How the west and the east are won
After what seemed like an incredibly long regular season (oh yeah, this is what a full season feels like), we've made it to the time of year everyone loves: Playoff season. Though the regular season was one to remember, the fact is, no one cares about streaks and trades when it comes to chasing a title. Here is a quick look at the current first round matchups and the action we have seen so far.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
While 1-seed vs. 8-seed matchups aren't always spectacular, what makes this one special is the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder are now seeing if their pre-season jettison of James “The Beard,” Harden was worth avoiding a little luxury tax in 2014. Though the Rockets are currently looking overmatched, Harden hasn't slipped up. Harden is the heart and soul of Houston, and playing against him hasn't been a walk in the park for OKC. The real point of interest in this match up may be the loss of starting PG Russell Westbrook in game 2. The Thunder lead 2-0 currently.
Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks
While Tweets from a one Brandon Jennings tried to make this series interesting, the fact is, the Heat are too good and too strong to loose to the 8-seeded Bucks. While it is going to take a healthy Big Three to repeat their title run, this series is going to be a cakewalk for the Heat. The Heat 2-0 lead will quickly turn into 4-0 or 4-1 to finish the series.
San Antonia Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers
As memorable as this matchup has been in the past, the fact is, the Lakers are banged up and far from a title contender. The Spurs, with a rejuvenated Tim Duncun and Manu Ginboli, are a force to be reckoned with. Add that to the fact that PG Tony Parker is feeling healthy and starting to play scary-good basketball, doesn't bode well for the Lakers. The injury of Metta World Peace only adds insult to injury. While the Spurs will definitely win this series (up 3-0), the question is if they can also win out in the west.
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics
While the Boston Celtics seem to always to make a deep playoff run, this season may be different. In fact, the Knicks/Celtics match up may be the exact opposite of the year before. With the Celtics manhandling the Knicks last season, the series currently stands at 3-0 to the Knicks. Melo has been playing inspired ball, JR Smith is playing out of his mind, and the Celtics don’t seem to have an answer. While Pierce and Garnett have been the staples of Celtics basketball in the current era, the departure of their fellow Big Three member, Ray Allen, and the injury to Rondo may spell the end of the era for this Celtic make up.
Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors
In what could be the most fast-paced matchup in the playoffs, the Nuggets and Warriors are looking to make it a series. While the Nuggets had one of the best finishes in the league, the injury to Danilo Gallinari left the nuggets less dangerous than before. This was definitely a hit to their playoff run, but with one of the deepest teams the NBA has to offer, the Nuggets are thought to still be able to make a run.
While many thought Golden State would be the easiest first round match up (besides the ailing Lakers) PG Stephan Curry begs to differ. Curry ended the regular season by breaking Ray Allen’s NBA three-point record for most in a season, and has been shooting at an unseen clip through the first three games of the series. While a tweak to his ankle in game two was a scare, and the loss of David lee seemed devastating, the Warriors are now up 2-1 on the Nuggets. The series looks to be a battle that could easily go seven games.
Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks
I don’t know how to put this, but the fact is, this isn't a very exciting series. In fact, it is so uninteresting to fans outside of Atlanta or Indiana that it doesn't even get televised. The Pacers are a better team, and though the Hawks can put up a fight, the series doesn't bring much to a casual fan. The Pacers are currently up 2-0.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
While the race to playoff seeds was an exciting one, Chris Paul and the Clippers are making this look like a one-team show. Marc Gasol is playing inspired ball, but the Clips are showing that they are the team to beat in Los Angeles and a possible title contender. The Clips are up 2-0 on Memphis. Is this their chance to avenge their early exit from the playoffs at the hands of the Griz last season?
Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls
While the Nets and the Bulls have both offered interesting story lines for the regular season, with Derick Rose out, Noah hurting and neither team looking like a threat to dethroning Miami, this series almost seems inconsequential. Both teams have the ability to make a ruckus in the playoffs, but with injuries and lacking star power, neither team is really one to watch beyond the first and second round. The series is now tied at a game apiece.
Enjoy the playoffs as we make it closer to the second round!
Photos courtesy of Bleacher Report and Wordpress
