Archived Thread

NFT: NBA Playoffs first round predictions

SanFranNowNCGiantsFan : 4/16/2015 6:52 am

The playoffs start Saturday. And I can't freaking wait.

East:
Hawks over Nets in 5.
Cavs over Celts in 5. I really like this Celts team & especially Brad Stevens as coach. I'd love if they could steal 2 from Cleveland, but it might be too much to ask.
Bulls over Bucks in 6. I'm sure Chicago was happy to avoid Washington.
Wizards over Raptors in 7. This should be the best first round match-up in the East.

West:
Warriors over Pelicans in 5. Watching Curry & The Brow is a series should be fun, but there's a reason why the Warriors won 67 games.
Rockets over Mavs in 6. I imagine Carlisle will have Rondo on Harden a lot, which is an intriguing matchup. A lot of hate between these two teams.
Spurs over Clippers in 7. This is a first round match-up? Shows you how stacked the WC is. Both teams have been playing lights out recently. The two teams split the regular season series 2-2. I'm going with the champs.
Grizzlies over Blazers in 6. Portland has too many injuries.

Osi has to be stoked

dep026 : 4/16/2015 7:01 am : link

Ideal matchup for the Rockets. I expect them to sweep the Mavs. They don't have a soul who can guard harden.

San Fran

blapre74 : 4/16/2015 7:42 am : link

don't be surprised: this Celtics team has a lot of talent, not a superstar, but they play well together, and their bench is deeper than the Cavs. Having said that, the Lebron's will prevail, but in 6. As you said, Stevens is the man! They might be one good draft and one good FA away from the elite. btw, Marcus Smart is going to be a superstar; what a defender he is!

No way the Rockets sweep

est1986 : 4/16/2015 9:33 am : link

Harden had a MVP season but he has a history of being half the player he is during the postseason, we shall see

Did the Spurs fall from 2nd to 6th

Andy in Halifax : 4/16/2015 10:11 am : link

by that loss last night? Man, the west is just insane.

nygiants16 : 4/16/2015 10:15 am : link

Hawks in 6
Cavs in 4
Bulls in 5
Raptors in 7

Warriors in 4
Rockets in 7
Spurs in 5
Memphis in 7

This is a big playoff for a few superstars

dep026 : 4/16/2015 10:25 am : link

1. Harden. He has had some playoff struggles, but has been outstanding this year. They are probably the worst team in the west right now. A matchup against LAC or SA could have been bad, but Dallas should be a team they can beat. A series loss here raises a ton of questions.

2. CP3. No more excuses. He has a great shooter, defender/rebounder and a Robin to go with him. His 1st round matchup is brutal, but if you are considered the best PG in the league, you have to win these series once in awhile.

3. Rose. He has shown glimpses of being the Rose of old since he has returned (even though last night he was awful and only played 10 minutes). If he just settles for long jumpers and 3s, it will be disappointing. A 2nd round matchup against Lebron is looming.

It amazes me that Melo gets killed

nygiants16 : 4/16/2015 10:32 am : link

for his playoff performances and CP3 always gets a pass...for someone who is the best PG in the NBA he sure has a mediocre post season record...

I think its due to the following

Pep22 : 4/16/2015 11:08 am : link

CP is a guy who defends well (Melo doesn't bother), makes others better (Melo not inclined to create for others), has an elite +-, has played more years in the toughewr conference.

...

26.2 : 4/16/2015 11:27 am : link

wizards will not beat the raptors. that's all I know.

pressure is on the hawks to perform

hitdog42 : 4/16/2015 11:29 am : link

1 seed... no star with a ton of playoff experience (horford was not the main cog in prior trips)---
its setting up nicely for the biggest first round upset since Bdiddy and the warriors over the mavs!

huge playoffs for Harden

Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy : 4/16/2015 5:33 pm : link

He's had a great 2015. He was the leader of Team USA this year when they won Gold. And he took his game to another level in the regular season by winning MVP.

He's answered a lot of questions this year.

But the 1 question he has left to answer is the biggest one. Can he perform in the playoffs? So far he has struggled, but it's a different Harden this year and I hope that means different results in the playoffs.

Rondo's going to make Harden work for it though. The refs allow Rondo to play very physical and he did a decent job on Harden this year because of it. But Harden should still be able to roast Rondo. He needs to.

I fucking hate the Mavs. Outside of the Eagles/Cowboys/RedSox, they might be #1 on my hate-list. I respect Dirk but despise everything else about that franchise. The Rockets should be favored but I think it's still a toss-up series because of the Mavs' experience and coaching advantage.

LAC vs. Spurs should be a fun one. The Warriors really lucked out getting these 2 teams to face off in round 1. Arguably the 2nd and 3rd best teams in the league. Should be a war, gotta give the Spurs the edge due to depth.

I should be

Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy : 4/16/2015 5:34 pm : link

"playing MVP caliber" not "winning MVP" when it comes to Harden.