NBA PLAYOFFS: FIRST ROUND

(        (1) GOLDEN STATE (73-9)

(8) HOUSTON (41-41)

SEASON SERIES: GSW 3-0

The Golden State Warriors come in riding on an emotional high. After taking down a 20 year old record we thought may never be broken, eclipsing the 95-96 Bulls single season win mark of 72; the 73 win Warriors have more business to attend to. They enter the playoffs once again with a target on their back and finishing the season with 73 wins and no hardware to show for it, leaves an asterisk in the history books. Steph Curry had another MVP campaign while surpassing 400 – 3PT shots made in a single season. No other player in NBA history has two 300 or more made 3PT FGs in a season. Except Steph Curry. The Houston Rockets have been a shell of themselves all season. Firing head coach Kevin McHale early in the season started it alongside Dwight Howard’s constant injuries and their I say the lack of defense on display nightly, Houston edged out Utah for the final seed in the West. A 3 game win streak led by James Harden who had to drop at least 30ppg in the final stretch to push Houston in. A date with the defending champs awaits. Utah would have been a bit of better opponent then Houston would have been but sure this series will be fun. Both teams get up and down the court and no team scores like GSW (114.9ppg) which is 1^st in the NBA. Houston who already does not defend at all draws liability there. The Warriors with their small ball will eventually hurt Howard and company down low. While James Harden cannot do it by himself. Patrick Beverly defends well but can anyone defend Steph Curry? That was a serious question. Golden State won the season series (3-0) by an average of (15.6) points per contest. Rematch of last season’s WCF will end the same way, just Houston won’t get a win in this time around.

CURRY – 30.1 PPG / 6.7 APG / 45% 3PT      HARDEN – 29.0 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 7.5 APG

THOMPSON – 22.1 PPG / 42% 3PT              HOWARD – 13.7 PPG / 11.8 RPG

GREEN – 14.0 PPG / 9.5 RPG / 7.4 APG

GOLDEN STATE 4-0

(        (2) SAN ANTONIO (67-15)

(7) MEMPHIS (42-40)

SEASON SERIES: SAS 4-0

The San Antonio Spurs have Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli still so you can never count out these guys in the West and a chance for the franchises 6^th title. After compiling a home record of (40-1) which tied them for the best home record for a season with the 85-86 Celtics, the Spurs still have unfinished business. The Spurs won 67 games which was another franchise high as well. The defense they have displayed on teams this year have been what they preach for over a decade now. San Antonio held opponents to just (92.9ppg) which is tops on the league. Once again led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard who looks to be taking home another DPOY this season. The Memphis Grizzlies somehow ended up in the postseason. Yet again Dave Joerger has done a tremendous job with the Grizz under all the circumstances they had to indulge this season. Memphis had 28 different players touch the court for them this season; a NBA record. Injuries have plagued them all season. Losing Marc Gasol for the season in February, than Mike Conley in March. Over 250 missed games for Memphis players this year. Two of their top 3 players were done for the season. The unlikely heroes of Lance Stephenson, Matt Barnes and others joined by Zebo – Zach Randolph made Memphis relevant to say the least. The trio I mentioned earlier; Duncan (19^th), Parker (15^th), and Ginobli (14^th) have been on a long and historic journey to another postseason. LaMarcus Aldridge will definitely help anchor the Spurs deep into the playoffs. Their experience and veteran leadership will be the difference in this matchup. If the Spurs just play Spurs basketball, the rest will fall in place. Memphis has nothing to lose, go YOLO.

LEONARD – 21.2 PPG / 6.8 RPG                     RANDOPLH – 15.2 PPG / 7.8 RPG           ALDRIDGE – 18.0 PPG / 8.5 RPG

SAN ANTONIO 4-0

(        (3) OKLAHOMA CITY (55-27)

(6)  DALLAS (42-40)

SEASON SERIES: OKC 4-0

OKC is back in their usual circumstances come postseason time. One of the top 4 teams in the West vying to get back to the Finals. At least before the Kevin Durant sweepstakes takes over this summer. Until then, KD and counterpart Russell Westbrook will try to lead this Thunder team as far as they can under new leadership at head coach in Billy Donovan. Donovan has the luxury of having two of the top 10 players in the league today on his team. Durant who shot (50%) from the field all season and Westbrook who tied Magic Johnson season record with 18 triple-doubles in a season will be the focal point for the Thunder but who else will compliment them? Enes Kanter is my top option. Kanter could be in the running for 6^th man (12.7 PPG / 8.1 RPG) this season. He has played all 82 games and has shot (57%) from the field. Between Kanter, Serge Ibaka, and Steven Adams in the paint; OKC ranks 1^st in rebounding with (48.6) per game. Dallas has played well dealing with their own injury troubles. Chandler Parsons has barely played a full season, Deron Williams has been banged up all season, while Dirk Nowitzki (18^th) season has battled through with the Mavs trying to push them forward with minimum help. ZaZa Pachulia has been a bright spot and the JJ Barea part II seemed to be in store as well. Barea (10.9 PPG/ 4.1 APG) has played well of late with the slur of injuries facing the Mavs to have his own groin problem heading into the playoffs. OKC swept the Mavs this year with 2 games being blowouts while the other 2 were closer games. The Thunder ust find ways to close out games better than they have. The Mavericks will have to try and keep up with the more agile and faster pace OKC team if they want a chance. OKC is 2^nd in scoring and I do not see Wesley Matthews turning into a 25 point a night scorer by Saturday.

DURANT – 28.2 PPG / 8.2 RPG                                    NOWITZKI – 18.3 PPG / 6.5 RPG

WESTBROOK – 23.5 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 10.4 APG         WILLIAMS – 14.1 PPG / 5.8 APG

OKC 4-0

(        (4) LA CLIPPERS (53-29)

(5) PORTLAND (44-38)

SEASON SERIES: LAC 3-1

The Los Angeles Clippers have been to the playoffs 4 consecutive seasons to find themselves sitting at home even before the conference finals. Last year up 3-1 on Houston and there best chances on making it to the WCF, failed to close out against the Rockets in epic fashion. The list of names on the jerseys for the Clippers remain the same, just will the outcome change? Stars on stars in Hollywood but Doc Rivers and his bunch can never get over the hump since he has been in LA. That also goes for CP3 looking for his conference final appearance. The Clippers have 5-6 players averaging in double-figure in scoring while ranking 7^th in scoring; the downside they allow as many points as they score. Not good for a Portland team who always has something to prove. Especially with Damien Lillard handling the rock for the Blazers. Lillard shows up in clutch time for Portland and this will be no exemption. After losing LaMarcus Aldridge (SAS), Nicholas Batum (CHA), and Wes Matthews (DAL); Portland still reeled off 44 wins and a 5 seed in the west. Head coach Terry Stotts impressively coached this Blazers team up without many of the stars that helped them get here earning a 2 year contract extension in the process. Second year player CJ McCollum could definitely win Most Improved Player this season. McCollum has shot (44% FG / 41% 3PT) this season. This dynamic young backcourt will keep Portland battling for seasons to come. The Clippers dominated this series during the regular season and will need to this postseason. Portland ranks 5^th in rebounding; however with a DeAndre Jordan in the middle and a healthy Blake Griffin back in the fold, this will be a tough task for a young Blazers squad. Too much talent on the Clippers roster to be out this early.

PAUL – 19.5 PPG / 10.0 APG                                     LILLARD – 25.1 PPG / 6.8 APG

GRIFFIN – 21.4 PPG / 8.4 RPG / 4.9 APG                 MCCOLLUM – 20.8 PPG

JORDAN – 12.7 PPG / 13.8 RPG / 70% FG

LA CLIPPERS 4-1

(        (1) CLEVELAND (57-25)

(8) DETROIT (44-38)

SEASON SERIES DETROIT 3-1

In the Kings court all that is missing is a banner that says 2016 NBA Champs, and LeBron James and company look to add that to Quicken Loans Arena. A first round date with a Detroit team that has got the best of the Cavs this season is first. Cleveland has had their ups and downs all year including the firing of David Blatt, Kevin Love trade rumors, LBJ talks of missing Wade, LBJ talks of playing with friends, and oh yeah the Kyrie Irving-PARTYNEXTDOOR thing as well. Social network has had their fun with Cleveland all season but the Cavs should have fun in the East trying to get to yet another Finals appearance. Cleveland ranks in the top 10 in the league in team PPG / RPG and 4^th in points allowed at (98.3) per. That defense will be much needed for a team with firepower on it already. That offensive explosion meshing is a different topic. James, Love, and Irving will be key the catalsyst leading the Cavs, just there secondary crew will need to play well. Detroit are in the playoffs after a 7 year absence. Stan Van Gundy has the keys for the Pistons as they have improved 12 more wins than the previous season. Andre Drummond the league leader in rebound has been a spark on both the offensive and defensive end for the Pistons. Detroit ranks 2^nd in rebounding in the NBA. SVG traded for Tobais Harris which didn’t look good at first but I believe has panned out well. Harris alongside Marcus Morris, and KCP have been key players in their playoff debut. Reggie Jackson has led Detroit in scoring however is status is up in the air with a lingering abdominal strain that has hindered him. Besides that, the Pistons lack depth off the bench and lack size in the paint other than Drummond. Cleveland does not have much inside game either. Addition of Channing Frye spreads the floor as Kevin Love of course is not a traditional post player. Tyrone Lue adding Tristian Thompson in the starting 5 was a great move. Thompson can play defense better than any of their post players and cleans up the dirty mess the rest of the Cavs won’t do. He is shooting 58% from the field and for a man to be getting paid the way Thompson does, the bench does him no good. I love Tobais Harris game but if Reggie Jackson cannot go for Motown, a sweep may be in store.

JAMES – 25.3 PPG / 7.4 RPG / 6.8 APG           JACKSON – 18.8 PPG / 6.2 APG

IRVING – 19.6 PPG / 4.7 AG                            DRUMMOND – 16.2 PPG / 14.8 RPG

LOVE – 16.0 PPG / 9.9 RPG                             HARRIS – 16.2 PPG / 6.2 RPG

CLEVELAND 4-0

(        (2) TORONTO (56-26)

(7) INDIANA (45-37)

SEASON SERIES: TORONTO 3-1

The Toronto Raptors won a franchise record 56 wins and was 1 game shy of the Cavs for the top seed in the East. All thanks in a big part due to their backcourt that has combined for almost 50 points per contest this year. DeRozan and Lowry have complimented each other well over the years, and will look to rewrite some history for the folks in Canada. Toronto loves playing in the North, their 32-9 record at home showed that all season. The Raptors also have depth and a lot of it. Some veteran guys mixed with a nice young core to go with their starting 5 will make the Raptors a tough outing for any team, even Cleveland. Indiana is back in the playoffs. A lot of that is due to the resurgence of Paul George. PG-13 has come to play this season after coming off that gruesome injury he suffered a year ago. This outstanding comeback has showed his resilience and strength to help carry the Pacers back to the playoffs. Alongside free agent acquisition Monta Ellis, the Pacers have a legit squad that could use a couple more pieces around PG-13 and they could be back competing for the east crown once again. The thing I like about this matchup is their bench. Both teams go to their bench often and early. Toronto has 4 players over 6’10 and 3 of them come off the bench. Scola, Biyambo, and Patterson is not a law firm but the anchors of that interior front. Together they combine for about 20 points and 20 boards a night. That interior presence will be a force to reckon with starter Jonas Valanciunas. Indiana can counter that. They have about 3 C/PF between Mahimi, Jordan Hill, and Lavoy Allen. Rookie Myles Turner was inserted into the starting lineup and can average a double-double if needed. CJ Miles and Rodney Stuckey round out a deep Indiana bench with Toronto matching Corey Joseph and rookie Norman Powell in their backcourt and whoever has the better bench may be the difference. Toronto must continue their excellent play on defense. DeMarre Carroll is back in the lineup off injury but a collective effort will try and tame Paul George. The Pacers need to at least try and steal one game in Toronto. If not, see ya next season.

DEROZAN – 23.5 PPG                                   GEORGE – 23.1 PPG / 7.0 RPG / 4.0 APG

LOWRY – 21.2 PPG / 6.4 APG                       ELLIS – 13.8 PPG

VALANCIUNAS – 12.8 PPG / 9.1 RPG         MAHIMI – 8.9 PPG / 7.1 RPG

TORONTO 4-2

(         (3) MIAMI (48-34)

(         (5) CHARLOTTE (48-34)

SEASON SERIES: MIAMI 3-1

A year removed after no postseason play the Heat seemed primed to make a run this season. A full year with Goran Dragic under his belt, the upcoming big man in Hassan Whiteside and #3 is still in a Heat uniform, things may turn back around in South Beach. No Chris Bosh thus far due to health complications which we all hope Bosh recovers from quickly you would thought would derail this team. The Heat have found ways in other pieces and obtained a few more to make a season out of this. Whiteside with his presence down low was able to help with Bosh leaving and a decent Amare Stoudamire as well. Moving Deng from the 3 to power forward has helped them stretch the floor and Deng has seen his numbers rise. A mostly healthy Dwayne Wade. Goran Dragic fully equipped in the Heat system was a plus. They drafted well with Justice Winslow and Josh Richardson. Not to mention Joe Johnson plays for Miami. Yes the Heat are a formable team coming out the East this playoffs. Charlotte is back in the playoffs yet again. Steve Clifford has turned this ball club from pretender to contender. Some moves in the trade deadline and players coming off injury has helped Charlotte be postseason bound. The play of Kemba Walker has been phenomenal all season. The second coming of Jeremy Lin has been something to watch as well. Marvin Williams has found him a home in Charlotte averaging double figures in scoring. Injuries have hurt the Hornets too. Al Jefferson has missed most the season but back now, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has battled injury all year and now Nicholas Batum their leading assist man has been battling a sore ankle. The Hornets guard play has carried them for the most part. Their wings can all shoot and they have shot the 3 better than they have in the past. Miami has that experience and veteran leadership that should help them prevail to the next round. The Hornets won’t go down lightly. They have a lot of sting in them, no pun intended and if you keep nipping away at each game, Charlotte may make this an interesting series. “May”

WADE – 19.0 PPG                                                       WALKER – 20.9 PPG / 5.2 APG

WHITESIDE – 14.2 PPG / 11.8 RPG / 3.7 BPG         BATUM – 14.9 PPG / 5.8 APG

DRAGIC – 14.1 PPG                                                   LIN – 11.7 PPG

JOHNSON – 13.4 PPG                                              JEFFERSON – 12.4 PPG / 6.4 RPG

DENG – 12.3 PPG / 6.0 RPG

MIAMI 4-2

(         (4) ATLANTA (48-34)

(         (5) BOSTON (48-34)

SEASON SERIES: ATLANTA 3-1

The Atlanta Hawks come off one of the best seasons in franchise history. They now have reached the postseason for the 9^th straight season. They host the Boston Celtics. A flourish of 48-34 records was jam packed in the middle of the eastern conference. Atlanta once again looking like a poor man’s San Antonio of the east and not taking shots at the Hawks, because once again another playoff appearance for the birds. The Hawks are 2^nd in assist in the league averaging around (25.6). Of course defensively they are in the top 10 as well. The combination of Millsap/Horford as caused havoc on most opponents as they have been a tandem to tassel with. The decline of Kyle Korver has been a mystery as it looks like his 3’s have faded over to San Francisco from a year ago. As well as the development of Dennis Schroder. Schroder still has game, just indecisiveness at times at being turnover prone will make or break you. Brad Stevens has Boston back in the mix again. The young head coach has found a nice core to coach around and they have been a delight to watch. Starting with the point guard Isaiah Thomas. Thomas has led this team in every way imaginable this season which has help propel the C’s into the playoffs yet again. Thomas has help on the wings with Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, and Evan Turner. Boston is not afraid to battle in the trenches either. Ranking 6^th in boards and 5^th in scoring in the NBA. They were one of 9 teams to beat Golden State this season too. Boston has depth but the thing about this rebounding. I say that because the Hawks don’t defensive rebound well at all. This could be key for both teams when the series start. Johnson, Olynyk, and Sullinger bring a different approach to that interior that will have the Hawks in for a battle down low. Tim Hardaway Jr and Kris Humphries may not be household names but their help alongside the defensive play of Bazemore and Sefolosha will help the Hawks in the long run. A classic rivalry revitalized in 2016 between Atlanta and Boston. Oh I can’t wait for Teague vs Thomas.

MILLSAP – 17.1 PPG / 9.0 RPG                               THOMAS – 22.2 PPG / 6.2 APG

HORFORD – 15.7 PPG / 7.3 RPG                            BRADLEY – 15.2 PPG

TEAGUE – 18.7 PPG / 5.9 APG                               CROWDER – 14.2 PPG / 5.1 RPG

ATLANTA 4-2