Cavs v Warriors (Around the NBA Finals)

[Worst_to_First]

While we are all waiting for the NBA Draft Lottery, just thought it would be good to put all our discussions, predictions and comments on this year’s playoffs in one thread.





#1 Atlanta Hawks (60-22) vs. #8 Brooklyn Nets (38-44)


#4 Toronto Raptors (49-33) vs. #5 Washington Wizards (46-36)


#3 Chicago Bulls (50-32) vs. #6 Milwaukee Bucks (41-41)


#2 Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29) vs. #7 Boston Celtics (40-42)




#1 Golden State Warriors (67-15) vs. #8 New Orleans Pelicans (45-37)


#4 Portland Trailblazers (51-31) vs. #5 Memphis Grizzlies (55-27)


#3 Los Angeles Clippers (56-26) vs. #6 San Antonio Spurs (55-27)


#2 Houston Rockets (56-26) vs. #7 Dallas Mavericks (50-32)

[isiah_thomas]

1) Well one of Gasol or Aldridge will lose in rd 1. Loser might think the West is to tough and come East pref Gasol cause he's a perfect fit

2) What a brutal draw for the Clips

[Mr_Perfect]

Hawks
Raptors
Bucks
Cavaliers

Warriors
Grizzlies
Spurs
Mavericks

[Marty McFly]

I'd like to see the pelicans come out from the west and the bucks or the wiz out of the east. they're about the only teams in the east that I don't hate.

[kingquan316]

West is so loaded compared to the crap in the East. Imagine if KD didn't get hurt.

U ain't winning a damn title Gasol staying Memphis, u too Aldridge. Come over to NY, instead of worrying about facing elite teams every night, u just have to worry about douche bags in the media.

[Worst_to_First]

My prediction for the first round battles:



Hawks 4, Nets 1. Nothing much to comment in this series except that Brooklyn has too many veteran and clutch players just to be swept in this series. Interesting to see how Brook Lopez performs against a relatively small frontcourt.

Key Matchup: Jeff Teague vs Deron Williams
X-Factor: Brook Lopez

Raptors 4, Wizards 2. Washington will miss the presence of Trevor Ariza in this series as they do not have anyone in the roster this is capable of shutting down tall slashing wings. Demar DeRozan should feast in this series. Paul Pierce is better off defending post-up players in this stage of his career and Wizards already have a player in Bradley Beal who can hit the clutch shots.

Key Matchup: Kyle Lowry vs John Wall
X-Factor: Demar DeRozan

Bulls 4, Bucks 1. Chicago is prone to losing against teams with strong and tough frontcourts like Washington. Unfortunately, Milwaukee is not one of those teams. Jason Kidd is a great coach but Tim Thibodeau is not of his good matchups as evidenced by how the New York Knicks got swept by the Chicago Bulls in our 54-win season (Mike Woodson who?). Bulls should have no problem in shutting down the Bucks’ wing players.

Key Matchup: Jimmy Butler vs Khris Middleton
X-Factor: Coaching (Tom Thibodeau vs Jason Kidd)

Cavaliers 4, Celtics 1. I may have predicted a 5-game series in favor of Cleveland but this will be a tough one for them regardless. Boston has plenty of players whom I call ‘disruptive’ (Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, Evan Turner, Jae Crowder) in a sense that they can create havoc in their opponent’s offensive and defensive sets. Will not be a comfortable series for the Cavaliers but no reason that they should not end up on top.

Key Matchup: Kyrie Irving vs Avery Bradley / LeBron James vs Evan Turner
X-Factor: Kevin Love



Warriors 4, Pelicans 1. New Orleans has two types of players that can make this an uncomfortable series for Golden State: Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans. Jrue Holiday should also be able to guard Steph Curry decently. However, the Warriors are too deep and too good of a team to have this series extend past 5 games.

Key Matchup: Steph Curry & Klay Thompson vs Tyreke Evans & Eric Gordon
X-Factor: Anthony Davis

Grizzlies 4, Trailblazers 2. I wish that Portland could have been able to enter the playoffs at full strength. With all their injuries to key players as well as having to play a tough physical team like Memphis, I do not like their chances.

Key Matchup: Zach Randolph vs LaMarcus Aldridge
X-Factor: Damian Lillard

Spurs 4, Clippers 2. Unfair draw for the Clippers. This should be a strong case for just seeding the playoff teams by record instead of giving perks to a division champion. I have a sense that we can expect a result similar to their 2012 playoff matchup but I have too much respect for the Clippers team to call this a sweep.

Key Matchup: Tony Parker vs Chris Paul
X-Factor: Kawhi Leonard

Mavericks 4, Rockets 3. Very tough call for me to make. Especially with all of their injuries to key players, I do not view Houston as the typical #2 seed. If we see the Playoff! Rondo version that he was with the Celtics, the Rockets will have a huge problem with Patrick Beverly out. James Harden should feast in this series but I do not expect him to get the calls in the playoffs that he usually does. Rick Carlisle vs Kevin McHale coaching matchup will also be a key in this one. I can see the Mavericks winning a Game 7 on the road.

Key Matchup: Monta Ellis vs James Harden / Tyson Chandler vs Dwight Howard
X-Factor: Rajon Rondo & Dirk Nowitzki

[DaGawd]

Damn I can give 2 **** about the Eastern Conference playoffs

[NYKnicksTAPE]

All of the eastern conference series are trash. Most of these teams aren't legit playoff teams...they made it by default. With all that said, let's go Rockets!

[Knicksfan1992]

Only Eastern Conference series that intrigues me is Bucks vs. Bulls. It could be Giannis's coming out party and for some reason I think the Bulls are fraudulent. I think winner of Clips vs. Spurs goes to the Finals. Pulling for a little CP3 magic in that one.

[Hijinks]

I'd like to see the pelicans come out from the west and the bucks or the wiz out of the east. they're about the only teams in the east that I don't hate.

You sure about that?

[j4remi]

Hawks, Cavs, Bucks, Wiz

Warriors, Rockets, Grizzlies, Spurs

My toughest choices:
Bucks over Bulls...honestly, I'm pretty biased against the Bulls so that's a big factor. But I also like the Bucks size and athleticism to match up with the Bulls.

Grizz over Blazers...Lillard is such a clutch player and already has playoff performances that are just epic...but I think Tony Allen and Mike Conley are good enough to contain him which will make the difference.

[Knick Spaniard]

Pretty good that Blazers-Grizzlies playoffs.

If Grizzlies lose, let's stalk Marc.

If Blazers lose, let's stalk Aldridge.

[King of Canada]

SO, will this be another year where a 1 seed falls in the first round to an underdog?

[mpharris36]

the east playoffs stink monkey balls, there isn't one compelling 1st round matchup.

the west on the other hand....my body is ready

[delvec19]

SO, will this be another year where a 1 seed falls in the first round to an underdog?

Nets won't win a game and GS will take care of the Pelicans in 5.

[delvec19]

And at least Pierce or the Craptors will be out in the first round.

[Marty McFly]

I'd like to see the pelicans come out from the west and the bucks or the wiz out of the east. they're about the only teams in the east that I don't hate.

You sure about that?

I stand corrected. The pels and the bucks it is.

[beasonu]

Warriors $150 to win $400

Lock it in

I picked:
Kings to win Stanley Cup
Patriots to win SB
Spieth to win Masters

Let the trend continue. Dubs have the experience, this is the year they execute

[JXL]

For the Eastern Conference

Hawks vs. Nets: Hawks in 5 - Nets are too garbage on D to contain Teague, and Horford will destroy Lopez all day. The X-Factor in this series is Paul Millsap. Will his shoulder hold up to help ATL throughout the playoffs?

Cavs vs. Celtics: Cavs in 4 - Short answer: Lebron. Long answer: Celtics are still young and in unfamiliar territory meeting a stacked Cavs team. It won't end well.

Bulls vs. Bucks: Bulls in 6 - Bucks can give the Bulls a series because they're crafty on D. The health of Rose and Noah are critical for a run, but they have the bodies to hold on.

Raptors vs. Wizards: Raptors in 7 - This is the most even matchup I see. Pierce can be the difference maker (like he always is; I do respect him, but I don't have to like him). Raptors made their appearance, but it will take an all-star effort from DeRozan and Lowry to get them to the next round.


For the Western Conference

Warriors vs. Pelicans: Warriors in 6 - I was going to say in 5 but I think the Brow will make this an interesting series. He's the key for this series to be as exciting as I hope it will be. Curry and Thompson will light up the Pels backcourt.

Rockets vs. Mavericks: Rockets in 6 - If Harden wants to be MVP, he'll be a flamethrower in this series. I expect D12 to be at least 80% of what he is, which is good enough, and if Dirk goes to being 2011 Playoff Mode Dirk, its game over for the Rockets. Otherwise, this will be a high scoring series.

Clippers vs. Spurs: Spurs in 6 - Too much experience and playoff mode Kawhi Leonard makes an appearance. CP3 can do almost anything on the court, but he won't stop the Spurs juggernaut, no matter what seed they have.

Grizzlies vs. Blazers: Grizzlies in 5 - Injuries are hurting the Blazers, and with a rested Conley, Blazers have little to no chance of advancing unless Wes Matthews is miraculously healed.


BTW: I have Spurs vs. Cavs in the Finals.

[Mr Rabbit]

The East is such basura. The West is just unfair. San Antonio as a 6 seed.