Eastern Conference

 

(1) Indiana vs. (8) Atlanta

 

Despite Indiana’s struggles late in the year, this series should not go past five games.  Indiana still has a quality starting lineup and that is what wins in the playoffs.  Atlanta was six games under the .500 mark this season, and despite Jeff Teague who is rising up the ranks of best point guards in the league, Atlanta simply doesn’t have the firepower to hold up.  Now that the lights are on and regardless of their struggles at the end of the year, the Pacers got the top seed in the East and can now put the end of the season behind them and get back on track.  Pacers take this series 4-1.

 

(2) Miami vs. (7) Charlotte

 

The two time defending champions begin their quest for a three-peat with the Charlotte Bobcats.  Charlotte should be given a lot of credit for the season they had.  Two years ago they were the worst team EVER in NBA history and now have turned it around in two seasons with a 43 win campaign.  Al Jefferson should be on one of the All NBA teams this year, and Steve Clifford is a Coach of the Year candidate.  Charlotte has given up 97.1 points per game this season, fourth best among playoff teams.  Miami struggles with size so Al Jefferson will have his way this series.  Kemba Walker is also capable of going off in a game.  Charlotte won’t win many games, but will take their toll on the Heat in every game.  At the end though, too much LeBron, and Erik Spoelstra will figure out how to navigate Al Jefferson.  Heat-4, Bobcats-1.

 

(3) Toronto vs. (6) Brooklyn

 

Whether it was intentional or not, the Brooklyn Nets avoided Chicago in the first round and should be happy they did.  Little is known about Toronto this year because of lack of television exposure and playing in Canada; however, they had a very solid season.  Toronto won the most games ever in franchise history (48), and Dwayne Casey might be Coach of the Year.  DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry make up one of the better backcourts in the league and Terrence Ross has improved from his rookie season.  Brooklyn’s season took off in the New Year when they went an impressive 34-17 in 2014, and that includes them taking their foot off the gas pedal towards the end of the year.  Brooklyn was 22-4 at home in 2014 but do not have home court advantage in this series and likely any series they play.  Toronto was 22-19 for the season on the road, and are capable of winning one in Brooklyn.  The Nets were only 16-25 on the road this year and 12-13 in the New Year, better but still not impressive.  If Toronto wins a game in Brooklyn, the Nets would have to win two games on the road this series.  That would be a tall task for a team with the road record the Nets have; however, Brooklyn is 4-10 in the second half of back-to-back games on the road.  There are no back-to-backs of any kind in the playoffs.  The Nets will need to win two on the road, and this experienced roster will find a way.  They will likely win one of the first two in Toronto, then either game five or seven in Toronto.  I believe it will be game seven.  Brooklyn-4, Toronto-3.

 

(4) Chicago vs. (5) Washington

 

With all due respect to Jeff Bridges, Chicago is the definition of ‘True Grit.’  Despite being without Derrick Rose for much of the season yet again, the Bulls rolled up their sleeves and got the job done.  Joakim Noah has picked up his game and made himself a Most Valuable Player candidate, and Tom Thibodeau would not let this team make excuses.  D.J. Augustin has filled in nicely at point guard after being signed, and Carlos Boozer quietly had a good season.  Washington does have a dynamic backcourt with John Wall who has arrived and Bradley Beal knocking on the door.  Wall and Beal will give Chicago’s backcourt fits, but Tom Thibodeau will be able to figure that out.  Chicago is far more experienced than Washington and, with the first two games in Chicago, that will make the task for Washington that much more daunting.  Veterans like Trevor Ariza and Marcin Gortat who have played in Finals, along with Nene will have to stabilize the inexperience on this team.  If Washington can keep their wits, they can make it a series, if not it will be over fast.  Washington will settle in when they get back to Washington for games three and four, but Chicago will be just too much.  Bulls in six.

 

 

Western Conference

 

(1) San Antonio vs. (8) Dallas

 

The San Antonio Spurs have once again had an exemplary season.  Tim Duncan has showed us why he is a top 10 all-time player, and Tony Parker has again proven he is a top flight point guard.  The depth of the Spurs with young players such as Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, along with Patty Mills and Manu Ginobili coming off the bench make them a tough matchup for any team, and Gregg Popovich is cementing his legacy as the great coach he is.  For the Mavericks, it starts – of course – with Dirk Nowitzki.  Dirk has again had a terrific season and has proven why he is an all-time great as well.  Monta Ellis can score and Shawn Marion continues to do a little of everything on a court.  The Western Conference was loaded this year, so even as an eight seed Dallas will compete.  But the Spurs are playing too well and have won nine straight against Dallas.  San Antonio-4, Dallas-2.

 

(2) Oklahoma City vs. (7) Memphis

 

The Thunder and the Grizzlies will meet in the playoffs for the third time in four seasons, and this is the rubber match.  Memphis may be a seventh seed but have gone a very impressive 40-17 since starting 10-15.  Injuries to Marc Gasol and Mike Conley Jr. have kept this team that played in the Western Conference Finals last year from being at the top of the West this year.  For the Thunder, Kevin Durant is likely to be MVP, and Russell Westbrook appears to be past the issues he has had with his knee.  Reggie Jackson has improved in his time filling in for Westbrook, and this should be the best series in the first round.  Like Brooklyn, as the lower seed Memphis would have to win two in Oklahoma City if they lose a home game.  The Thunder have a good home court, so do the Grizzlies.  If the Thunder don’t win this series ,there will be a lot of questions about the character of this team and whether Kevin Durant has that ‘killer instinct.’  I believe Memphis wins this series, but I don’t think the questions about the Thunder and Durant are fair.  Durant wants to win and so do the rest of these guys.  Sometimes, the breaks just aren’t there for a team.  Mike Conley, Jr. will be the difference in this series as he steps into superstardom when he outplays Russell Westbrook.  Grizzlies in six.

 

(3) Los Angeles vs. (6) Golden State

 

These teams are much closer than the way this series will go in my opinion.  Stephen Curry is one of, if not the most dangerous offensive player in the League, and Klay Thompson is a lethal shooter.  Andre  Iguodala is a spectacular finisher in the open floor and can defend, and David Lee provides an above average post presence.  The Warriors are also good off the bench with Harrison Barnes and Jermaine O’Neal, still a premiere interior defender.  This team plays hard for Mark Jackson.  The Clippers, however, are out to prove they are legitimate contenders and are going to prove it in the first round.  Chris Paul has only been as far as the second round of the playoffs twice, and Blake Griffin needs to prove he is a superstar.  Los Angeles traded for Doc Rivers to win in the playoffs, and it needs to start now for this team.  Expect the Clippers to be focused and sharp and play at a level Golden State isn’t expecting.  Curry is good enough for a game, but that should be all for the Warriors.  I don’t know how far the Clippers will go, but the first step is making quick work of Golden State.  If they don’t win this series, there needs to be a lot of soul searching done.  Clippers-4, Warriors-1.

 

(4) Houston vs. (5) Portland

 

This is probably the most interesting series of the first round.  Houston has a much underrated starting lineup.  James Harden, Chandler Parsons, and Dwight Howard are a premier ‘big three,’ and Patrick Beverly and Terrence Jones complement them well.  Portland, on the other hand, is led by Damion Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge at point guard and power forward where, despite how well they have played, Beverly and Jones are their counterparts and subsequent weakest links in Houston’s starting lineup.  Wesley Matthews is a good defender on Portland, but James Harden is going to get his points regardless.  This series could be a seven game series where five of the games are by 15 or more points.  Houston has a lot to prove, especially Dwight Howard as he looks to put last season with the Lakers behind him.  Expect a long series with only a few games being close.  In the end, it will be too much James Harden who simply can’t be stopped on the perimeter.  Houston in seven.