The 2013-2014 NBA regular season has finally ended. In what seems to have been a long year, the important part has yet to begin. While 16 of the 30 teams are still in contention, the other 14 will focus this summer on how to rebuild. Three of those teams are the Lakers, Celtics and Knicks who all missed the playoffs this year making it the first time all three teams have missed the playoffs. The Bucks and 76ers meanwhile, had historically bad seasons and the Phoenix Suns missed the playoffs despite having the 11th best record in the league. The Cavaliers and Pistons missed the playoffs in the weak eastern conference despite the high hopes for both teams prior to the season. The Nuggets and Hornets experienced many injuries and were not able to overcome them in the strong western conference. The Jazz, Kings and Magic are all in full rebuilding mode and missed the playoffs this year too. For the Timberwolves another year of injuries and shortcomings blocked them from the playoffs and they continue to have the longest streak in the league of not making the playoffs.
Now that the playoff match-ups are set, I will give my predictions on who will win.
IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE.....
1. Indiana Pacers vs. 8. Atlanta Hawks - The Hawks are pretty fortunate to be in the playoffs. They have a losing record and have been terrible the last few months. The Pacers, despite struggling over the last couple of months were still able to hold off the Heat for the top spot in the east. The Pacers should have no problem winning this series in four or five games and if it takes more than that the Pacers should not expect to go too deep in the playoffs.
2. Miami Heat vs. 7. Charlotte Bobcats - The Bobcats have bounced back this year after two miserable seasons in large thanks to a new head coach Steve Clifford and bringing in center Al Jefferson. They will have their work cut out for them though having to face the two time defending champions. The Heat are hoping to start their playoff run by beating the Bobcats. The Heat have struggled lately, but should be able to find themselves as the playoffs start. The Bobcats could present a challenge though so I would not be surprised if the Bobcats take the Heat to 6 or 7 games.
3. Toronto Raptors vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets - The Raptors won their division and were very impressive throughout the season. Both Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan showed great improvement to lead them to the third seed. Meanwhile, the Nets overcame a terrible start to the season and had one of the league's best records over the last few months. This will be the closest series in the east in my opinion, but I believe the Raptors will come out on top.
4. Chicago Bulls vs. 5. Washington Wizards - The Washington Wizards were another team in the east that went from lottery to playoffs this season. The improvement of John Wall and solid play by Bradley Beal, Trevor Ariza, Marcin Gortat and others helped them finish as the 5th seed. The Bulls overcame another season ending injury to Derrick Rose and traded away their longest tenured player in Luol Deng and yet somehow continously got better over the season. Joakim Noah anchored the team's amazing defense and the overall chemistry led this team. While the Wizards have proven to be a good team I think the Bulls will still win this series. Their play as a team is something to think about.
IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE....
1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Dallas Mavericks - The Spurs are once again the best in the west. With the best coach in the league and a roster full of hardworking and talented players they rose to the top of the standings including a 19 game winning streak. The Mavericks had an up and down season and ended up falling to the 8th seed the last day of the season. The Mavericks are riding Dirk Nowitzki once again and fought their way to clinch a playoff spot. As good as the Mavericks have been, the Spurs will likely win this series easily. The Mavericks could push the series deep if they play at the top of their game, but this series will likely be over quickly seeing as the Mavericks did not beat the Spurs all season.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7. Memphis Grizzlies - The Thunder had another great season even while missing Russell Westbrook for about half of the season. Kevin Durant will likely win his first MVP award and deserves it after leading the Thunder all season long. The Grizzlies meanwhile were not in the playoff picture the first half of the season much of which Marc Gasol missed due to injury. Once he returned they played great basketball and ended up just grabbing the 7th seed. I believe this will be a close series, but the Thunder will end up winning. This is the kind of series that the team with the best player always wins and the Thunder want revenge after losing to the Grizzlies last year.
3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 6. Golden State Warriors - The Clippers finished with a franchise record in wins for the second straight year and with a new coach in Doc Rivers and a much improved Blake Griffin seemed destined for greatness in the near future. The Warriors had an up and down season and could be without stating center Andrew Bogut for the series. With the injury to Bogut and the Clippers overall depth will help them defeat the Warriors. I do not expect it to be a seven game series, but doubtfully a sweep as well.
4. Houston Rockets vs. 5. Portland Trail Blazers - The Rockets have lived up to their expectations and have been consistent throughout the season led by James Harden and Dwight Howard. The Trailblazers had one of the best starts of any teams this season and finished hot as well. Their starting five was able to stay healthy most of the season and played great together. I expect the Rockets to win mainly because the Trail Blazers have a very thin bench and any injury to their starters would end the series right away. I do not think this series will go very deep, but I could be wrong.
So I predict no upsets in the first round which does seem cliche', but the teams at the top of both conferences are very strong and look good heading into the playoffs. If my predictions are correct then in the second round it will be Pacers vs. Bulls and Heat vs. Raptors in the eastern conference in the second round and Spurs vs. Rockets and Thunder vs. Clippers in the second round. I will update my predictions after the first round is completed, but until then go CLIPPERS!!
