2017 NBA Playoffs Preview

Eastern Conference

1. Boston Celtics vs. 8. Chicago Bulls

Players to Watch: G Isaiah Thomas and G Jimmy Butler

Who Wins: Celtics in 5 games

2. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 7. Indiana Pacers

Players to Watch: G Kyrie Irving and G Paul George

Who Wins: Cavaliers in 6 games

3. Toronto Raptors vs. 6. Milwaukee Bucks

Players to Watch: G Kyle Lowry and F Giannis Antetokounmpo

Who Wins: Raptors in 6 games

4. Washington Wizards vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks

Players to Watch: G John Wall and F Paul Millsap

Who Wins: Wizards in 6 games

Western Conference

1. Golden State Warriors vs. 8. Portland Trail Blazers

Players to Watch: F Draymond Green and G Damian Lillard

Who Wins: Warriors in 5 games

2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 7. Memphis Grizzlies

Players to Watch: F Kawhi Leonard and G Mike Conley

Who Wins: Spurs in 5 games

3. Houston Rockets vs. 6. Oklahoma City Thunder

Players to Watch: G James Harden and G Russell Westbrook

Who Wins: Rockets in 6 games

4. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 5. Utah Jazz

Players to Watch: G Chris Paul and G Gordon Hayward

Who Wins: Clippers in 7 games

NBA Finals and Award Projections

* – indicates playoffs

MVP – Russell Westbrook – Thunder

Rookie – Buddy Hield – Pelicans

Coach – Alvin Gentry – Pelicans

Defensive Player – DeAndre Jordan – Clippers

Most Improved – D’Angelo Russell – Lakers

Sixth Man – Brandon Knight – Suns

Executive – Danny Ainge – Celtics Continue reading →

Southeast Division

1. Atlanta Hawks

Adding Dwight Howard gives them a presence in the paint they haven’t seen since Dikembe Mutombo.

2. Charlotte Hornets

Their frontcourt depth puts them in the upper echelon of the conference.

3. Washington Wizards

With a new coach maybe they can still salvage the current roster structure and have a longer playoff stay.

4. Orlando Magic

The future is looking pretty intriguing for the franchise.

5. Miami Heat

Losing Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh has put them back into obscurity. Continue reading →

NBA Semifinals Preview

Eastern Conference

1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 4. Atlanta Hawks

Players to Watch: G Kyrie Irving and F Paul Millsap

Who Wins: Cavaliers in 6 games

3. Miami Heat vs. 2. Toronto Raptors

Players to Watch: G Goran Dragic and G DeMar DeRozan

Who Wins: Raptors in 6 games

Western Conference

1. Golden State Warriors vs. 5 Portland Trail Blazers

Players to Watch: G Klay Thompson and G C.J. McCollum

Who Wins: Warriors in 5 games

2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 3. Oklahoma City Thunder

Players to Watch: F LaMarcus Aldridge and G Russell Westbrook

Who Wins: Spurs in 6 games

2016 NBA Playoffs Preview

Eastern Conference

1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8. Detroit Pistons

Players to Watch: G Kyrie Irving and G Reggie Jackson

Who Wins: Cavaliers in 5 games

2. Toronto Raptors vs. 7. Indiana Pacers

Players to Watch: G DeMar DeRozan and F Paul George

Who Wins: Raptors in 6 games

3. Miami Heat vs. 6. Charlotte Hornets

Players to Watch: C Hassan Whiteside and G Kemba Walker

Who Wins: Hornets in 7 games

4. Atlanta Hawks vs. 5. Boston Celtics

Players to Watch: F Al Horford and G Isaiah Thomas

Who Wins: Hawks in 7 games

Western Conference

1. Golden State Warriors vs. 8. Houston Rockets

Players to Watch: F Draymond Green and C Dwight Howard

Who Wins: Warriors in 4 games

2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 7. Memphis Grizzlies

Players to Watch: F Kawhi Leonard and F Zach Randolph

Who Wins: Spurs in 5 games

3. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 6. Dallas Mavericks

Players to Watch: F Kevin Durant and F Dirk Nowitzki

Who Wins: Thunder in 6 games

4. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 5. Portland Trail Blazers

Players to Watch: G Chris Paul and G Damian Lillard

Who Wins: Clippers in 7 games