2017 NBA Playoff Predictions: First Round

Western Conference

1) Golden State Warriors
8) Portland Trail Blazers
Prediction: Warriors in 4
Why?: KD is back, Steph is on a tear and he picks it up in the playoffs (when healthy) and Portland doesn't know if they'll get Nurkic back at all and he's their best bet to exploit the Warriors biggest weakness, the front court.  Though even that isn't a huge weakness.  Perhaps the Blazers catch fire and win a game, but I'm thinking Dubs roll.

2) San Antonio Spurs
7) Memphis Grizzlies
Prediction: Spurs in 5
Why?: Spurs have a talent edge here, that should be obvious.  As well as an experience edge especially in coaching, Pop vs a first year coach.  Memphis will still grit and grind, but San Antonio doesn't try to run it down your throat, they're comfortable in a slow paced game.  Memphis steals one but not much more.

3) Houston Rockets
6) Oklahoma City Thunder
Prediction: Rockets in 6
Why?: Russ vs Harden will be the matchup everyone focuses on.  Both guys have really been carrying their teams, the only difference is Harden has the better offense and supporting cast.  Russ will be unbelievable I'm sure but James will win the series and I doubt it takes 7 games.

4) Los Angeles Clippers
5) Utah Jazz
Prediction: Clippers in 6
Why?: This will be the first time in playoffs for a lot of key contributors for Utah, LA has been here before.  A lot.  The main concern for the clips is health as injuries have derailed them in the past, but I think they ultimately win this series in what should be a hard fought 6 or 7 games.

Eastern Conference

1) Boston Celtics

8) Chicago Bulls

Prediction: Celtics in 6

Why?: Boston won the 1 seed, but weren't exactly a dominant team this year.  They benefitted from Cleveland sucking since the year flipped to 2017.  The Bulls pose some problems with their size and rebounding, but Boston was the better team all year and the pieces fit together much better than Chicago's and they'll finally win a first round series.

2) Cleveland Cavaliers

7) Indiana Pacers

Prediction: Cavs in 5

Why?: Paul George is a great player and always performs in the playoffs.  But he just doesn't have enough around him to challenge Bron Bron.  People can pretend to be concerned about Cleveland all they want, but it happens every year.  LeBron flips that magic switch and rolls to the finals.  The brilliance of George is why I'm giving them one game at all.

3) Toronto Raptors

6) Milwaukee Bucks

Prediction: Raps in 6

Why?: Bucks fans are excited, as they should be.  Gianis has become an absolute monster and the Bucks pulled out of a tailspin in the middle of the season to pull into the 6-seed.  Unfortunately the Raps add to a core that won 50 games back to back years now, and Kyle Lowry is back.  The Raptors have struggled immensely in the playoffs with DeRozan and Lowry, despite making the East finals last year.  It wasn't pretty.  But the inexperienced Bucks, who lack depth and no Jabari Parker, will fall short but they'll definitely put up a fight.

4)Washington Wizards

5) Atlanta Haws

Prediction: Wizards in 5

Why?: Washington has finally seemed to put it together under Scotty Brooks.  I just don't trust them enough to give them the sweep over Atlanta but I don't think they'll have much trouble.  I just don't believe in the Hawks.  They've been alright but nothing special.  They can't match Washington's fire power so I have to take Washington.