The NBA season has come to an end and the 2015 playoffs are upon us. There is a lot of discussion about the Western Conference dominance, but while that conference has the depth, the Eastern Conference has the best player in the world in Lebron James for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
NBA 2015 Playoffs: First Round Matchups & Jack Moon’s Predictions
The East have three to four teams that could make the NBA Finals, but the West have at least six teams that could contend for the Finals. The San Antonio Spurs are a sixth seed for goodness sakes. The Golden State Warriors clearly have their work cut out for them.
But champions are not given their trophies. Games must be played. Here is an analysis of the matchups and Jack Moon’s predictions for the first round.
Eastern Conference First Round:
Atlanta Hawks (1) v. Brooklyn Nets (8)
This is a typical 1-8 matchup. The Brooklyn Nets qualified for the playoffs on the last day of the regular season. However, the Nets have experience and Brook Lopez has played well the last couple months of the regular season.
However, the Atlanta Hawks have the top seed and clearly have played the best throughout the entire regular season. The Hawks are the San Antonio Spurs West by spreading around the ball with strong defense led by coach Mike Budenholzer.
The Nets experience might steal one game.
Prediction: Hawks in 5
Cleveland Cavaliers (2) v. Boston Celtics (7)
Nice work by the Boston Celtics and head coach Brad Stevens to qualify for the playoffs. But, the playoffs are about star players. The Celtics are lacking in that department. Isaiah Thomas is the one exception. The Cleveland Cavaliers are not lacking in talented stars and have the best player in the world in Lebron James.
Thomas and the NBA referees may help the Celtics steal one game.
Prediction: Cavaliers in 5
Chicago Bulls (3) v. Milwaukee Bucks (6)
The Milwaukee Bucks are young and long and will be a tough matchup for the playoff tested Chicago Bulls. But, true to form, the Bulls are limping into the playoffs.
Coming off his third knee surgery in four seasons, Derrick Rose sat out the second half of the last regular game of the season for knee soreness. Joakim Noah sat out the last two games of the season with a hamstring issue on the same knee he had surgery on. Taj Gibson left the game in the third quarter of the last game with numbness in his arm from his shoulder injury. Kirk Hinrich is affected by a hyper-extended knee.
Bulls are an injury mess, but will have the talent and depth to defeat a young and upcoming Bucks team without Jabari Parker.
Prediction: Bulls in 6
Toronto Raptors (4) v. Washington Wizards (5)
Toronto Raptors just missed out on a 2nd seed, but they will still be overmatched by the strong Washington Wizards. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan will have trouble with the Wizards’ John Wall and Bradley Beal.
The Wizards’ big men, Nene and Marcin Gortat, will give the Raptors front-court trouble. It will be hard fought, but the Wizards will win out.
Prediction: Wizards in 7
Western Conference First Round:
Golden State Warriors (1) v. New Orleans Pelicans (8)
New Orleans Pelicans knocked out the Oklahoma Thunder from the playoffs. The Pelicans may be just happy to make the playoffs, but they have a serious star in Anthony Davis. Davis will likely be an NBA most valuable player in three or four years.
But, the Golden State Warriors are here now and do not plan on giving any charity to the grateful Pelicans. The Warriors have too much talent and the Pelicans will be defeated.
Prediction: Warriors in 5
Houston Rockets (2) v. Dallas Mavericks (7)
The Houston Rockets will have a drag out fight with the Dallas Mavericks. Unfortunately, the former Rocket, Chandler Parsons, is injured. The Rockets have also experienced season-ending injuries to Patrick Beverly and Donatas Motiejunas.
Dallas has the playoff experience of Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler and Rajon Rondo. This experience will be important, but the Rockets will be too strong. James Harden will prove to be the difference.
Prediction: Rockets in 6
Los Angeles Clippers (3) v. San Antonio Spurs (6)
Like the Rockets and Mavericks series, throw out the seeds in this matchup. The Los Angeles Clippers have the most talented team they have had in years and finished the season strong going 14-1. They have a playoff-experienced head coach in Doc Rivers.
Unfortunately, the Clippers have to play the San Antonio Spurs. The defending champions have everything the Clippers and more. The Spurs are very talented, finished the season 21-3 and have the best head coach in the game in Gregg Popovich.
The Clippers have the most efficient offense, but the Spurs excel defensively and should have enough to clip the wings of the Clippers.
Prediction: Spurs in 6
Portland Trail Blazers (4) v. Memphis Grizzlies (5)
The Portland Trail Blazers were looking great all season until injuries began to take a toll. Portland lost Wesley Matthews for the year and are likely without Dorell Wright this series. Arron Afflalo and C.J. McCollum are also nursing injuries.
The Memphis Grizzlies simply maul teams inside and will grind the Trail Blazers down. Marc Gasol looked good in the last regular season game after returning from an ankle injury. The Grizzlies will simply have more depth and strength for Portland.
