1st round playoffs thread

[Mori Chu]

I suppose we could have a thread for each series, but would we get enough traffic in each thread? Probably not.

That Raptors/Pacers game was great. Paul George is the man. I think the Pacers have a real shot to win that series. They have the best player on the floor, they have a far better coach, and the Raptors and their fans know that Toronto has a horrible playoff history. I smell a possible upset or at the very least a long series.

Warriors predictably beat the snot out of Houston. That one looks like a sweep to me.

Boston/Atlanta comes next. I don't like the Celtics much as a playoff team. Good regular season team, plays hard, great coach. But they will be relying on I.Thomas, Evan Turner, Jae Crowder, these kinds of guys. I don't trust em. And ATL has a great coach of their own. I like the Hawks there.

At the end of the evening tonight we have OKC/DAL. I think OKC is going to absolutely crush the Mavs in that series. OKC has poor discipline and mediocre coaching compared to Dallas's masterful leadership by Jim Carrey and Dirk. But OKC just has way more talent, including two top-10 players in the NBA. The Mavs can't overcome that.

Here are my overall playoff predictions if anybody cares. I think this year's playoffs are going to be wacky and have some big upsets. Look at my dumb pick of who I have coming out of the East! Honestly I have no idea what'll unfold in the East; very hard to predict because the teams are so close in record. My main prediction is that I think both the Warriors and the Cavs won't make it to the NBA Finals. I feel stronger about the Cavs not making it than the Ws, because I think Cleveland has major chemistry issues and is going to be in trouble. The Ws I love as a team and have way more confidence in, but I think they've put too much wear on their legs all year and that the Spurs are going to pound them and outsmart them. I can't wait for that series.

WEST
4-0 Warriors over Rockets
4-0 Spurs over Grizzlies
4-1 OKC over Mavs
4-2 Clips over Blazers

4-1 Warriors over Clips
4-2 Spurs over OKC

4-2 Spurs over Warriors

EAST
4-2 Cavs over Pistons
4-3 Pacers over Raptors
4-1 Heat over Hornets
4-2 Hawks over Celtics

4-1 Cavs over Hawks
4-3 Heat over Pacers

4-2 Heat over Cavs

FINALS
4-1 Spurs over Heat

[Superbone]

Man, Lowry sure choked in game one against the Pacers while Paul George was clutch.

[Split T]

Warriors over Rockets in 4
Spurs over Grizz in 4
Thunder over Mavs in 5
Clippers over Blazers in 7

Cavs over Pistons in 5
Raptors over Pacers in 6
Hornets over Heat in 6
Celtics over Hawks in 7

Warriors over Clippers in 5
Spurs over Thunder in 7
Cavs over Celtics in 5
Raptors over Hornets in 6

Warriors over Spurs in 5
Cavs over Raptors in 7

Warriors over Cavs in 5

I think the west is pretty easy to figure out. No upsets all the way through for me. East I have no clue, other than I think Cleveland pulls it out. They've had some issues, but I don't really like anyone else in the conference.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

I could copy and paste Mori's predictions in the first round, except for me going 4-3 Toronto over Pacers.

Then I like to wait to the next round, because injuries, banged players and such, always plays a role after every round. Per example, Curry already left with a tweaked ankle in the opening game, and the Dubs are an entirely different team without him.

Big point, I can agree in a Heat over Cavs upset, it's far from wacky to me. The Lebrons are a collection of talent, while the Heat is a team, with a far superior coach, and their stars would be in a mission to stop Lebron from returning to the finals, while Irving and Love lack such motivation. But even then, Lue vs Spoelstra is the matchup that trump its all.

[Mori Chu]

Hawks hold on to win by 1 point over Celtics in Game 1.

Thunder running away with a victory so far against Mavs.

[carey]

Damn. OKC is putting an ass whoopin' on Dallas. Was nice to see GS thump Houston. I hate the Rox.

[TOO]

When is the lottery drawing? That's the only PO thing I care about.

[carey]

When is the lottery drawing? That's the only PO thing I care about.

http://www.nba.com/news/important-dates/

The Lottery is May 17th.

[Indy]

I can't see the refs letting the Spurs/Warriors be done in less than 7 games.

[Flagrant Fowl]

The second round in the West is going to be fantastic. The East is a snoozefest as usual.

[Mori Chu]

I think the East is pretty interesting. Almost every series should be competitive.

[Hermen]

The second round in the West is going to be fantastic. The East is a snoozefest as usual.

Yesterdays game would beg to differ

[Superbone]

The Pistons gave the Cavs a run for their money. Just shows how inferior the East is.

[carey]

Watching Miaimi dismantle Charlotte thoroughly. Kind of boring.

[Mori Chu]

Heat/Cavs in Round 2 is going to be pretty interesting. Heat are less talented but have better coaching, teamwork, fan support, and toughness. I will enjoy that one.

[carey]

Heat/Cavs in Round 2 is going to be pretty interesting. Heat are less talented but have better coaching, teamwork, fan support, and toughness. I will enjoy that one.

I don't really want to root for Dragic but I definitely don't want to root for LeBron. Meh.

[Mori Chu]

Watching Spurs dismantle the Grizzlies. I think this series will be a sweep. San Antonio takes care of business. They look sharp. Really like these guys to go all the way.

[carey]

Yeah, they are missing 2 starters. Hard for Memphis to beat a full S.A. team without Gasol & Conley.

[Superbone]

https://twitter.com/TasMelas/status/721819155704328192

[Superbone]

Ian Eagle talking out his ass saying Dragic has only been in one playoff series with the Suns.