2014-2015 NBA Playoffs Round 2

East:

5. Wizards over 1. Hawks in 6 games

-The Hawks have started to straighten it out, but if you can’t guard the Nets the Wizards aren’t going to be a reprieve. The offense the Wizards ran this year was painful to watch and disciplined defense by the Hawks will handle it very easily. However, the Wizards aren’t running that offense. They have spent far more time with only Gortat or Nene on the floor and Porter/Pierce as the forwards. This lineup is not only effective offensively; it nicely matches up with the Hawks. The Wizards are rested, have the best player in the series in John Wall (Horford is almost as good, but not nearly as dynamic and is hurt right now), and generally have the look of a young team coming together. I also think Bradley Beal breaks through in this series.

3. Bulls over 2. Cavs in 6 games

-This is when I have to take a step back and say “Do I think this will happen or do I want this to happen?”. I think Chicago wins this and there is solid logic behind it. The Bulls are better at 3 positions, and Rose at anywhere near 90% can play Kyrie hard. Lebron either A. plays the 3 and leaves the spacing horrid for the Cavs or B. Plays the 4 and has to spend the series rough against Gibson, Noah, or Mirotic. The Bulls have a better bench (with JR out for 2 games and Tristan now a starter), and a better coach. Momentum (I know, that word is dangerous) is on the Bulls’ side. They finally got their offense together at the end of the Milwaukee series, and the Cavs are reeling from suspensions and injuries.  

West:

1. Dubs over 5. Grizz in 5 games

-Let’s get this done right off the start: The Grizzlies will kill the Warriors at the 4-5 positions. However, the Warriors are going to kill the Grizzlies literally everywhere else. Shooting, loose balls, passing, fast break points, second chance points, penetration by guards. Curry and Klay are going to outclass the Memphis backcourt even if Conley plays. Really, this shouldn’t be close.

2. Rockets over 3. Clippers in 7 games

-The Clippers will be a bit too beat up and emotionally drained to win this. If Chris Paul does miss at least the first game, the Rockets will get rolling and really put the pressure on the Clippers. I wouldn’t have picked this without the reemergence of Dwight, but that makes a huge difference in this series. Harden will accumulate a lot of fouls and lead them to a tight series victory.

Title Picture:

-My Spurs went down, but as first round defeats go that was an honorable one. The Clippers can’t do this four times, so I’d eliminate down to the Warriors, Bulls, and Cavs (Memphis if Conley is able to go). Warriors would now be my favorite, and probably now have the best coach left.