NBA First Round Preview
What are the storylines going to be in the NBA playoffs this season? Will the Cleveland Cavaliers repeat? Will the Golden State Warriors finally win a ring for Kevin Durant? Can Russell Westbrook pull off the unthinkable?
Eastern Conference: (8) Chicago Bulls vs (1) Boston Celtics: Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler will give the Celtics some problems in the first round. They both can take over games at any moment. However, the Celtics gritty and tough style of play can cause the Bulls problems as well. Al Horford is a machine down low and Isaiah Thomas will outplay Rajon Rondo. The pick: Boston in 6.
(7) Indiana Pacers vs (2) Cleveland Cavaliers: This isn't going to be an easy series for the Cavaliers in the first round. Don't expect them to flip the defensive switch right away, but expect them to make enough plays to win the series. Paul George and Lebron James will be going back and forth. It's all up to the supporting cast of the other teams to help them out. The pick: Cleveland in 6.
(6) Milwaukee Bucks vs (3) Toronto Raptors: Giannis Antetokoumpo will probably be the best player on the court in this series, but the Raptors are the better team, but they need to becareful. Kyle Lowry could affect the chemistry of this Raptors team. Bucks are very scrappy on defense as well. The pick: Milwaukee in 6.
(5) Atlanta Hawks vs (4) Washington Wizards: John Wall and Bradley Beal is an explosive backcourt. They are going to be on a mission to prove they are the best team in the east. They have a solid supporting cast around them and the Hawks don't have a whole lot other than Dwight Howard and Paul Millsap. The pick: Washington in 5.
Western Conference: (8) Portland Trail Blazers vs (1) Golden State Warriors: Kevin Durant is on a mission to win his first title. Portland isn't an easy first round matchup as people think it is. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum might be able to steal a game or two, but they won't steal a series. Golden State has just too much firepower at the end of the day. The pick: Golden State in 6.
(7) Memphis Grizzles vs (2) San Antonio Spurs: Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs should have an easy time with the Grizzles in the first round. Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are having solid seasons, but do they really have enough to win a game or two in this series to make it interesting? The Spurs are too much of an oiled machine. The pick: San Antonio in 4.
(6) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (3) Houston Rockets: Russell Westbrook and James Harden are probably the top 2 MVP candidates this season, squaring off in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Will Westbrook survive without Durant? Will Harden continue to rely on his supporting cast? The Rockets can shoot the three ball at a crazy rate. The pick: Houston in 5.
(5) Utah Jazz vs (4) Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers are under immense pressure to get to the western conference finals this season. However, they have to face a tough defensive minded Utah Jazz team in the first round. The Clippers have more talent, but the Jazz play better as a team. Rudy Gobert vs DeAndre Jordan should be a great down low matchup. The pick: Utah in 7.
