(PHOTO CREDIT: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar.)
We all like making playoff predictions. I’m no exception. Here we go!
EASTERN CONFERENCE
#1 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS vs #8 DETROIT PISTONS
The Pistons are in “happy to be here” mode while the Cavs are going to look at this as a chore. Barring injuries, the Cavs are almost a shoo-in for the NBA Finals. And despite being a bad fit on the court at times, they’re talented enough to power through just about everyone in the East.
First victim: Detroit. But watch out for that body language, Cavs.
PREDICTION: CLEVELAND IN 5.
#4 ATLANTA HAWKS vs #5 BOSTON CELTICS
This one’s going to be a slugfest. The Hawks behind Pop disciple Mike Budenholzer and the Celtics behind young wizard Brad Stevens. The defenses are going to fly all around the place and it’s going to remind us of the 90s.
This can go either way but I believe it will come down to experience and guile. CUE GUILE’S MUSIC FOR HOTLANTA.
PREDICTION: ATLANTA IN 7.
#2 TORONTO RAPTORS vs #7 INDIANA PACERS
Team Canada is ready for the next level. Just like how the Pacers were previously ready to take the next step. I’m sure there will be murmurs about how the Raptors can’t get past the first round and whatnot. But Toronto’s good now, guys. Their defense is fixed. DeMar DeRozan‘s game is tailor-made for the playoffs. Indy is excellent defensively but they don’t have enough offense to compete with these dinos.
PREDICTION: TORONTO IN 5.
#3 MIAMI HEAT vs #6 CHARLOTTE HORNETS
It’s a rematch from 2014 when the buzz were running around as a bunch of kittens or something. The cats, er, the Hornets really had a ton of momentum coming in, finishing strong to end with a 48-34 record just like the Heat. This match-up is a toss-up but I’m going to give the edge to the stars that have been here before.
PREDICTION: MIAMI IN 6.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Brandon Dill/AP.)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
#1 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS vs #8 HOUSTON ROCKETS
The storyline here is that these guys met in the Western Conference Finals last season. But this is quite a monumental task for a team that has sleepwalked through the year. The Warriors have only lost NINE TIMES since late October. Stephen Curry is going to put this away early. It might only take one Rihanna song for the Warriors to go up 20.
PREDICTION: GOLDEN STATE IN 4.
#4 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS vs #5 PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
This one could be frightening for the Clippers. Portland could outhustle them all night in the rebounding department. And Damian Lillard is capable of spitting so much fire that he could burn down cities with his shots from beyond. He is so good he can carry the Blazers to a series win.
But the Clippers have a lot of firepower, even with Blake Griffin still working his way back. They just can’t afford to overlook these Blazers, who weren’t even guessed by most people to be in the postseason. I’m going to be daring with this prediction (although not THAT daring) because I feel a lot of wacky things can happen in this series.
PREDICTION: L.A. CLIPPERS IN 7.
#2 SAN ANTONIO SPURS vs #7 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Spurs won the most games in franchise history and only had one blemish at home all season (Warriors). The Grizzlies cycled through the entire population of Memphis just to trot out a professional basketball team every night. Meanwhile, San Antonio’s roster is as deep as a Shakespearean sonnet. Shall I compare the Spurs’ passing to a summer’s day?
All the gritting, grinding, growling, gripping, grounding, and grouching isn’t going to save the Grizz.
PREDICTION: SAN ANTONIO IN 4.
#3 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER vs #6 DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks don’t look like they have enough firepower to counter the Thunder but let’s remember what happened two seasons ago. Rick Carlisle had his Mavs take the best Spurs team in the last decade (well, let’s not include this season’s) to the limit. It’s not inconceivable that Fire Marshall Bill can show all of us something in this series.
But but but Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook…
PREDICTION: OKLAHOMA CITY IN 5.
Follow Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass for all tweets about the NBA and terrible pop music. Also, check out his podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.
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