It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
No, it’s not Christmas but to an NBA fan, Christmas is always a good two-month span from April to mid-June. Where rivalries are made, moments are captured in time and champions are crowned. Let’s take a look at the first round matchups and who I think will win and why.
Eastern Conference
No.1 Boston Celtics(53-29) versus No.8 Chicago Bulls(41-41)
Though Chicago having to beat an already dead in the water Brooklyn Nets just to secure the number eight seed in the East is a concern, their entire season was an up-and-down wave of drama, injuries and yet had its moments of heroics. Jimmy Butler thrives in late game situations. Will the Celtics confidence waver? Undoubtedly. Isaiah Thomas and company will have a fight to the second round but they take it in the end.
Celtics in 6.
No.2 Cleveland Cavaliers(51-31) versus No.7 Indiana Pacers(42-40)
Ahhh the rivalry of Paul George and company against LeBron will have another chapter written by the end of this series. Unfortunately, this is not the Pacers of 5 years ago which included a Roy Hibbert and David West in their primes, a blossoming George. The Cavs must be furious after losing the number one seed after all year.Expect to see their anger on the court.
Cavs in 5.
No.3 Toronto Raptors(51-31) versus No.6 Milwaukee Bucks(42-40)
The Raptors have been stout all year even with their shaky weeks Kyle Lowry was out with injury. The Bucks are hungry though and I feel if anyone is getting upset it’s the Raptors against this young team.
Bucks in 7.
No.4 Washington Wizards(49-33) versus No.5 Atlanta Hawks(43-39)
The Wizards have a lot to deal with the Hawks aging lineup but I think the Wizards playoff experience comes full swing against a weak Hawks team even with John Wall battling injuries.
Wizards in 4.
Western Conference
No.1 Golden State Warriors(67-15) versus No.8 Portland Trail Blazers(41-41)
The Trail Blazers fought tooth and nail all year to make it here. Damian Lillard vows he’ll do everything he can to give a good fight to the Warriors but with Kevin Durant back from injury and Golden State firing on all cylinders this season, Portland stands no chance.
Warriors in 5.
No.2 San Antonio Spurs(61-21) versus No.7 Memphis Grizzlies(43-39)
The stout Grizzlies defense is always a problem for team’s but the Spurs experience and offense will be too much to handle for this now fast aging team.
Spurs in 6.
No.3 Houston Rockets(55-27) versus No.6 Oklahoma City Thunder(47-35)
The matchup of the two potential MVP’s comes to a head in this first round series. Sadly Russell Westbrook‘s historic season comes to an end against one of the NBA’s best three-point teams.
Rockets in 6.
No.4 Los Angeles Clippers(51-31) versus No.5 Utah Jazz(51-31)
This will be the best series in the first round. Bar none, an up-and-coming Utah team versus a playoff hardened Clippers team that gets in every year but has had its playoff woes. This will be equal to a heavyweight bout, but the Jazz prevail.
Jazz in 7.
