Playoffs

[luckiestman]

I just saw the bracket for the East and it changed a lot since the yesterday. The Nets/Bulls avoided a bullet by not having to play each other in the first round and I think the bracket came out as favorable as possible for the Bulls. Here are the matchups:
 
Ind  v Atl
 
Chi v Was
 
Tor v Bkn
 
Mia v Cha
 
I think Chicago gets by the Wizards and then we will find out just exactly what is going on with the Pacers. Meanwhile, Miami might get a round 2 war against the Nets. Miami having to potentially go through the Nets is going to make the 3 peat well deserved if they get it. Going through Bkn, Ind/Chi, West will be an incredible run if the Heat can do it. Here's to hoping they fail. 
 
The West playoffs are going to be something special this year. If favorites all make it through the first round, I think the 2nd round could be the best Conference final four ...ever?

 

[Kliq]

I don't think its a forgone conclusion that Brooklyn is going to get by Toronto in the first round. Toronto has played REALLY well during the second half fo the season, and I think their crowd will surprise a lot of people, for a fanbase that is starved for success.

 

[riboflav]

My favorite time of the year. Four (o.k. really just three) chances to knock off the Heat. Let's do this!

 

[luckiestman]

I don't think its a forgone conclusion that Brooklyn is going to get by Toronto in the first round. Toronto has played REALLY well during the second half fo the season, and I think their crowd will surprise a lot of people, for a fanbase that is starved for success.

 
 
I don't watch a lot of non celtics games, so maybe Toronto is impressive but the few times I saw them I didnt think too much. 

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Ok now that we have discussed the Leastern Conference, lets get to the meat of the NBA playoffs.  
 
The NBA Western conference features seven of the eight playoff teams with 50 wins or more.  Its not a real argument but just based on wins alone, only two eastern conference teams - the Pacers and the Heat - would make the playoffs if they were in the WC.  And this doesn't factor in the fact that Phoenix didn't make the playoffs despite winning 48 games this season - that would have put them somewhere in the third to fifth seed in the East.  
 
I know that the Heat and Pacers are good and that the Nets might  be able to fight their way into the finals.  And maybe the Bulls have some sort of punchers chance.  However the power is in the west and although only one team can make it, their bracket is likely to be the most exciting basketball over the next ~two months. 
 
Anyhow, here are the match ups.  I am going to be very short on sleep this next few weeks...

San Antonio vs. Dallas (Spurs won the season series 4-0)
Oklahoma City vs. Memphis (OKC won the season series 3-1)
L.A. Clippers vs. Golden State (tied 2-2 in season series)
Houston vs. Portland (Rockets let season series 3-1)
 
edit:  added head-to-head 2014 records.  Of these match-ups, only the Spurs/Mavs looks like it will be over quickly.  OKC is drawing a hot, healthier Memphis squad, the Clippers/Warriors series may be shortened by the absence of Andrew Bogut but that match-up is always a war and Portland has the size to bang with Houston.
 
My picks out of the west are in this order:  San Antonio, OKC, Houston, LAC with either the Grizzlies or Warriors having a puncher's chance.

 

[Tony C]

Ind  v Atl
Chi v Was
Tor v Bkn
Mia v Cha

 
Indy vs Atlanta -- I'll say Indy in 5. Indy seemed to regain a bit of mojo at the end of the year, and the poor Hawks are just undermanned. Kudos to them for gutting it into the playoffs despite the injuries, though.
 
Chi vs Wash -- Chicago in 6. I actually think Washington developed pretty nicely as the season went on and Nene is back? There's some talent there and not like Chicago is so great, but they are tough and disciplined -- good enough to beat a terribly coached Wash club.
 
Tor v Brooklyn -- toughest series for me to call. Toronto has been really good but Brooklyn is more talented and seemed to come into their own.  I'll make this my upset special -- Toronto in 7. Big home court advantage, better coached, and more of a team.
 
Miami v Char -- Miami in 5.
 

San Antonio vs. Dallas (Spurs won the season series 4-0)
Oklahoma City vs. Memphis (OKC won the season series 3-1)
L.A. Clippers vs. Golden State (tied 2-2 in season series)
Houston vs. Portland (Rockets let season series 3-1)
 

 
San Antoni v Dallas -- SA in 4. Great matchup for the Spurs.
 
OKC v Memphis -- OKC in 6. Similarly good match up....the Griz can't slow down OKC.
 
LAC v GS -- Clippers in 6. If the Clippers are healthy then they'll just outman the Warriors -- far more well rounded, well-coached team. Curry and Iguadola will win 1 or 2 games for GS, but can't carry the whole series. Losing Bogut hurts.
 
Hou v Portland - Hou in 6. Fun series, but Houston is just better -- Portland's lack of defense won't put up much resistance.

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

Blazermania is back. Pretty silent around town today. I think this series is going to be a ton of fun. Not only will it be run and gun and not much defense, but these two teams do not like each other. At all.