The heat is on for basketball world’s
most exciting season, the NBA Playoffs. Sixteen teams--
8 from the Eastern Conference and 8 from the Western Conference—are going to battle it out in
best-of-seven series all the way to the NBA finals.
Here are my predictions in the 2016
NBA Playoffs 1st round series:
Western Conference
Golden State Warriors (1) vs. Houston Rockets (8)
The best team in the league with the best shooter
in back-to-back MVP heavy favorite Stephen Curry. The Golden State Warriors’
73-9 record is the best in NBA history that broke the record of Chicago Bulls
of the 1995-1996 season. The Warriors are poised for a back-to-back
championship. My prediction: A Warriors sweep of the
Houston Rockets.
Los Angeles Clippers (4) vs. Portland Trailblazers (5)
I’d say the Blazers are the most
surprising team this year. I never thought they will get this far in the
playoffs. After the loss of LaMarcus Aldridge to the Spurs and Nicolas Batum to
the Hornets this season, Damian Lillard was left with new teammates and new
system with the Blazers. Now up against a very tough contender in the playoffs,
the Clippers have the upper hand not only in terms of home court advantage but
in the regular season series, they were up 3-1. My prediction: LA Clippers in 6
games.
San Antonio Spurs (2) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (7)
The 2014 NBA champions San Antonio Spurs are still at it, and
proves that age is just a number. They have the second best record in the league
today, plus only one loss at home against the Warriors. A very tough team to
beat, with Defensive Player of the year candidate Kawhi Leonard leading this team. My prediction: San Antonio Spurs
will sweep the Memphis Grizzlies.
Oklahoma City Thunder (3)
vs. Dallas Mavericks (6)
The hot dynamic duo of
triple-double machine Russell Westbrook and the magnificent shootr Kevin Durant
will really toast the Dallas Mavericks in this series. Yes, the OKC is OK to go
up to the next level. My prediction: OKC Thunder in five games.
Eastern Conference
Cleveland
Cavaliers (1) vs. Detroit Pistons (8)
The King didn’t return to his home for no reason and that is why the
Cavaliers are on an insanely productive season thanks to Lebron James and his
MVP-ish performance. They are the number one team in the East today. Did I say
Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving are also in the ship of the King? Well, let’s just
give them the Eastern Conference Finals trophy this early.
My
prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers will thump the Pistons in five games.
Atlanta
Hawks (4) vs. Boston Celtics (5)
A very good matchup of young talents and perimeter
shooting teams, but Atlanta has the better edge in this matchup with their size
and bench depth. My prediction: Atlanta Hawks in 5.
Toronto
Raptors (2) vs. Indiana Pacers (7)
The Raptors-Pacers series is one of the most
exciting in the East. Ditto for a good and young roster in the Toronto Raptors
side with All-Star starter Kyle Lowrie, Demar Derozan and more, against the
comeback kid Paul George who is nothing but spectacular this season. I admire
Paul George as a player but the young guns of Toronto are on a very serious
mission this year. My prediction: Toronto Raptors in
5.
Miami
Heat (3) vs. Charlotte Hornets (6)
I am a Jeremy Lin fan
from the day Linsanity broke in NY up until now that he is a Hornets player. Although
the Heat has the better chances of winning this series, I’d have to use my
heart and guts that hopefully, Lin may past round 1 of the Playoffs. My prediction: I want the
Charlotte Hornets to win it in 6 games though I know that the Heat can torch
them in 6 games as well.
*Photo
credits to NBA TV
Email
the author at: paolomanuelfule@yahoo.com
or text 09184059751.
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