50-win Dallas team that felt like it was slowly falling apart with the Rondo Drama, and on defense an old Dirk was being exposed like a creepy man beneath a trench coat. I think this series could still go either way because they are very evenly matched. Both have exceptionally athletic front courts in Dwight and Josh Smith (I know he doesn't start), and Blake and DeAndre. Both have elite superstar guards in CP3 and James Harden. Both have older 3 and D small forwards in Barnes and Ariza. Also both are not very deep. I say Rockets win because as of now Glen Davis and Chris Paul are hurt. Paul put on an Isaiah Thomas-like performance, seemingly stepping it up with his bad hamstring, like how Thomas took over in the finals on a bum ankle. However it will be seen on Monday if, like Isaiah, the injury limits and badly hurts CP3's game, if he plays at all in game 1 Monday. Big Baby's injury hurts the Clips because they have no real quality reserve big men behind him, that Doc is willing to give extended minutes to. If you thought Dirk had trouble with the Houston bigs, Hedo Turkoglu and Spencer Hawes will have an equally hard time, if not an even harder time, containing them. Also the Clippers ended their series last night and have to play tomorrow, the Rockets were done early last week so they are rested, the Clippers are unhealthy and unrested, so I think Houston will win this series, but will be pushed by the Clips.
Eastern Conference:
1) Atlanta Hawks
5) Washington Wizards
Prediction: Hawks in 7
Why?: Wizards were ultra-impressive in destroying a Raptors team that looked just plain horrible. The Hawks were actually very disappointing in their 6-game series against a Brooklyn group that I honestly expected to look plain horrible (which they did in game 6). Atlanta looked like they forgot it was the playoffs and they can stop coasting until that game 6, and credit Brooklyn for actually playing very good basketball for 5 games in that series. Atlanta has to pick up their intensity because you know the Wizards will bring it and give the Hawks a fight. They have all the confidence in the world after what they did to Toronto. Washington does have a big advantage in their big combo of Gortat and Nene, but the Hawks have faced front courts bigger than theirs almost all year, and they have a 60-22 record to show for it, so I don't think that will be as big a factor as some might. I believe the Hawks won't dominate, but will do just enough to advance to the East Finals where they will face either Cleveland or Chicago.
2) Cleveland Cavaliers
3) Chicago Bulls
Prediction: Bulls in 7
Why?: I've liked the Bulls to come out of the East for a while, even though they've had a lot of injuries and have been up and down this season. Kevin Love is a huge loss for Cleveland, his size, rebounding, and shooting are huge for what they do, now they'll have to likely give a lot more minutes to Shawn Marion, Mike Miller, or if they go small Iman Shumpert. Also J.R. Smith out for two games is big because he stretches the defense as well, now the Bulls can pack it in a little more and take away driving lanes for Kyrie and LeBron. Cavs can't put LeBron on Rose like he did for the Heat in the 2011 East Finals, because Kyrie is a shaky-at-best defender. You leave him on Rose, and Rose has an easier time getting to the rim, put him on Butler and same for Butler, you put him on Dunleavy and he can shoot right over Kyrie, and Irving might get a forearm to the jaw, which I'm sure David Blatt does not want. Don't get me wrong, Cleveland is still ultra talented but they lose almost any depth they have with the Love injury/Smith suspension, but Chicago (on paper) is just as talented, and much deeper despite Thibodeau's tendency to over play his starters. The key to me is Chicago's intensity, if they come out like they did in games 1-5 vs Milwaukee against Cleveland they might get swept; but if they play like they did in game 6, with high intensity and great ball movement on offense, they may not win a game by 54 but I think they will win this series.
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