2016 NBA Playoffs Preview

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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

NBA Finals and Award Projections

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* – indicates playoffs

MVP – Anthony Davis – Pelicans

Rookie – Jahlil Okafor – 76ers

Coach – Fred Hoiberg – Bulls

Defensive Player – DeAndre Jordan – Clippers

Most Improved – Paul George – Pacers

Sixth Man – Nikola Mirotic – Bulls

Executive – R.C. Buford – Spurs

Playoffs Continue reading

Northwest Division

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1. Oklahoma City Thunder

It will be pretty hard for a college head coach to mess this up.

2. Utah Jazz

Flying under the radar is exactly what they need to do.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves

Give them another year and they could be pushing the Thunder for the division title.

4. Portland Trail Blazers

A youth movement is taking place, but the pieces they added make sense.

5. Denver Nuggets

After a tumultuous season, Denver looks to rebound with a new coach. Continue reading

2015 NBA Playoffs Preview

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Eastern Conference

1. Atlanta Hawks vs. 8. Brooklyn Nets

Players to Watch: G Jeff Teague and G Deron Williams

Who Wins: Hawks in 5 games

2. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 7. Boston Celtics

Players to Watch: F Kevin Love and G Isaiah Thomas

Who Wins: Cavaliers in 5 games

3. Chicago Bulls vs. 6. Milwaukee Bucks

Players to Watch: G Derrick Rose and F Giannis Antetokounmpo

Who Wins: Bulls in 6 games

4. Toronto Raptors vs. 5. Washington Wizards

Players to Watch: G Kyle Lowry and G John Wall

Who Wins: Raptors in 7 games

Western Conference

1. Golden State Warriors vs. 8. New Orleans Pelicans

Players to Watch: G Klay Thompson and F Anthony Davis

Who Wins: Warriors in 5 games

2. Houston Rockets vs. 7. Dallas Mavericks

Players to Watch: C Dwight Howard and F Dirk Nowitzki

Who Wins: Rockets in 6 games

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 6. San Antonio Spurs

Players to Watch: F Blake Griffin and F Kawhi Leonard

Who Wins: Clippers in 7 games

4. Portland Trail Blazers vs. 5. Memphis Grizzlies

Players to Watch: G Damian Lillard and C Marc Gasol

Who Wins: Grizzlies in 6 games

NBA Finals and Awards Projections

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* – indicates playoffs

MVP – Chris Paul – Clippers

Rookie – Jabari Parker – Bucks

Coach – Randy Wittman – Wizards

Defensive Player – Andre Drummond – Pistons

Most Improved – Chris Bosh – Heat

Sixth Man – Isaiah Thomas – Suns

Executive – David Griffin – Cavaliers Continue reading