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NBA Playoffs 2015 Preview & Predictions

WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREVIEW

(1)Golden State Warriors vs (8)New Orleans Pelicans
This match up provides some of the marquee names in the NBA with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of the Warriors going up against Anthony Davis of the Pelicans. Davis has become one of the best players in the game and proving so most recently by pulling his team into the playoffs just as the season ended. If the Pelicans are going to want any chance in this series, they are going to have to try and limit Golden State’s three-point barrage. They average the second most three pointers made per game and have the best three point shooting percentage in the league; it is no doubt their strength. But even if the Pelicans do manage to limit the Warriors’ three point shot and Davis can average over thirty points per game for the series I still cannot see them taking more than a game in New Orleans on possibly a Davis buzzer beater.
WINNER-GOLDEN STATE IN 4 GAMES

(2)Houston Rockets vs (7)Dallas Mavericks
There are some interesting reunions in this match up with Chandler Parsons facing his former team and Jason Terry going up against the team he won it all with a couple of years ago. Maybe Parsons can give Rick Carlisle some advice on beating his former teammate and perennial MVP candidate James Harden. Harden will be a key piece to the Rockets if they want to take care of business in this match up. We also get a chance in this one to see how much is left in Dirk Nowitzki’s tank, he definitely is close to the end of his ride and this may be the last best team he plays on. Still I think Dwight Howard is the real X-factor in this match-up though, the Rockets know they can count on Harden but will Howard be completely healthy and effective? Going into it the Rockets seem pretty confident about it. All of that could change if something should happen in one of the games. I think even without a fully effective Dwight Howard though the Rockets will win this one
WINNER-HOUSTON ROCKETS IN 5 GAMES

(3)Los Angeles Clippers vs (6)San Antonio Spurs
The Clippers are looking to avoid an early exit this year against the defending champs, the last time they played the Spurs they were swept in the second round three years ago. Although Chris Paul and the Clippers look hungry this year and will not go down without a fight you cannot deny that the Spurs time defying engine keeps on chugging. Do not be fooled, they are a misleading number six seed in this match up. Their experience and playoff hardened veterans will definitely play as an advantage for them in this one. They will be glad to have that kind of experience especially since they start on the road. Don’t be surprised if they come out Sunday and take the very first game.
WINNER-SAN ANTONIO SPURS IN 6 GAMES

(4) Portland Trail Blazers vs (5) Memphis Grizzlies
The Portland Trail Blazers are no stranger to injury and this time it’s a man by the name of Wesley Mathews who they have been missing the most. Ever since he was lost for the season the Trail Blazers just have not been he same, going 10-12 without him and effectively stumbling into a forgiving four seed thanks to the NBA’s playoff system. Without that they would have been much lower and possibly facing a much better team. Still they have their hands full with the Grizzlies, who just play so physically every game. The last thing Portland needs is another injury and I’d be willing to bet LaMarcus Aldridge gets a finger or two caught somewhere when trying to guard Zach Randolf. No matter what way you look at it, this one just seems like Grizzlies series to lose. Although, the Trail Blazers do have someone who made a very amazing shot in last year’s playoffs…
WINNER-MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES IN 5 GAMES

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREVIEW

(1)Atlanta Hawks vs (8)Brooklyn Nets

The Eastern conferences team with the best record takes on the Brooklyn Nets in what appears to be a seriously mismatched first round series. The Nets are one or two years possibly from a rebuilding, which will be tough considering they are lacking in first round picks for the next four drafts. I cannot see them winning more than a game in this series and even then that is probably pushing it. The Hawks have simply been dominant this year, they have twenty-eight wins against teams over .500 and the nets only have twelve. Oh, did I mention that nobody holds teams to a worse field goal percentage than the Hawks in the Eastern Conference?
WINNER-ATLANTA HAWKS IN 4 GAMES

(2)Cleveland Cavaliers vs (7)Boston Celtics
LeBron James back with his hometown team will have to go through the Celtics if he is going to bring a championship to Cleveland. He faces a scrappy Celtics team that has scraped its way to the playoffs. James probably still remembers the loss the Celtics delivered to him in the second round of the 2010 playoffs. The Celtics later went on to lose to the Lakers in seven games in the NBA Finals. But it hurt especially for Cleveland because they finished the season as the number one seed with sixty-one wins. No doubt LeBron is looking to bring some revenge to them in this one as the Cleveland Cavaliers figured things out after a rocky start to their season
WINNER-CLEVELAND CAVALIERS IN 4 GAMES

(3)Chicago Bulls vs (6)Milwaukee Bucks
The whole basketball world will have their eyes on Derrick Rose’s knees to see if they hold up in this match up. The Bulls star guard actually had a part of his meniscus removed when he tore it back in February so he would be back earlier and in time for these playoffs. The Bulls begin their 2015 playoffs facing the surprise six seed; the Milwaukee Bucks who have a possible coach of the year candidate leading them. Jason Kidd got this team, which only won fifteen games last year, picked second overall in the draft and then lost that draft pick in the beginning of the season to win more than double what they did last year. So anything from here is just really gravy for the Bucks. Keep an eye on Khris Middleton, the guy has had a career year for Milwaukee and could be an X-factor for them if they want to steal a game and make this interesting. He hit an insane shot for them earlier in the season. Jimmy Butler is a good counter for him but the Bucks have good guards, like Michael Carter-Williams and Jerryd Bayless, that could cause the Bulls to have to avert Butler’s attention to them.
WINNER-CHICAGO BULLS IN 5 GAMES

(4) Toronto Raptors vs (5) Washington Wizards
This one was a tough one to call. Both teams have been on a slow build in the past couple of years. The Raptors made the playoffs last year for the first time in six years only to lose to the lower seeded Nets in seven games after having a three to two lead in the series. They probably are not looking for another early exit but if they want to stop the Wizards they are going to need to stop John Wall. Which is much easier said than done because there might not be a guy on the planet who can get up and down the court faster than he does. Washington is the number one team in the East in fast break points per game. Even if they do not have an answer for John Wall in the open court, I am sure Kyle Lowry will keep their offense in check as he has done all year. This match-up seems like the most even out of any…
WINNER-WASHINGTON WIZARDS IN 7 GAMES

Daniel is a recent college graduate with a business marketing degree expressing his thoughts on todays sports. A New York City area native spends free time writing, reading and playing basketball.

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