All
30 teams come into a season with one dream. Hoisting up the Larry O’Brien
Trophy. Only 16 teams end up with that chance. Some teams have a legitimate
chance. To other, getting into the postseason is a major accomplishment,
especially when you have not been there for a while. One team if they are
lucky, will have a chance to win another title, which is the case this season.
There are a few teams though that would like to put an end to that dream. Here
is my preview and predictions for the opening round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs
Eastern
Conference
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Detroit
Pistons
(57-25)
(44-38)
Pistons
won season series 3-1
Nine
years ago, a young up and coming LeBron James introduced himself to the NBA
world as the best player in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals when he
scored 25 straight points and 29 of the last 30 in leading the Cleveland
Cavaliers to a 109-107 victory in double overtime at the Detroit Pistons that
gave them a 3-2 lead and they won the series in six games victory over the six
time. Two years later, the Cavs swept the Pistons in the opening round, which
is the last time the Pistons made the playoffs.
They
meet again in the opening round this year and the Cavs just like back then are
on a mission to capture the first NBA title in franchise history and the first
pro sports title in Northeast Ohio since the Browns won an NFL title in 1960.
Despite
winning 57 games for the third time in franchise history, it has not been an
easy season for the defending East champs.
They
fired then head coach David Blatt despite winning 30 games in 41 chances and
replaced him with Tyronn Lue, who basically had a similar record going 27-14.
James
(25.3 ppg-3rd NBA, 7.4 rpg, 6.8 apg-Led team) at times this season
has been very distant from his teammates whether it is paling with the likes of
former teammate Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat or unfollowing his employer on
social media.
The
reality is that the Cavs despite having a great record, they did not play to
the level of a team wanting to win a championship.
On
top of that, the Cavs who are head and shoulders the most talented team in the
East did not clinch the No. 1 Seed until late the in the season.
The
trio of James, Kyrie Irving (19.6 ppg, 4.7 apg, 44.8 FG%) and Kevin Love (16.0
ppg, 9.9 rpg, 36.0 3-Pt.%) have been inconsistent in terms of playing at a high
level at the same time.
Along
with the “Big Three” playing at a high level, they need the likes of Tristan
Thompson (7.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg), Channing Frye (7.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 37.7 3-Pt.% in 26
games w/Cavs), Matthew Dellavedova (7.5 ppg, 4.4 apg, 41.0 3-Pt.%), Timofey
Mozgov, J.R. Smith (12.4 ppg, 40.4 3-Pt.%), Iman Shumpert and Richard Jefferson
to play their defined roles on the court consistently and never waiver from
them.
Their
opponent the Detroit Pistons are making their first postseason appearance in
seven years, led by their dynamic duo of All-Star center Andre Drummond (16.2
ppg, 14.8 rpg-Led NBA), who led the NBA in double-doubles with 66 and lead
guard Reggie Jackson (18.8 ppg, 6.2 apg 35.3 3-Pt.%), who closed the season
really well averaging 19.8 points and six assists the last 10 games of the
season.
The
rise of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (14.5 ppg, 1.5 spg) and the additions of
Tobias Harris (16.6 ppg, 6,2 rpg, 47.7 FG%, 37.5 3-Pt.%) at the trade deadline
and free agent from the summer Marcus Morris (14.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 36.2 3-Pt.%)
have made the Pistons starting five a potent group.
On
top of that, this is one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the NBA,
averaging a league best 12.5 per game, second in the league and they are No. 2
in average boards per game at 46.3. The Pistons were 36-15 this regular season
when they grab more rebounds than their opponent.
While
they are tied for 22nd in three-point percentage at 34.2 percent,
they made a franchise 740 triples, which toped last season’s 703 connections
from long range and shattering the prior record of 582 back in the 1996-97
season.
The
problem for the Pistons is their second unit of Aron Baynes (6.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg),
Anthony Tolliver, Steve Blake and rookie Stanley Johnson (8.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) is
mediocre and that is being kind.
Stan
Van Gundy though in just two seasons and turned the Pistons from a bottom
feeder team back into a playoff participant and in time maybe a title contender
like he did when he was lead man on the sidelines for the Orlando Magic.
This
is all about the Cavaliers and in the playoff career of James, whose teams are
10-0 in the opening round, compiling a 40-7 mark in the quarterfinals dating
back to 2006 and have won 13 straight in the first round dating back to 2012.
He is also peaking at the right moment with averages of 28.4 points, eight
boards and 8.5 assists while shooting 62.0 percent in his last 10 games.
Prediction:
Cavs in five games.
(4) Atlanta Hawks vs. (5) Boston Celtics
(48-34) (48-34)
Hawks
won season series 3-1
Nearly
three decades ago, an NBA classic played at the old Boston Garden took place
between the Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics. In Game 7 of the East Semis
on May 22, 1988, Hall of Famers Dominique Wilkins of the Hawks and Larry Bird
of the Celtics engaged in a once in a lifetime scoring duel that was
captivating for 48 minutes. In the end Wilkins had 47 points, but Bird had the
final say with 20 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter and the C’s beat the
Hawks in Game 7 118-116 to move on the East Finals, where they lost to the
Detroit Pistons.
They
renew acquaintances here in the 2016 postseason and this time around, no Hall
of Famers will be taking center stage, but what will be on display are two
teams with dynamic lead guards; that are fundamentally sound, especially at the
defensive end; their well-coached teams with the Hawks led by Mike Budenholzer
and Celtics led by Brad Stevens and they play as a cohesive unit.
Last
season was the best in Hawks history as they won 60 games and reached the Conference
Finals where their fairytale season ended in a four-game sweep by the Cavs.
The
back-to-back Southeast champs made it back to the postseason party for a ninth
straight season, the 2nd longest active streak in the league behind
the San Antonio Spurs, who will in the playoffs for a 19th
consecutive season and really played well against the Celtics in 2015-16.
While
an important piece in starting small forward DeMarre Carroll bolted in free
agency this past summer to the Toronto Raptors, his replacement Kent Bazemore
(11.6 points, 5.1 rpg, 35.7 3-Pt.%) had a breakout regular season and has been
a solid compliment to starting All-Star forward Paul Millsap (17.1 ppg, 9.0
rpg-Led team, 1.8 spg-Led team, 1.7 bpg-Led team), who had career-highs in
rebounds, assists, steals and blocks; starting center Al Horford (15.2 ppg, 7.3
rpg, 1.5 bpg) and starting lead guard Jeff Teague (15.7 ppg, 5.9 apg, 40.0
3-Pt.%-career-high) and his understudy Dennis Schroder (11.0 ppg-career-high,
4.4 apg-career-high).
The
Celtics boast an All-Star of their own in Isaiah Thomas (22.2 ppg-Led team, 6.2
apg-Led team, 35.9 3-Pt.%) who joined Hall of Famers Bird and John Havlicek as
the only players in team history to score 1,800 points and dish out 500 assists
in a season.
The
players surrounding Thomas are really solid in the likes of Jae Crowder (14.2
ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.7 spg-Led team) Avery Bradley (15.2 ppg, 1.5 spg, 36.1 3-Pt.%),
Marcus Smart (9.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 apg), Amir Johnson (7.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg),
Jared Sullinger (10.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg-Led team), Tyler Zeller, Evan Turner (10.5
ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.4 apg), Kelly Olynyk (10.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 45.5 FG%, 40.5 3-Pt.%)
and Jonas Jerebko.
For
the Hawks to win this series, they need Teague to play like he did to close the
season, where he averaged 20.6 points and nearly 6.5 assists in the final 10
games of the season. In the Hawks’ 118-107 win over the Celtics on Apr. 9,
Teague had 24 points with seven assists and five rebounds.
They
also need Horford and Millsap to be dominant like they were versus the C’s in
the regular season. Millsap averaged 22.5 points and 10.3 boards in the four
games, while Horford averaged 14.3 points and seven rebounds.
Consistent
scoring from Korver (9.2 ppg), who output was the lowest since his eighth
season in the league has increased his three-point percentage since the start
of the season to 42.3 percent after the All-Star break.
His
ability to shoot gives Teague room to operate on the perimeter and for Horford
and Millsap to have space to operate in the paint.
The
Hawks also need to take great care of the ball against a Celtics team that led
the league in force turnovers at 15.8 per contest and was second in steals per
contest at 9.2 per game.
On
top of that, they need consistent attack on both ends from Bazemore, Thabo Sefolosha
(6.4 ppg), who missed the playoffs a season ago because of injury and Kris
Humphries to be solid compliments to the other aforementioned Hawks.
For
the Celtics, their front court of Sullinger, Johnson, Olynyk and Zeller have to
provide a presence on both ends if the Celtics have a chance of winning this
series.
They
also have to finish games in better fashion. In their second matchup back on
Nov. 24, 2015 at Phillips Arena, the Hawks outscored the C’s 40-24 in the
fourth quarter to win going away 121-97. Their Dec. 18, 2015 clash at TD Garden
the Hawks outscored the Celtics again 38-28 in the final stanza to rally for a
109-101 win. The Hawks did it again in their Apr. 9 meeting outscoring the
Celtics 25-16 in the fourth turning a two-point lead after three quarters into
a 118-107 win.
Whichever
front court comes with it and which team closes well in this series will give
their team a major advantage.
Prediction:
Hawks in seven games.
(56-26) (45-37)
Raptors
won season series 3-1
It
has been 14 years since the team that goes by the mantra “We the North” won
their first and only playoff series when Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady led the
Raptors to 3-2 opening round series win versus the New York Knicks.
This
time around the back-to-back Atlantic Division champions and the No. 2 Seeded
Raptors, who won a franchise record 56 victories this season take on the
postseason seasoned Indiana Pacers, who are making their 21st
appearance in the playoffs since 1990, best in the East in that time span.
While
the Raptors have won more games in each of the last five seasons under head
coach Dwane Casey, the Raptors have flamed out in the opening round the last
two postseasons.
A
season ago, the Raptors faced the Washington Wizards, who they dominated in the
regular-seasons, but the Wizards used a three-point avalanche to knock the
Raptors out in a four-game sweep.
The
dynamic backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan managed just 20.3 and 12.3
points on 31.6 and 40.0 percent respectably from the field in the four games.
This
season, both came back with a major chip on their shoulder and the All-Star
backcourt averaged career-highs of of 21.2 and 23.5 points per contest
respectably.
The
Raptors also this past off-season went out and got some key veterans that added
some major toughness to the team in veteran forward Luis Scola (8.7 ppg, 4.7
rpg), fellow Canadian in guard Cory Joseph (8.5 ppg-career-high) and center
Bismack Biyombo (5.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.6 bpg-Led team) to go alongside Terrence
Ross (9.9 ppg, 38.6 3-Pt.%), James Johnson, Patrick Patterson (6.9 ppg, 4.3
rpg, 36.2 3-Pt.%) and Jonas Valanciunas (12.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg-Led team).
In
the off-season, they signed forward DeMarre Carroll (11.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 39.0
3-Pt.%) to add another defender on the perimeter and three-point shooter. A
knee injury curtailed his season, but it gave an opportunity to the second
round pick in this past June’s draft in Norman Powell and he really played well
to close the season scoring 8.1 points in March and 15.3 in April.
When
front court book ends David West and Roy Hibbert departed this past summer, the
Pacers decided to become a more up-tempo offensive team with All-Star forward
Paul George leading the charge.
George
played very well this season with a 23.1 scoring average, a career best along
with seven rebounds alternating time between playing small forward and power
forward this season. Not bad for a guy that had a gruesome leg injury last
season that cost him all but six games and was a major reason the Pacers missed
the playoffs last season.
While
the team played well to start the season, they went 7-8, 6-7 and 8-7 in
January, February and March, before winning seven of eight games in April to
solidify the No. 7 spot in the West.
The
reality, all the pressure is on the Raptors for them to win this series.
For
them to get this very visible monkey of their back, Lowry and DeRozan must play
well. That means they are in attack mode on offensive right from the start of
Game 1, which they have lost at the Air Canada Centre the last two seasons.
To
put this into perspective in terms of the play of DeRozan specifically, he
averaged 8.4 free throws attempts in the regular seasons this year, third in
the league. Last postseason against the Wizards, he shot 17 free throws in the
four-game sweep. Two years ago when the Raptors lost to the Brooklyn Nets,
DeRozan in the three wins 13 free throw attempts.
The
Raptors will also need for Valanciunas to play well for them and be a major
compliment to Ross, Patterson, Powell, Scola, Joseph. In two wins against the
Pacers, Valanciunas averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 boards.
For
the Pacers, George must lead the way. If he plays to the tune of 16.3 points on
30.8 percent shooting, which he averaged against the Raptors this season, this
will be a short series.
Getting
some scoring help from the likes of starting guard Monta Ellis, who averaged a
career-low 13.8 points and shot just 30.9 percent from three-point range, rookie
center Miles Turner (10.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg), forwards C.J. Miles (11.8 ppg, 36.7
3-Pt.%), Jordan Hill (8.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Lavoy Allen and center Ian Mahinmi
(9.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg), starting lead guard George Hill (12.1 ppg, 40.8 3-Pt.%) and
understudy Rodney Stuckey (8.9 ppg) will be a big help for the Pacers who this
season have had a hard time finding an offensive identity.
Prediction:
Raptors in seven.
(48-34) (48-34)
Season
series tied 2-2
After
four straight trips to The Finals, the Heat despite adding point guard Goran
Dragic at the trade deadline, the Heat missed out on the playoffs a season ago
The
Heat made it back to the playoffs after a one-year absence and they punched
their ticket despite perennial All-Star forward/center Chris Bosh on the shelf
since Feb. 9 because of issues with blood clots.
Since
the All-Star break, the Heat went 19-10 in large part to the addition of Joe
Johnson (13.4 ppg, 51.8 FG%, 41.7 3-Pt.% in 24 games w/Heat) of waivers back in
March. He was a major reason the Heat went from a team that scratched and
clawed to put points on the board to now they score at a high rate.
Johnson’s
play along with the continued emergence of center Hassan Whiteside (14.2 ppg,
11.8 rpg-3rd NBA, 3.7 bpg-Led NBA); the stellar play of Luol Deng
(12.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 45.5 FG%, 34.4 3-Pt.%), who has been starting at power
forward recently and the strong play off the bench from Gerald Green (8.9 ppg),
rookie Josh Richardson, who has averaged 10.2 points hitting 53.3 percent of
his three-pointers since the All-Star break; starting lead guard Goran Dragic
(14.1 ppg, 5.8 apg-Led team) has played solidly and rookie Justise Winslow (6.4
ppg, 5.2 rpg) and veteran forward/center Amar’e Stoudemire (5.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg)
have been solid.
For
the Hornets, their 48 victories are the most since 1999-00 season and they will
be making their second playoff appearance in the last three years under head
coach Steve Clifford.
Two
big reasons for their return to the playoffs is the emergence of Kemba Walker
who averaged career-highs in points (20.9), three-point percentage and
three-pointers made (182) and the team went from a the fourth worst three-point
shooting team in terms of makes last season to the fourth best in terms of
makes at 10.6 per game this past regular season.
The
additions of Nicolas Batum (14.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.8 apg, 34.8 3-Pt.%), Jeremy
Lin (11.7 ppg), Jeremy Lamb (8.8 ppg) rookie Frank Kaminsky (7.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg
and Courtney Lee (8.9 ppg, 39.2 3-Pt.%) at the trade deadline back in February
and stellar play from Marvin Williams (11.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg-career-high, 40.2
3-Pt.%-career-high) and Cody Zeller (8.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg) have helped the Hornets
play to overcome the loss of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who played just seven
games this season because of a bad shoulder that required season-ending surgery
and Al Jefferson (12.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg), who missed 34 games earlier this season
because of injury/suspension.
The
Hornets also are a team that maximizes their offensive opportunities as they
led the league in the fewest turnovers per game at 12.5 and since Mar. 1 give
up the basketball just 11.2 times per contest.
This
series comes down to whose can impose their will on the game.
The
Heat are the veteran team, with a mix of young players that play well beyond
their years. They also have the advantage of having a massive presence in the
paint in Whiteside. They also have two players who are more than capable in
closing an opponent in three-time NBA champion and perennial All-Star Dwyane
Wade (19.0 ppg, 4.6 apg), who averaged 16.0 ppg against the Hornets in the
regular season and Johnson. Combined they have played 239 career playoff games
and the entire Hornets roster has played in 237 playoff games total
Heat
head coach Erik Spoelstra will for sure be putting an emphasis for his team to
guard the three-point line in this series.
For
the Hornets, Walker must dominate on the perimeter like he did in the regular
season when he averaged 19.5 points, 5.3 boards and 5.3 assists hitting 43.5
percent of his triples and committing just 0.8 turnovers per game.
They
also need Batum and Williams to make the 11 three-point field goals like they
did against the Heat in the four-game regular season series.
Consistent
shooting on the perimeter will give room for Jefferson, who hopes to have a
better playoff series than he did two seasons back against the Heat where
seconds into Game 1 sustained a foot injury that limited him and the Hornets offensive
attack.
While
injuries have hampered Jefferson at times this season as he now comes off the
bench, he is still one of the best low post players at the offensive end and
should give a challenge to Whiteside and Stoudemire.
Prediction:
Heat in seven games.
Western
Conference
(73-9) (41-41)
Warriors
won series tied 3-0
Welcome
to the playoff rematch that no one expected so early in the process with the
defending champs and last season’s West runners up going in completely
different directions. One team made a lot of history in 2015-16, while the
other barely made it to the postseason.
The
Warriors won an NBA record 73 games, this season one better than the 1995-96
World Champion Chicago Bulls of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman,
head coach Phil Jackson and their now head coach Steve Kerr. Their 34 road wins
also set a new NBA record. They did not lose two-games in a row, a first in NBA
history and they did not lose to a team twice this season. They went 39-2 at
home for the second straight season and late into this season won 54 straight
games at Oracle Arena dating back to last season. They also set a record by
making 1,077 three-point field goals, a new NBA record.
Speaking
of three-point make, the soon to be back-to-back MVP Stephen Curry (30.1
ppg-Led NBA, 5.4 rpg, 6.7 apg, 2.1 spg-Led NBA) made an NBA record 402 triples,
setting a new NBA record. He became the seven player in NBA history to shoot
over 50 percent from the field at 50.4; over 40 percent from three-point
territory at 45.4 and 90 percent from the free throw line at 90.8 in the
regular season and he became just second guard to accomplish that since Michael
Jordan did it in 1991-92.
To
put how great the Warriors were from three-point range, Curry and fellow “Splash
Brother” Klay Thompson (22.1 ppg, 47.0 FG% 42.5 3-Pt.%) made a combined 678
triples in the regular season. That is more than 13 teams hit total this
season.
This
team is more than just the “Splash Brothers.” Draymond Green (14.0
ppg-career-high, 9.5 rpg-Led team, 7.4 apg-Led team, 1.5 spg) had a
career-season and finished second in the league in triple-doubles with 13,
which also set a new franchise record in a season.
Harrison
Barnes (11.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 38.3 3-Pt.%) had another great season and veterans
lke Andrew Bogut, Marreese Speights, Andre Iguodala, Festus Ezeli, Leandro
Barbosa, Shaun Livingston and Brandon Rush played their roles to perfection.
The
team did all of this, particularly in the early stages of the season without
their head coach Steve Kerr, who missed the first 43 games because of
complications from off-season back surgery.
That
all spells doom and gloom for a Houston Rockets team that has been inconsistent
from the get go. They fired head coach Kevin McHale after just 11 games, where
the team went 4-7. He was replaced by J.B. Bickerstaff, who was 37-34 to close
this season.
Their
defensive effort has been at times deplorable and for the life of me, Dwight
Howard (13.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg-3rd NBA, 1.6 bpg-Led team) was about as
utilized at the offensive end as an old school pencil sharpener in an elementary
school classroom.
Besides
prayer; the duo of Howard and James Harden (29.0 ppg-2nd NBA, 7.5
apg-Led team, 6.1 rpg, 1.7 spg) being the best players on the court; Golden
State’s starting quintet of Barnes, Green, Bogut, Curry and Thompson being
kidnapped and the role players of Trevor Ariza (12.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 37.1
3-Pt.%), Patrick Beverly (9.9 ppg, 40.0 3-Pt.%), Michael Beasley (12.8 ppg, 4.9
rpg), Corey Brewer (7.2 ppg), Clint Capela (7.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and Donatas
Motiejunas outplaying the Warriors secondary guys this series is the Warriors.
They
went as mentioned 3-0 in the regular season against the Rockets and dating back
to a season ago, they have won 11 of the last 12 meetings.
The
one close contest between the two this regular season was on New Year’s Eve
2015 when the Warriors escaped Texas with a 114-110 win with Harden scoring 30.
They Warriors handled the Rockets 112-92 at the Toyota Center on Oct. 30, 2015
and in their Feb. 9 meeting at Oracle Arena 123-110.
Prediction:
Warriors in four.
(4)
Los Angeles Clippers vs. (5) Portland Trail Blazers
(53-29) (44-38)
Clippers
won series tied 3-1
In
this first round tussle we have one team that had all the expectations
imaginable and the other had zero expectations. In fact the team with no
expectations was looked at as a team that would be in the draft lottery for the
next couple of seasons at least.
When
the Portland Trail Blazers saw 80 percent of their starting five of LaMarcus
Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs), Wesley Matthews (Dallas Mavericks), Robin Lopez
(New York Knicks) and Nicolas Batum (Charlotte Hornets) leave via free agency
or trades, the entire NBA world thought, they thought the best days of the face
of the franchise in lead guard Damian Lillard would be of pulling the team out
from the bottom of the NBA barrel.
That
was not the case thanks to Lillard (25.1 ppg-6th NBA, 6.8 apg, 37.5
3-Pt.%) and his backcourt mate C.J. McCollum (20.8 ppg, 44.8 FG%, 41.7 3-Pt.%),
who turned his postseason run a season ago into a breakout season.
New
additions Al-Farouq Aminu (10.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg 36.1 3-Pt.%), Mason Plumlee (9.1
ppg, 7.7 rpg-Led team), Gerald Henderson (8.7 ppg, 35.3 3-Pt.%), Ed Davis (6.5
ppg, 7.4 rpg),Maurice Harkless (6.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg), who has averaged 11.8 points
and 6.5 boards on 45.9 percent from the floor and 37.5 from three-point range
in April and the emergence of Allen Crabbe (10.3 ppg, 39.4 3-Pt.%) are huge
reasons the Trail Blazers went from being 11-20 to finishing the season 33-18
and moving from completely out of the playoff picture to the No. 5 spot in the
playoffs.
It
also put their head coach Terry Stotts in the running for Coach of the Year.
Their
reward, a matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers, who turned another solid
season into a fifth straight playoff appearance. This season was not an easy one
though for L.A.’s other team.
All-Star
forward Blake Griffin (21.4 ppg-Led team, 8.4 rpg, 4.9 apg) missed 45 games
because of a quad injury and a broken hand, which was the result of a fight
between him and the team’s assistant equipment manager, which also led to a
four-game suspension.
Griffin
managed to return this month and got a few games under his belt to try to get
in game shape. His best game of the five he played was on Apr. 10 versus the
Mavericks where he had 17 points, 11 boards and seven assists in 33 minutes as
the Clippers won 98-91.
The
Clippers managed to go 30-15 in Griffin’s absence thanks in large part because
of perennial All-Star lead guard Chris Paul (19.5 ppg, 10.0 apg-4th
NBA, 2.1 spg-3rd, NBA); center DeAndre Jordan (12.7 ppg, 13.8 rpg-2nd
NBA, 2.3 bpg-Led NBA, 70.3 FG%-Led NBA), who finished tied for fourth with 49
double-doubles; Sixth Man extraordinaire Jamal Crawford (14.2 ppg, 34.0 3-Pt.%)
and sharp shooter J.J. Redick (16.3 ppg), who shot career-highs percentages
from the field at 48.0 and from three-point range at 47.5 percent. He also tied
the Clippers season record with 200 made triples.
One
of the biggest things that the Clippers needed to fix this past off-season was
their bench. They thought they did that in signing Lance Stephenson and Josh
Smith. Those two did not pan out and they released Smith early in the season
and traded Stephenson and received Jeff Green in return at the trade deadline.
In
27 appearances with the Clippers, 17 of them off the bench, Green (10.9 ppg)
has been like he has for most of his career, particularly when he played for
head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers back with the Celtics steady, but he left you
wanting more.
He
has been though a better compliment to Paul, Redick, Griffin and Jordan and he
along with “Doc’s” son Austin (8.9 ppg), Wesley Johnson (6.9 ppg), Paul Pierce,
Cole Aldrich, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Pablo Prigioni have stabilized the
bench.
On
the surface, this is a matchup the Clippers should be able to handle the Trail
Blazers very easily in this series, especially because they defend what the
Trail Blazers do well.
The
Trail Blazers are the fourth best three-point shooting team in the league at
37.0 percent, which is tied with the Raptors. The Clippers are the fifth best
in the business at defending the three-point line giving up just 33.8 percent
to their opponent’s in the regular season.
On
the season, Lillard and McCollum average 45.8 points per game combined. In the
four-game series versus the Clippers, they averaged just 33.7 and shot just
32.4 and 38.6 from the field and 35.5 and 25.0 percent from the three-point
arc.
In
the Trail Blazers loan win against the Clippers 102-91 back on Nov. 20, 2015 at
the Moda Center, Lillard had 27 points and seven assists going 10 for 25 from
the field, including 4 for 10 from long range.
The
Clippers won the fourth and final meeting 96-94 thanks to a game-winning jumper
by Redick back on Mar. 24.
The
one advantage that the Trail Blazers do have is on the boards. The Clippers
despite having two of most athletics front court players in the league in
Griffin and Jordan are ranked just 25th in rebound differential at a
-4.7 and are 28th in giving up offensive boards per contest at 11.8.
The Trail Blazers on the other hand are 10th in the league in
rebound differential at +1.8 and only the Oklahoma City Thunder, Pistons and
Celtics get more second chances per game then the Trail Blazers at 11.6.
On
paper, this has a Clippers series win written all over it. The Trail Blazers
have shown us throughout this season that no matter who is in front of them on
the hardwood, they will bring it no matter what. They believe they can win even
if nobody else does.
Prediction:
Clippers in six
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Memphis Grizzlies
(67-15) (42-40)
Spurs
won series tied 4-0
The
Warriors have dominated the NBA headlines for much of this season and for good
reason. Not too far behind were the five-time champion Spurs, who set a
franchise record for wins; tied the 1985-86 World Champion Celtics for the best
regular season home mark at 40-1 at the AT&T Center. Dating back to last
season, they won 48 straight home games, 2nd best mark in league
history to the Warriors, going 39-0 this season. That streak ended on Apr. 10
when the Warriors beat them for their 72nd victory of the season
92-86.
LaMarcus
Aldridge (18.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 51.3 FG%) has been a huge addition and Kawhi
Leonard (21.2-Led team ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.8 spg, 50.6 FG%, 44.3 3-Pt.%-4th
NBA) has emerged as the Spurs best all-around player and one of the very best
in the league on both ends.
The
Spurs still have the “Big 3” of future Hall of Famer and former back-to-back
MVP Tim Duncan (8.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg), Manu Ginobili (9.6 ppg, 45.3 FG%, 39.1
3-Pt.%) and Tony Parker (11.9 ppg, 5.3 apg-Led Team, 49.3 FG%, 41.5 3-Pt.%) and
this is a time of the year they look forward to.
A
big reason for that is head coach and Coach of the Year candidate Gregg
Popovich has managed the “Big 3’s” minutes very while utilizing the entire
roster, which has allowed the likes of Kyle Anderson, Jonathon Simmons, rookie
Boban Marjanovic to get key minutes over the course of this season and it has
given the team more options to go along with the likes of Patty Mills (8.5 ppg,
38.4 3-Pt.%), Danny Green, new comer David West.
The
Spurs added even more depth and experience to the roster late this season with
the signings of guards Kevin Martin and Andre Miller off waivers.
For
the Memphis Grizzlies, it has been a long injury-plagued struggle which has
seen them play 28 different players this season, the most in NBA history.
To
put this in perspective, starting center Marc Gasol (16.6 ppg-Led team, 7.0
rpg, 3.8 apg) missed the final 30 games because of a broken bone in his right
foot he sustained back in February; starting lead guard Mike Conley (15.3 ppg,
6.1 apg-Led team) missed the final 20 games of the season because of Achilles
Tendinitis, missing a total of 26 games; guard Mario Chalmers (10.8 ppg, 3.8
apg, 1.5 spg in 55 games w/Grizzlies), who the team acquired early in the
season from the Heat tore his Achilles in March and the team needed to waive
him just to clear a spot on the roster; forward/center Brandan Wright and guard
Jordan have missed 70 and 80 games because of right MCL sprain and right knee
surgery respectably.
Even
some of the remaining healthy Grizzlies like Zach Randolph (15.3 ppg, 7.8
rpg-Led team), defensive ace Tony Allen (8.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.7 spg-Led team)
and Matt Barnes (10.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg) missed 14, 18 and six games because of
injury
The
midseason trade of Jeff Green brought them a jolt in the form of Lance
Stephenson (14.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg 47.4 FG%, 35.5 3-Pt.% in 26 games w/Grizzlies),
but 14 losses in their last 18 games took head coach Dave Joerger’s team from
the No. 5 Seed to the No. 7 Seed.
Yes
the injuries gave opportunity to the likes of Jordan Farmar (9.2 ppg, 35.6
3-Pt.%), JaMychal Green (7.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg), Xavier Munford (5.7 ppg, 39.1
3-Pt.%) and Jarell Martin (5.7 ppg), but facing the Spurs in the playoffs is a
complete different animal.
Prediction:
Spurs in four games.
(3) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (6)
Dallas Mavericks
(55-27) (42-40)
Thunder
won season series tied 4-0
When
you win 55 games in the regular season, especially under a first-year head
coach from the collegiate ranks that would make you one of the lead stories in
your sport. The Oklahoma City Thunder though did it in the shadows of the
defending champion Warriors winning an NBA record 73 games and the Spurs
winning 67 games.
With
that being said, this was a great season for the Thunder under first-year head
coach Billy Donovan, whose team is back in the playoffs after a one-year
absence.
He
inherited a team that is as talented as any in the league. At the top of that
talented food chain are Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Durant
(28.2 ppg-3rd NBA, 8.2 rpg, 5.0 apg, 50.5 FG%, 38.6 3-Pt.%), who
played in just 27 games a season ago because of injury, came back in a big way
this season. In fact he scored at least 20 points for the 63rd game
in a row, which tied future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant (2005-07) for the longest
such a long streak.
His
counterpart Russell Westbrook (23.5 ppg-8th NBA, 7.8 rpg, 10.4 apg-2nd
NBA, 2.0 spg-5th NBA) garnered 18 triple-doubles, which led the NBA.
Only the late Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlin with 31 in 1967-68 and 1966-67 with
22 had more triple-doubles in a season. He finished tied with Hall of Famer
Earvin “Magic” Johnson for third most in a season in NBA history with the
aforementioned number 18.
While
on the surface the Thunder had a great season, there were times this season
that they were vulnerable particularly in how they closed out games, which has
been an issue whether it has been under Donovan or former head coach Scott
Brooks.
After
the All-Star break, the Thunder were outscored by 50 points in the final stanza
and they were 3-12 in games within five points or less in the last five
minutes.
On
14 occasions this season, the Thunder had a lead in the fourth quarter of the
game and lost.
The
other big issue for the Thunder is the production of the supporting cast. Other
than Durant and Westbrook, Enes Kanter (12.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and Serge Ibaka
(12.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg 1.9 bpg-Led team) are the only other players who score in
double figures.
Talent
wise, the likes of Dion Waiters (9.8 ppg, 35.8 3-Pt.%), Steven Adams (8.0 ppg,
6.7 rpg), Randy Foye, rookie Cameron Payne, Anthony Morrow, Andre Roberson and
Kyle Singler are solid and at times have shown they are capable of playing
well.
For
the Thunder to be any kind of a threat this postseason, they must get
consistent production from this supporting cast and Durant and Westbrook must
make it a priority while being productive themselves.
They
will have a good chance to that against the Mavs who despite going 2-10 from
Mar. 3-27 made the postseason for the 15th time in the last 16
seasons. They punch their postseason ticket with seven wins in their last nine
games, which included a six-game winning streak from Mar. 28-Apr. 9.
Even
after 16 years of carrying the offensive load for the Mavericks, future Hall of
Famer Dirk Nowitzki (18.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg. 44.8 FG%, 36.8 3-Pt.%) is still at the
top of his game.
The
supporting cast around him though is not the same as in the past, especially
when the Mavs won it all in 2011.
Deron
Williams (14.1 ppg, 5.8 apg), Wesley Matthews (12.5 ppg, 36.0 3-Pt.%), J.J.
Barea (10.9 ppg, 38.5 3-Pt.%), Raymond Felton (9.5 ppg, 3.6 apg), ZaZa Pachulia
(8.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg) Devin Harris (7.6 ppg) and David Lee (8.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg in 25
games w/Mavs), who was claimed off waivers has had their moments, but not
enough to put them over the top against the best in the West.
While
the addition of Justin Anderson to the starting five has helped the Mavericks at
the defensive end, the team will have its struggles in this series at the
offensive end without Chandler Parsons (13.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 49.2 FG%, 41.4
3-Pt.%), who will miss the playoffs following knee surgery.
Five
years ago, these two teams met in the 2011 Western Conference Finals and the
Mavs on that in five on their way to winning as mentioned earlier their first
title beating the Heat in six games. The Thunder got their revenge in the First
Round one year later sweeping the Mavs in four games.
Head
coach Rick Carlisle will put together a game plan that will give the Mavericks
a chance to be in games, but in the end the Thunder have just too much for the
Mavs to deal with.
Prediction:
Thunder in five.
Information
and statistics are courtesy of www.nba.com
2016 playoff preview by John Schuhmann, Steve Aschburner, Ian Thomsen, Lang,
Whitaker, Shaun Powell, Scott Howard-Cooper, Fran Blinebury and Sekou Smith; www.espn.go.com/nba/standings/teams/statistics;
4/12/16 12:30 a.m. edition of “NBA Tonight” presented by Zales with Cassidy
Hubbarth and Tim Legler; 4/14/16 7 p.m. edition of NBATV’s “The Starters: 2016
NBA Playoff Preview,” wit Tas Melas, J.E. Skeets, Leigh Ellis and Trey Kerby;
4/14/16 8 p.m. NBATV’s Eastern Conference Playoff Preview with Matt Winer,
Steve Smith and Vinny Del Negro and 4/14/16 Western Conference Playoff Preview with
Vince Cellini, Dennis Scott and Vinny Del Negro.
No comments:
Post a Comment