NBA Playoffs First Round Preview

The time has arrived. The big dance is here. Sixteen teams are still standing. When all is said and done in about two months time, somebody is going to walk away with the Larry O'Brien trophy as the best team in the NBA for the 2018 season. Every team has that dream when this 82 game journey started back in October, now there's only a select few who are left.  Over the next few months, we will determine who the best of the best for the 2017-18 season really is. A few teams made the playoffs this year that are worth noting. Its the first playoff appearance for the 76ers since 2012 and the best record they've had since 2001. This also ends a long drought for the Timberwolvces, who haven't made the playoffs since 2004. So enough with the fluff, lets get right into it. Here's how the opening round of the 2018 playoffs goes down!

First up is the top seeded Atlantic Division Champion Toronto Raptors taking on the 8th seeded Washington Wizards. This marks the 4th time in the last five seasons that the Wizards, who finished 2nd in the Southeast this year. Each of the last five years has brought on at least 40 wins for the Wizards, including 43 this year. The last three trips to the playoffs have produced opening round wins for the Wizards, who are now 89-124 lifetime in the playoffs. As for the Raptors, this marks five straight playoff appearances and four Atlantic Division titles in those five years. They've won at least 50 games now for the 3rd year in a row. Toronto has earned a victory in opening round series each of the last two years. Toronto is 28-44 lifetime in the playoffs. This marks the 2nd ever meeting between the two clubs in the playoffs, Washington won in a sweep in 2015. These two teams split the four regular season meetings this year.

Here's the dates and times for every game in this series:
April 14 5:30 PM Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
April 17 7:00 PM Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
April 20 8:00 PM Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
April 22 6:00 PM Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
April 25 TBD Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors* Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
April 27 TBD Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards* Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
April 29 TBD Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors* Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario

Toronto cooled off a little near the end of the season, but by that point it didn't really matter because they've been in sole possession of the top spot in the East for so long that it really wouldn't have mattered. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are still leading the charge for the boys north of the border, but its been a long time since they've had this kind of talent surrounding them. Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas have been major assets for the Raptors all year and have been major factors to this Raptors team sitting where they do in the East. This team is  built for the playoffs, they are deep and know how to spread around the wealth. Toronto has the starters, they have the depth, they may very well have what it takes for a deep playoff run this year. They got a taste of the sweet life two years ago, they want to get back to it this year.

Washington, on the other hand, not so much in the way of having to offer. Sure, they've got John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr. who make for a formidable triumvirate. Getting John Wall back and healthy could make them a dangerous basketball team. Hell this starting five in DC is playoff tested, they know what its like to tangle this time of year, something that could be a big factor for them. But a question still remains. Behind the big three that the Wizards have, how well can Kelly Oubre Jr. and Markieff Morris produce under pressure? Do they have enough to be able to pull off a first round upset?

Logic here says no. Don't get me wrong, Washington has a good basketball team I'm not taking anything away from them. The thing is they are going to be outmaned and outplayed in this series. Toronto is just too deep and too good a basketball team to really be beaten. This should be an easy series.

Prediction: Raptors in 4!

Next up is the 2nd seeded Boston Celtics taking on the 7th seeded Milwaukee Bucks. This marks the 2nd straight year and 4th time in the last seven years for the Bucks in making the playoffs. Winning 44 games is the highest win total for Milwaukee since 2010. The Bucks are looking for their first playoff series win since 2001. Milwaukee is 108-126 lifetime in the playoffs. As for Boston, this is the 4th straight year and tenth time in the last eleven years that they are in the playoffs. Winning 55 games this year is the highest total that the Celtics have had since 2011. After making the Eastern Conference Finals a season ago, Boston is looking to get back there again this year. Boston is 349-263 lifetime in the playoffs. This marks the 6th ever meeting in the playoffs between the two teams, with Boston winning four of the previous series.

Here's the dates and times for every game in this series:
April 15 1:00 PM Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
April 17 8:00 PM Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
April 20 9:30 PM Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 22 1:00 PM Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 24 TBD Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics* TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
April 26 TBD Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks* Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 28 TBD Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics* TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

Not having Kyrie Irving, in this series changes the dynamic for the Celtics in this series. They've also been without Gordon Hayward all year because of the ankle injury on opening night. But there's still plenty of depth to go around in Boston. Think about how deep this team is. Boston still has Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier. All solid players but they can't match the level that Kyrie was at. He was averaging over 24 points a game. Boston played under .500 ball the final six games of the year, including losing their last three road games, so that will make things a little interesting when they have to travel to Milwaukee in this series. What's really going to help out Boston is their depth and defensive abilities in this series.

Lets not take anything away from what the Bucks have been able to do this year. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the Bucks best player, averaging almost 27 points a game. Khris Middleton has also been a big factor for the Bucks, averaging just over 20 points a game. Him and Jabari Parker are both going to be counted on to have big series if the Bucks wanna stand a chance at pulling off the upset against Boston. It seemed that Milwaukee seemed to start to turn the corner in the middle of January when they fired Jason Kidd and replaced him with Joe Prunty, so it seems as if the coaching change may have been the spark the club needed. In a series like this, its going to be up to Middleton, Eric Bledsoe and Jabari Parker to step their game up and really help out Antetokounmpo.

Boston dealing with Irving's injury is going to be critical in this series. I think the depth here is what will help get Boston to the next level. Not to take away from anything that the Bucks have done over the course of this season, but it took them a little while to get the mojo working on the year. Boston has proven that they are deep enough to be able to play, and win, without Kyrie.

Prediction: Celtics in 5!

Next we have the 3rd seeded Philadelphia 76ers going against the 6th seeded Miami Heat. The 76ers come into the playoffs with 52 wins, the most they've picked up in a season since 2001. This marks the first playoff appearance for the 76ers since 2012. Philly is looking for its first playoff series win since 2012. The 76ers are 217-205 lifetime in the playoffs. As for the Heat, they won 44 games, the third straight year that the Heat have won 40 or more games. It marks the 2nd time in the last four years, and eighth time in ten years that Miami has made the playoffs, a year after the Heat missed the post season. Miami is looking to get its first win in the playoffs since 2016. Miami is 123-96 lifetime in the playoffs. This marks the 2nd ever meeting between the teams in the playoffs, as Miami won the only other meeting between the teams in 2011. During the regular season, the teams split the four meetings, with the home team winning every meeting.

Here's the dates and times for every game in this series:
April 14 8:00 PM Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 16 8:00 PM Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 19 7:00 PM Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
April 21 2:30 PM Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
April 24 TBD Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers* Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 26 TBD Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat* American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
April 28 TBD Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers* Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

At long last, the process has started to play off, the 76ers are back in the playoffs. This was a team who two years ago won just ten games. You read that right, ten wins for Philly two years ago. Now they have a core that they can really rely on and run with. Joel Embiid has been as advertised and better. He's averaged almost 23 points a game this year, showing why he's one of the best young talents in all of basketball. Ben Simmonds has been outstanding in his rookie year, contributing almost 16 points a game as well. Throw in a veteran presence like J.J. Reddick, and you got something that can really get a team going. Philadelphia is an up tempo basketball team and to be a success in the playoffs, they need to keep that pace going.

Miami is at the other end of the spectrum as far as pace of play, they like to slow things down. Miami doesn't have a ton of scoring power, meaning they don't have anybody who averages over 20 a game. Goran Dragic leads the way a little over 17 a game. He's not alone though, as Dion Waiters and Hassan Whiteside also average over 14 a game. Those three are the keys that make the car move. What makes a difference is, if those three guys don't have a solid night in some way shape or form, then the Heat won't be going anywhere. Sure, Dwayne Wade has been finding his footing again now that he's back in Miami. He's nowhere near at the level he was his first go around with the Heat, but if can get that old spark back and get rolling, then the Heat may have a chance.

Miami can't be taken lightly, they have a battle tested leader. At the end of the day though, its the depth that wins out in this series. Philadelphia is deep, young and ready to rock and roll. Miami is going to take a game or two in this series, but the 76ers have this series.

Prediction: 76ers in 6!

Finally, we have the 4th seeded Cleveland Cavliers taking on the 5th seeded Indiana Pacers. Cleveland is the three time defending Eastern Conference Champions, having won 50 games this year. Its the fourth straight year that the Cavs have won at least 50 games. Cleveland hasn't had a first round playoff exit since 1998. The Cavs are 100-89 lifetime in the playoffs. Indiana is in the playoffs for the 3rd year in a row and 7th time in the last eight years. Their 48 wins this season are the most they've had since 2014. Indian is looking to get its first series win in the playoffs since 2014. Indiana is 181-160 lifetime in the playoffs. This marks the 3rd ever meeting between the teams, with the two splitting the prior meetings. Indiana won three of the four meetings between the teams during the regular season.

Here's the dates and times of every game in this series:
April 15 3:30 PM Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
April 18 7:00 PM Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
April 20 7:00 PM Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
April 22 8:30 PM Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
April 25 TBD Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers* Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
April 27 TBD Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers* Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
April 29 TBD Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers* Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

Its no secret that the best overall player in basketball still resides in Cleveland. As long as the Cavs still have LeBron James, they will always have a chance to stay in and win a series. In fact, during his career, LeBron has never experienced a first round series loss, and as a matter of fact, has only had to go six games twice in the opening round. It just seems like the supporting cast this year in Cleveland isn't as good as it has been in years past. Sure Kevin Love is still there to help out the King. Upper management tried brining in veterans like Dwayne Wade and young guns like Isiah Thomas and it didn't work helping out the Cavs. Bringing in Rodney Hood, Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson at the trade deadline helped with the depth, but the three of them have a combined 11 career playoff games. If Cleveland wants to get to the next round, they need to step their games up bigtime.

Indiana has some studs that they could really work well with for quite some time. Victor Oladipo had himself a fine season, being the only Pacers player to average more then 20 points on the year, while Thaddeus Young, Darren Collison, Myles Turner and Bojan Bogdanovic have all played high-quality basketball. All of them have hit double digits in points, on average, for the season, which makes this a potential threat to the Cavs. Indiana had a great year and came just short of earning home court advantage in this series. They have a solid, balanced team that could give Cleveland a run for its money.

Indiana may have a good team, but as we have seen in the past that when LeBron wants something, he has no problem willing his team to victory. He does that again here. Indiana has a solid team, can't take that away from them. Cleveland hasn't lost in the first round with Lebron in the lineup, that doesn't start here.

Prediction: Cleveland in 6!

Now to the Western Conference, its the top seeded Houston Rockets taking on the 8th seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. With 65 wins during the regular season, Houston had the best record in the entire league. Those 65 wins are the most the franchise has ever had, and the 6th straight year they've won more then 50 games. It also marks the 6th straight playoff appearance for the club. Each of the last two years, Houston has won its opening round matchup. The Rockets are 136-146 lifetime in the playoffs. Minnesota finished the season with 47 wins, the highest total for the club since 2004. Minnesota hasn't made the playoffs since 2004 and have won 40 or more games three times since then, including this year. 2004 was also the last time that the Timberwolves won a playoff series. Minnesota is 17-30 lifetime in the playoffs. This is the 2nd ever playoff series between the two teams, with Houston sweeping Minnesota in 1997. Houston won all four meetings between the two teams during the regular season.

Here's the dates and times of every game in this series:
April 15 9:00 pm Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
April 18 9:30 pm Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
April 21 7:30 pm Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 23 8:00 pm Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 25 TBD  Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets* Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
April 27 TBD Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves* Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 29 TBD Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets* Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

There's no denying the fact that the Rockets were the best team in the league. They re-wrote the team record books and a lot of it had to do with the play of Chris Paul and potential league MVP James Harden. Harden averaged a shade over 30 points a game during the regular season, playing at a level that was head and shoulders above the rest of the league. With the type of season that he's had, and with the season that the Rockets have had. Some had wondered if Harden and Paul could play well together, and that has been answered this year.Paul averaged a shade over 18 points a game while playing less then 60 games. Eric Gordon, Gerald Green, and Trevor Ariza have all been contributing factors, so its not just James Harden. Harden has been a huge factor, no doubt, but tehre's more to it then just a one man show.

Minnesota is no slouch. Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns both averaged over 20 points a game. But Towns and Andrew Wiggns have had a ltitle trouble developing the way head coach Tom Thibodeau would have liked, at least that's how it appears depending on who you talk to. Still those guys have been productive, as has Andrew Wiggins, Jeff Teague, and Taj Gibson. So things have balanced out for the starting five in Minnesota. One knock that could be made about the Timberwolves is their defense, its been their primary weakness. They were middle of the pack during the regular season, at best, as a defensive team. With everything been thrown into the mix for Minnesota, having made the playoffs for the first time in fourteen years is a sight for sore eyes for the Timberwolves and their fans.

That being said, this is going to be a tough matchup for Minnesota. Having an average defensive team and going up against the best team in the league is going to make for a quick series. Minnesota will be lucky if they get a game at home. Houston starts the march to the finals off the right way.

Prediction: Rockets in 5!

Next its the 2nd seeded Golden State Warriors taking on the 7th seeded San Antonio Spurs. Golden State won 67 games to make the playoffs for the 6th year in a row. This also marks the 5th straight year of 50 or more wins for the Warriors. Golden State has gotten first round victories in each of the last three years and four out of the last five playoff appearances. The Warriors are 161-146 lifetime in the playoffs. San Antonio won 47 games this year, the first time they have failed to win more then 50 games in a full season since 1997. That year was also the last time that the Spurs missed the playoffs. San Antonio had managed to be able to get a first round win in each of the last two seasons. The Spurs are 200-158 lifetime in the playoffs. This marks the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Warriors winning two of the first three meetings. Golden State won three of the four meetings between these teams during the regular season.

\Here's the dates and time of every game in this series:
April 14 3:00 pm San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
April 16 10:30 pm San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
April 19 9:30 pm Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
April 22 3:30 pm Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
April 24 TBD San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors* Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
April 26 TBD Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs* AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
April 28 TBD San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors* Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

Golden State has limped a little into the playoffs, losing 10 of its last 17 games. Not having Stephen Curry there in the lineup has been a bit of a pain for the Champs. Curry has been out with an MCL sprain. Before the injury, Curry was averaging over 26 points a game. Same thing with Kevin Durant. Rounding out the 20 point scorers for the Warriors was Klay Thompson, who averaged just over 20 a game. Throw in Draymond Green with this team, and you see the balance they have out West. Golden State also has one of the better benches in Basketball. Not having Curry dressed for this round does change the dynamic for the Warriors. Only surprising wonder is that Golden State is 17-14 when Curry isn't in the lineup, as compared to 40-10 when he's on the floor.

While Golden State is playing without their best player, so are the Spurs. Kawhi Leonard has played only nine games all year. Fans have been calling for Leonard to get back in uniform, but that's not possible. So With Leonard not there, LaMarcus Aldridge has really stepped his game up. He has been deserving of being included in the MVP conversation this season, becoming the only Spurs player to average over 20 points a game on the season. Rudy Gay, Pau Gasol, and Patty Mills were the only other Spurs players to average over double digits in points this season.

This would have been a prime matchup had the Spurs not gone downhill. No doubt that San Antonio is a solid team, but may not have enough. Head coach Gregg Popovich will milk as much production from his troops as humanly possible, but San Antonio is outclassed without Kawhi Leonard.

Prediction: Warriors in 5!

Next its the 3rd seeded Portland Trail Blazers taking on the 6th seeded New Orleans Pelicans. Portland won 49 games this year, its highest win total since 2015. This marks the 5th straight year that the Trail Blazers are in the playoffs. Portland is looking to win its opening round matchup for the 2nd year in a row. Portland is 107-132 lifetime in the playoffs. New Orleans won 48 games this year, the 3rd highest win total the team has ever had. This year will mark the 7th time ever that the Pelicans have made the playoffs. New Orleans has only one playoff series win in franchise history, that coming in the opening round in 2008. New Orleans is 15-25 lifetime in the playoffs. This is the first ever playoff meeting between the two teams. Both teams split the four meetings during the regular season

Here's the dates and times of every game in this series:
April 14 10:30 pm New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
April 17 10:30 pm New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
April 19 9:00 pm Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
April 21 5:00 pm Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
April 24 TBD New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers* Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
April 26 TBD Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans* Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
April 28 TBD New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers* Moda Center, Portland, Oregon

Anthony Davis is fired up beyond belief, getting his first shot at playing playoff basketball. He lead the team with just over 28 points a game. He's not the only one hitting that high water mark. DeMarcus Cousins averaged just over 25 points a game this year, to help Davis lead the charge. Jrue Holiday was also an impact for New Orleans, hitting right at 19 points a game. When Cousins went down with the injury, Davis and Holiday have stepped their game up. Holidays play is going to be critical in the defensive game against Portland in this series.

Portland has its big guns ready to go in this series. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are going to be counted on bigtime for this series. McCollum averaged 19 a game and Lillard averaged 18 a game. There's nobody else on this team that's averaging over 15 a game, which makes it even more impressive that Portland won 49 games and finished in 3rd.

This is the toughest first-round matchup to pick in either conference, but let's take the team with the best player (Davis) and an underrated supporting cast that's coming into its own at the right time.

Predictions: Pelicans in 7!

Finally, its the 4th seeded Oklahoma City Thunder taking on the 5th seeded Utah Jazz. Oklahoma City 48 games this year, marking it the 9th straight year that they've won over 40 games. Oklahoma City has made the playoffs eight out of the ten years they have been in the city and have gotten out of the first round in every year except two. OKC is 39-34 lifetime in the playoffs. Utah also won 48 games this year, making it the 3rd year in a row that they've won 40 or more games. This is also the 2nd straight year that the Jazz have made the playoffs. Utah is looking to win a round in the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row. Utah is 118-134 lifetime in the post season. This is the fifth playoff meeting between the SuperSonics/Thunder franchise and the Jazz, but the first since the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder in 2008. the two teams have split their previous four playoff matchup. Oklahoma City won three of the four regular season meetings between these two teams.

Here's the dates and times for every game in this series:
April 15 6:30 PM Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
April 18 8:00 PM Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
April 21 10:00 PM Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
April 23 10:30 PM Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
 April 25 TBD Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder* Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
April 27 TBD Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz* Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
April 29 TBD Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder* Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Russell Westbrook has had another fantastic season, averaging over 25 pints a game. He had plenty of help from Paul George and in a lesser role, Carmelo Anthony.Lets not forget that George is still a superstar, capable of dominating a game offensively or defensively. Same thing with Melo, who has proven in the past that he is one of the best shooters in the game today. There's still something left in the tank and Melo can try and prove that he really knows how to be able to play a fantastic supporting role in this series.

Lets not rule out the Jazz, who have gone 17-4 down the stretch to close out the regular season. Donovan Mitchell was the leader on this team, averaging over 25 points a game for the year. He wasn't the only one producing in Utah this year, as Rodney Hood, Rudy Gobert, and Ricky Rubio have all been picking up the play and helping out Mitchell this season.

But you need a top-tier offense to have a chance against the crescendoing Jazz, and the Thunder don't boast one. The scores in this series figure to be rather low, which plays right into Utah's hands.

Prediction: Jazz in 7!