2015 NBA Playoff Preview

Well it's that time of the year again, the time that seems to last almost half the year; the NBA playoffs. It took until the very last game of the regular season to determine the match-ups, but each series is finally set with many surprises and story lines.
Eastern Conference Series
1. Atlanta Hawks vs. 8. Brooklyn Nets-The Nets looked like they didn't want to make the playoffs, but in the weak eastern conference they still made it despite finishing six games under .500. The Hawks meanwhile dominated the east all season and easily won the conference with their four all-stars. With such a contrast between the two teams, the Hawks should easily win this series despite struggling over the last couple of weeks. Hawks in 5 (or 6).
2. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 7. Boston Celtics-Lebron took the Cavaliers from the lottery to the number two spot in his first year back in Cleveland. Meanwhile, the Celtics finished the season strong and made the playoffs to surprise everyone. The Cavaliers have been so dominant recently that no one is giving the Celtics a chance to even win a few games. It would be a surprise if the Celtics won even one game. Cavs are looking for a championship and this is the first step. Cavaliers in 4.
3. Chicago Bulls vs. 6. Milwaukee Bucks-The Bulls are back and might have a healthy lineup for the first time in a long time soon. Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose and Mike Dunleavy have all missed large chunks of the season, but with Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol can together take this team far. Meanwhile, the Bucks were the worst team in the league last year and Jason Kidd's first year as coach of the team has helped them improve vastly. However, the Bucks are still a .500 team and have no chance to beat the Bulls as long as they are even semi-healthy. Bulls in 5.
4. Toronto Raptors vs. 5. Washington Wizards-The Raptors had yet another franchise best season thanks to a well rounded team led by Kyle Lowry. Meanwhile, the Wizards have a very deep team full of veterans and young stars such as Paul Pierce, Nene, Marcin Gortat, and Bradley Beal, Otto Porter and John Wall. This will be the closest series in the east and might go down to the wire. The Wizards have a good chance of pulling off the mini-upset and winning this series thanks to their young stars. Wizards in 7.

Western Conference Series
1. Golden State Warriors vs. 8. New Orleans Pelicans-The Warriors have been the best team in the league all year long and have shown no sign of slowing down. The Pelicans barely made it into the playoffs, but when healthy have a very strong roster. Anthony Davis has proven to be one of the best players in the world, and has a nice supporting cast of Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon, Omer Asik, Ryan Anderson and so on. But against the splash brothers in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson does not leave the Pelicans with much of a chance. There will be some nice highlights in the series, but it will probably not go too deep. Warriors in 5.
2. Houston Rockets vs. 7. Dallas Mavericks-The Rockets went from the fifth seed to second seed on the last night of the season. Meanwhile the Mavericks have been soul searching all season even with the midseason acquisition of Rajon Rondo. The Rockets have Dwight Howard back, but lost Patrick Beverley for the season. James Harden will lead Houston the best he can, but it will tough against Dirk Nowitzki, Monte Ellis, and the Mavericks. Rockets in 7.
3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 6. San Antonio Spurs-Who would believe that the last game of the season could cause a team to go from the second seed to the sixth seed? That happened to the Spurs and it is just the Clippers luck to have to play the defending champions in the first round of the playoffs. This is likely to be the closest series with the most story-lines. Will Chris Paul advance deep into the playoffs in his tenth season? Is Kawhi Leonard the best player on the Spurs? Will the Clippers bench hold up even with Jamal Crawford healthy? Is this the last of Tim Duncan in the NBA? All those to be answered in this amazing matchup that will likely have one team going very deep into the playoffs. Clippers in 7.
4. Portland Trail Blazers vs. 5. Memphis Grizzlies- The Trail Blazers are lucky to be division winners or else they would have ended up with the sixth seed. Both teams are going into the playoffs with injury problems. The Blazers lost Wesley Matthews for the season and have Nicolas Batum, Arron Afflalo, C.J. McCollum, and Chris Kaman hurt. The Grizzlies have played without Mike Conley and Tony Allen recently, but expect them back. Whoever is healthier will likely win this series, which looks like it will be Memphis. Home court will help them as well. Grizzlies in 6.

Based on the first round predictions here are my second round predictions, which will be updated if needed after the first round.
1. Golden State Warriors vs. 5. Memphis Grizzlies- Warriors will win this one but it will be a little harder.
2. Houston Rockets vs. 3. Los Angeles Clippers- Clippers will have an easier time in the second round despite being the road team. Clippers
1. Atlanta Hawks vs. 5. Washington Wizards-I really think Washington can defeat Atlanta and if Atlanta has a tough time in the first round, the Wizards will be the favorite in the second round.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 3. Chicago Bulls-After a easy first round the Cavs will be tested by the Bulls, but will still end up coming out on top. It will likely be a long series though. Cavaliers

1. Golden State Warriors vs. 3. Los Angeles Clippers-Warriors will get their rematch in the conference finals and have home court advantage this time which will put them over the top against the Clippers and help them reach the Finals. Warriors
2. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5. Washington Wizards-The Wizards will have made it farther than expected, but they do not have enough to beat the Cavs. This series will be easier for Cleveland than the previous one, so they should win without too much difficulty.

1. Golden State Warriors vs. 2. Cleveland Cavaliers-This is the finals matchup most people are probably expecting at this point so it is a safe pick. However, can Lebron win another finals or will the Curry era in the NBA officially begin? I think it will be very close but the Cavaliers will win their first championship and Lebron will be even a more celebrated NBA legend.