Tomorrow, Saturday, April 18, 2015 the NBA playoffs 2015 are starting. In this season injuries heavily influenced some teams’ performance. The result is that three of the four Conference finalists from a year ago, Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat, haven’t reached the playoffs. Instead, all teams of the Shouthwest Division reached them, a sign of the Western Conference’s high level.
Let’s take a look at the playoffs first round matchups and the possibility that the various teams have to go forward.
Eastern Conference
(1) Atlanta Hawks – (8) Brooklyn Nets
The Atlanta Hawks made a big step forward confirming the progress of the project pursued by coach Mike Budenholzer, who arrived from the San Antonio Spurs. This means that the team improved especially in defense. Now the team must demonstrate it has the skills to compete at the highest levels despite having limited experience. In my opinion they’ll easily win the first round against the Brooklyn Nets, who have abandoned the idea of winning with veterans and are rebuilding the team so they have reached the playoffs only thanks to the Eastern Conference’s weakness. For the Hawks the problems will come in the later rounds but I think they can reach the Conference Finals.
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers – (7) Boston Celtics
The Cleveland Cavaliers struggled to find the team chemistry but for LeBron James it’s been a journey he already did with the Miami Heat. Now the team looks ready for the playoffs and the only doubt concerns the health of Kyrie Irving, who recently had some problems with his right hip. The Boston Celtics, who are pursuing a new project with a young head coach don’t seem ready to create problems for the Cavaliers but can look at their future. I’m not sure that the Cavaliers are ready to win the NBA title but In my opinion they could still reach the NBA Finals.
(3) Chicago Bulls – (6) Milwaukee Bucks
The Chicago Bulls are a really good team, even if Derrick Rose won’t be at his best but they don’t give me the impression of being able to go forward in the playoffs. Even the team’s managers seem to have doubts, especially on head coach Tom Thibodeau. The Milwaukee Bucks are back to the playoffs with Jason Kidd as head coach but I don’t think they can beat the Bulls. In my opinion, Chicago will win the first round but then lose the Conference semifinals.
(4) Toronto Raptors – (5) Washington Wizards
This is an interesting series that could go even to game 7. The Toronto Raptors won the three regular season games against the Washington Wizards but the playoffs are another thing. The Raptors remain the favorites but a win for the Wizards wouldn’t be a huge surprise for me. In any case, I think the winners will lose their Conference semifinal.
Western Conference
(1) Golden State Warriors – (8) New Orleans Pelicans
In recent seasons, the Golden State Warriors had a formidable offense, this season have improved their defense and this can make a difference in the playoffs. This is why this year I find them really convincing. The New Orleans Pelicans achieved a great result reaching the playoffs in the tough Western Conference but they might even get swept in this series. In my opinion, the Warriors are contenders to reach at least the NBA Finals and could even win the title.
(2) Houston Rockets – (7) Dallas Mavericks
The Houston Rockets had a great season despite the injury of Dwight Howard, who stated that he’ll play at his team’s service. I think for them it’s the crucial year after good seasons but with disappointing playoffs. The Dallas Mavericks are an experienced team but I don’t think they can beat the Rockets. For Houston, the problems will be in the subsequent rounds and I think they’d lose another all-Texan series if it will be against the San Antonio Spurs.
(3) Los Angeles Clippers – (6) San Antonio Spurs
The Los Angeles Clippers completed an excellent season after the stormy end of the Sterling era but this first round is really hard for them. The San Antonio Spurs finished a difficult season because of some injuries and their head coach Gregg Popovich played the long game accepting to lose games to have his stars healthy for the playoffs. The Clippers are really strong but In my opinion they’re not consistent enough while the Spurs especially in the playoffs are excellent so I think they’ll win this series. The problem for the Spurs is that in the next series they won’t have home court advantage so it will be difficult to win the NBA title again. In my opinion they can still reach at least the Conference Finals.
(4) Portland Trail Blazers – (5) Memphis Grizzlies
The Portland Trail Blazers have the position 4 because they won the Northwest Division but the Memphis Grizzlies have a better record so they’ll have home court advantage. It’s a rule that creates confusion so I hope that the NBA will abolish it considering only the record for the playoffs positions. The two teams have very different styles: faster for the Blazers, more controlled for the Grizzlies. Both teams had a few problems during the regular season and haven’t convinced of their skills. In my opinion the Grizzlies will win this series but lose the Conference semifinal.
