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Tomorrow, Saturday, April 19, 2014 the NBA playoffs 2014 are starting. The end of the regular season is always a little complicated because there are teams who are looking to rest their stars, others that need to win their playoffs berth and still others just waiting for the end of the season to think about the next one. For the first time in the NBA history the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks have all failed to reach the playoffs. This year the injury situation was quite complicated for some of the likely protagonists of the post-season with consequent ups and downs.
Let’s have a look at the teams with the best playoffs positions in the two conferences.
Eastern Conference
Indiana Pacers
After the All-Star Game, the Indiana Pacers had ups and downs and give the impression that within the team there’s some problem. Nevertheless, they got the top seed in the Eastern Conference, proving to have a really huge potential. They should win without big problems the first round against the Atlanta Hawks, another team that has a high potential but is been disappointing for years. The Pacers, however, are under pressure and in the later rounds, probably against the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat, will have to play better to win, otherwise for them the season will be a disappointment.
Miami Heat
For the reigning NBA champions starting the playoffs with the no. 2 seed might seem like a disappointment. However, the players know exactly what they need to do to win so I think they’re still the team to beat. In the first round they should easily defeat the Charlotte Bobcats, who finally showed signs of life and have already achieved a great result, in the later rounds we’ll see if the Heat are really ready to win their third straight title.
Toronto Raptors
The surprising Toronto Raptors won the no. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs but will have to face in the first round the Brooklyn Nets, a team that had many ups and downs during this season but with several veteran players who have great experience in the playoffs. In my opinion the Nets will win the series and try to make the surprise beating the Miami Heat as well, an almost impossible mission.
Chicago Bulls
Derrick Rose has played very few games before surrendering to another unlucky season but the Chicago Bulls are a team that fights to the end. I think they’ll win the first round against the Washington Wizards but they should hope for a suicide by the Indiana Pacers to go further.
Western Conference
San Antonio Spurs
Once again, the San Antonio Spurs have played a great regular season, showing they have the best system. However, last year they were lucky because in the Western Conference playoffs they faced opponents who were missing important players. This year they might have to work hard since the first round against the Dallas Mavericks, another team with several veterans. They’ll probably win but already in the conference semifinals they’ll face an athletic team and there could be a surprise.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The key to the Oklahoma City Thunder is the players’ shape. They had some important injuries, now we must see if the players who just got back are ready for the playoffs. The first round won’t be easy against the Memphis Grizzlies but if they don’t reach at least the NBA Finals their season will be disappointing.
Los Angeles Clippers
After one season of improvements, the Los Angeles Clippers need to play the first round against the Golden State Warriors, the surprise of the last year’s playoffs. In the regular season, the games between these two teams were very balanced but the playoffs are a different thing. The Clippers have the home court advantage and the Warriors won’t have Bogut, injured. In my opinion it will still be a long series and there might be a surprise.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets have improved with the arrival of Dwight Howard but they have to play a first round that’s not easy against the surprising Portland Trail Blazers. For the Rockets it’s the moment of truth because the team is ambitious. If they were to go out in the first round it would be a big disappointment. If they could find the right confidence, in my opinion they could even beat the San Antonio Spurs and get to the conference finals.
