Eastern Conference:
1 Cavaliers vs 8 Pistons - Cavs in 4
Playoff LeBron is upon us and I really don't see the Pistons having a chance in this series, they might be able to sneak out one win.
2 Raptors vs 7 Pacers - Raptors in 6
I'm not big on the Raptors but they'll definitely advance against this Pacers team. Pacers will be a tough out though but I think the Raptors backcourt of Lowry & Derozan will be too much.
3 Heat vs 6 Hornets - Heat in 7
Now this might be the best series of the entire first round. The Heat have a good mix of young and old players with Dwyane Wade leading the charge. I'm taking the experience of the Heat over the Hornets but Charlotte will definitely put up a fight and it will not be a very pretty series scoring wise.
4 Hawks vs 5 Celtics - Celtics in 7
This also has the makings of a great first round series. I'm taking the Celtics here because of Brad Stevens. The Hawks combo of Paul Millsap & Al Horford will be a problem and they could very well win the series. This is the one most likely to go 7 for me.
Western Conference:
1 Warriors vs 8 Rockets - Warriors in 4
73-9, what a hell of an accomplishment, I never thought the 72-10 record by the Bulls would ever be broken but it has. Warriors definitely will not slip up here especially with the back to back MVP Steph Curry coming off one of the greatest seasons of all time. Rockets could win a game if Harden just completely goes off, but I don't see it happening.
2 Spurs vs 7 Grizzlies - Spurs in 4
Sorry Grizz, but your whole team is hurt. This is a guaranteed lock of a sweep right here. Spurs are just too good and too deep. They'll want their rest before the tough challenge in the next round.
3 Thunder vs 6 Mavericks - Thunder in 6
Now, I'm giving the Mavs 2 games here because of two things. One, Rick Carlisle is one of the top 5 coaches in the league and he'll at least win them one game because he's a far superior coach than Billy Donovan, and two the Thunder have had problems closing out games, I anticipate that rearing it's ugly head in one game. But overall KD and Westbrook are just too much for this Mavs team to overcome.
4 Clippers vs 5 Blazers - Clippers in 6
Honestly I didn't even think the Blazers would make the playoffs, much less the 5th seed in the west. Great coaching job by Terry Stotts and Dame Lillard along with CJ McCollum became a very solid back court this season. I still give the edge to the Clippers to win in 6, I wouldn't be surprised if this did go 7 though. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and Deandre Jordan really have a lot on them this postseason to make a push to the Western Conference Finals (which won't happen because... you know.. Warriors) and it could be the last time we see those 3 paired together if (when) they fail to do so.
One last thing, man was that a perfect way to go out for Kobe (given the circumstances). I would have been happy with a 30 point game, but 60! I didn't even think he had that in him anymore. I know it took 50 shots to do so, but he did make 44% of his shots (close to his career average). He would have been more efficient if he didn't take so many 3s (that's the story of the entire season really) but I understand with the old legs you don't have it in you to take it to the basket every time. People will ultimately forget about the number of shots he took and just remember that in his last game he scored 60 points. Now it also helps that the Jazz had nothing to play for after finding out they were eliminated from playoff contention. He definitely left everything he had on the court last night, he gave the game of basketball everything he could, all the way to the end. All in all, it was a unforgettable night, with all of the tributes, the stars in attendance, and all of the festivities going on around Staples Center and of course his performance. After spending 20 years in Los Angeles, it's only right that he had a Hollywood ending. I will never forget what happened in the final game Kobe Bryant's great career.
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