NBA Playoffs Preview (Sunday edition)

(1) Cavaliers vs (8) Pistons

 This series will be a lot closer than one thinks. While LeBron is inevitably going to do whatever he wants on the court, the Pistons can throw 3 quality wing defenders at him in Marcus Morris, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Stanley Johnson.

For the Pistons to steal a game or two, Drummond needs to turn into man; gobble up boards and gash Cleveland as the roller. In the end, the Cavs trump the Pistons in overall talent and experience. Also, they have LeBron so...yeah.

Cavs in 5

(3) Heat vs (6) Hornets

 Two super deep teams that deserve a ton of credit by surviving hits to key players in the season. The Heat come into the series with the clear advantage in experience, coaching and having Dwyane Wade, who can still do his thing when well rested.

The Hornets can make this a competitive series with ease, but for them to come out on top, Batum needs to overcome some nagging injuries, Big Al needs to emerge as a dominant post presence for a couple games and most of all, Kemba needs to out-duel the Dragon. I'm liking the Heat to win this, since I would be unwise not to bet on Wade.

Heat in 6

(2) Spurs vs (7) Grizz

 Boy, is this series going to be brutal to watch. Two teams who excel at dragging down the pace to that of my grandmother driving her Prius and both have stifling defenses yet clogged offenses. The Spurs are too Spursy to let Memphis come close to sniffing blood in this series. Maybe the Grizz win one game, but I got nothing predicting how that could happen.

The fact that this Grizz team, obliterated by injuries to their two best players and key role ones, is even standing here in the playoffs is a testament to what a fantastic job Dave Joerger has done with this squad as well as Grit n Grind holding the fort.

To make this series semi-bearable without drinking, watch just how marvelous Kawhi Leonard is at everything. Oh, also watch Matt Barnes; anything could happen with him involved.

Spurs in 4

(4) Clippers vs (5) Blazers

 This series has my vote for potential best. You definitely have the best point guard matchup of the entire first round: Chris Paul and Damian Lillard. Another awesome 2 guard matchup between the silky C.J. McColumn and three point machine J.J. Redick. There will be Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Allen Crabbe, cool Terry Stotts OTAs and lastly, the Doc Rivers playoff experience.

The Clippers are desperate to shave off the choke label when the playoffs roll around, while the Blazers are a hungry team that will for sure get at least two wins in this series.

Enjoy this one folks, because it may be the best the first round has to offer.

Clips in 5 (followed by a choke-fest vs whomever they play in round 2)








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