Playoffs?? Playoffs???
The NBA Playoffs are never short of story lines. But until this year, of course, the NBA Playoffs were short of record-tying teams from the regular season. The Warriors come into the playoffs once again with home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, once again with a huge bulls-eye on their back; but this time, they've also got history to compete with. But there's never been a team more ready for playoff ball; Golden State did it all last year and looks poised to do it again.
In the Eastern Conference, conversely, it's all about the unknowns. The New York Knicks won just enough, 40 times, to qualify as the East's 8th seed—a far cry from their worst-in-conference finish last season. They'll have a chance against the Toronto Raptors, seeded 1st for the first time in franchise history... who have also lost in the past round the past two years. The Detroit Pistons, the 5th seed, won 52 games in a huge turnaround from their 32 last year. They're up against Atlanta, less stellar than last year, but more battle-weary and ready.
All teams have an equal chance, but some teams' chances are more equal than others. Let's take a look at the individual match-ups.
1-Golden State Warriors (72-10) vs. 8-Portland Trail Blazers (43-39)
We can talk about how CJ McCollum has thrust himself onto the national stage with his scoring prowess. We can talk about how Damian Lillard is a clutch playoff performer. We can acknowledge that the Blazers' front court is a little slow. But we can't avoid the fact that Golden State might be the best team in history and should have minimal trouble wiping the floor with their West-coast competitor. Golden State outmatches Portland at every position and should have an easy time advancing.
Pick: Golden State Warriors
2-Oklahoma City Thunder (61-21) vs. 7-Los Angeles Clippers (43-39)
Well, an upset could happen. Russell Westbrook isn't 100%. Los Angeles, despite slipping in the second half of the season, fought hard in the final hour and landed a playoff spot. But then again, the Thunder feature Kevin Durant and a great supporting cast including Serge Ibaka and, off the bench, Enes Kanter and his very strong season. Chris Paul is as good as any point guard in the league, but the Thunder just have too much—and an incredible 33-8 home record vs. a 19-22 away record for the Clippers—to not move on.
Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder
3-San Antonio Spurs (59-23) vs. 6-Sacramento Kings (47-35)
The Kings are back in the playoffs thanks to Rajon Rondo's NBA-leading 10.2 assists per game and DeMarcus Cousins' 26. 9 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. But the Spurs are, well, the Spurs. They're tested and deep. Parker and Duncan are rested, Kawhi is sharp as ever... and LaMarcus Aldridge figures to eat up Kings' rookie Willie Cauley-Stein. The Spurs, 32-9 at home, shouldn't have much trouble against a talented, but young, team.
Pick: San Antonio Spurs
4-Houston Rockets (48-34) vs. 5-Memphis Grizzlies (48-34)
The Rockets and Grizzlies are very evenly matched. Both have (surprisingly, for the Rockets) gotten into the playoffs thanks to tough defense: both allow around 95 points per game. The Rockets have the star power, with James Harden (23.3 points per game) and Dwight Howard—who thought he'd still be around by this time of year? The Grizzlies are deep. The only thing separating the two? Houston is on fire, losing only 6 games since the all-star break, while Memphis has lost their last three games. In the playoffs, it's always better to be hot than not.
Pick: Houston Rockets
1-Toronto Raptors (58-24) vs. 8-New York Knicks (38-44)
Home court advantage throughout the conference playoffs heads north of the border for the first time in history, as the Raptors rode the league's best defense (just above 90 points allowed per game) to the top spot in the East. The Knicks are just one season past a last-place finish in the East, so just being here is a pleasure. And with ever-dangerous Carmelo Anthony and rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks could make some noise. But the Raptors, led by the nearly unstoppable back court duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, should make it past the 1st round for the first time in years and take advantage of their home court advantage.
Pick: Toronto Raptors
2-Cleveland Cavaliers (56-26) vs. 2-Boston Celtics (44-38)
These two know each other well. Last year's first-round matchup was the same; that ended with a Cleveland sweep and a Kevin Love back injury that would keep him out of the rest of the playoffs. The Cavs want one result to be the same, and luckily for them, they've got the team—a new-look roster—to do it. Isaiah Thomas has had a great season as the go-to option for the Celtics, but there's no reason Boston should be anything more than a stepping-stone for the Cavaliers.
Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers
3-Miami Heat (56-26) vs. 6-Chicago Bulls (48-34)
Miami had an incredible season, using veterans and rookies both to win the Southeast Division and earn the 3rd spot in the playoffs. They were steady, implacable, and healthy. The Bulls lost Nikola Mirotic to an elbow injury. Dwyane Wade is one of the greatest shooting guards of all time. Derrick Rose has glass ankles. You see where this is heading? The Bulls are going to make a return to their old, tenacious ways, and Jimmy Butler will lead an improbable Chicago team to the next round.
Pick: Chicago Bulls
4-Atlanta Hawks (53-29) vs. 5-Detroit Pistons (52-30)
The Hawks cooled down a little bit from their scalding, best-in-East performance last year. The fire went northwest to Detroit, where the Pistons improved by 20 games on last year's record. Andre Drummond led the league with 15.5 rebounds per game and the Reggie Jackson acquisition proved to be gold for the Pistons. The Hawks are deep up front and have Jeff Teague at the point... but it's time to hop on the Charles Barkley bandwagon, at least for this round. The Jackson–Drummond pick-and-roll will see Detroit through to round 2.
Pick: Detroit Pistons