NBA Playoffs 1st Round Predictions

     I really hate to do a prediction analysis two hours into the playoffs which just started from the time I started this article on Saturday April 16, 2016. It will make some say "Well you seen the first two and a half quarters of the first game so you can not be giving an unbiased judgment." WRONG. Let me finish this quickly so my humble opinion is not even more tainted by a GAME ONE of a seven game series. See, I am pretty good at sarcasm. Let us start in the Eastern Conference though.

     CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (1) vs. DETROIT PISTONS (8)

     I will never for the life of me understand why the NBA puts the first seed versus the eighth seed, instead of the five, just so you can give the teams a punchers chance and a more compelling first round. That guy LeBron James? Yeah, him. He has swept the past three teams he has met in the first round, for the past three years. A good solid Detroit team with a great nucleus in Drummond and Jackson still are not enough in my mind to steal one game from the Cavs. Pull out your brooms people. An easy clean sweep for the Cavaliers.

Cleveland Cavaliers win 4-0

TORONTO RAPTORS (2) vs. INDIANA PACERS (7)

     This is the game that was on while I started this article, and for the record the score was tied at 74 with 7:49 remaining in the fourth. So for some thinking I will be persuaded by the first game since I started watching it while I am typing this, I will make it quick. NEWS FLASH: THE TORONTO RAPTORS STINK IN THE PLAYOFFS. You can not tell me that a guy in Paul George, who, when was healthy, took the dynastic Heat in 2013 to game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals, will lay down to a mediocre second seed that can not make it out of the first round. Pretty easy upset to pick here.

Indiana Pacers win 4-2 (or the Raptors could easily push a game 7 but still eventually lose)

MIAMI HEAT (3) vs. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (6)

     The Miami Heat would be going to the finals if Chris Bosh was healthy (prayers go out to him and his health.) Yes, I would pick them over the dysfunctional Cavaliers at times. Since Bosh being healthy is not the case, the Hornets who have shooters at every position, could possibly pull a upset themselves. I would still take Dwayne Wade's experience over everything else though. 

Either team wins in 6 (I am choosing Miami though)

ATLANTA HAWKS (4) vs. BOSTON CELTICS (5)

     This series here will be a defensive STRUGGLE. Both teams are top five in defensive efficiency, and if in one game, either team scores over 100 points, I would be pretty surprised. With that said though, I think the Boston Celtics come out victorious. In this years Eastern Conference I think this is the strongest team, as is, to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a run. Another "upset" here, if you could even call a fifth seed beating a fourth seed an upset.

Boston Celtics win 4-1

Now, let us endeavor into the Western Conference lookout.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (1) vs. HOUSTON ROCKETS (8)

     Yeah... Not really much to write here. Good to see the Rockets make the playoffs, but, yeah. James Harden is a offensive juggernaut though. He could MAYBE get you one game.

Golden State wins 4-0 (unless Harden goes off for 46 again at home like last year to get one)

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (2) vs. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (7)

     Do I have to write something here as well? The West is super boring this year in the first round. Spurs have been the legitimate second best team in the NBA this year, behind Stephen Curry and his Warriors. That is ridiculous to say because they are a 67 win team this year too. Every team in NBA history that has won 65+ games in the regular season goes on to win the Championship, well besides one team because they met in the conference finals in the same year, and it is more than likely going to happen again this year. If you did not know, the Warriors won 73 this year, if you live under a rock.

San Antonio wins 4-0 (I think I am going to need another broom)

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (3) vs. DALLAS MAVERICKS (6)

     Sweep.

OKC wins 4-0 (short, sweet, to the point) 

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (4) vs. PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS (5)

     Now this series is the most interesting by far in the Western Conference. Damian Lillard, who for some reason keeps getting snubbed in the All-Star games selection, gets to have the brightest lights shone on him in his young career so far. A whole season without Aldridge now gives him free reign to just simply ball-out to get a win. I am not sure which team I am more confident in to win the series, but it will be the best in the first round, by far.

Either team in 6 (I would rather see Lillard against the Warriors in the second round, besides the Clips. If a true upset were to happen, I think this would be the series.)

Gosh I love this time of year! It is finally upon us folks. Let us see how this first round plays out and shakes the rest of the playoff picture down the line.