Ranking each NBA first-round playoff series
The playoffs, in all their glory, are here. It doesn't feel like there are any sizable upsets brewing, but that doesn't mean that each series isn't compelling in its own right. Let's get to it.
8. Spurs-Grizzlies
The Walking Dead, err, Grizzlies lost 14 of their last 17 games, and at this point are a bunch of role players whose job is to give Zach Randolph the ball. Looking closer at the state of the Grizzlies, Xavier Munford and Jarell Martin each played significant minutes in Golden State’s record-breaking victory over Memphis on Wednesday. They’ve used an NBA record 28 players this season, half of them you’ve never heard of. Popovich and the Spurs won’t break a sweat.
7. Pacers-Raptors
Toronto had another stellar regular season, but history will tell you that means nothing. Consecutive first-round flameouts have lingered with the Raptors, and until they win a series with this core, it’s tough to believe they can make a deep run. Fortunately, the Pacers have been dependably inconsistent and are over-reliant on Paul George. Toronto has enough weapons to throw at George on the defensive end while still saving Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Speaking of Lowry, he’s got everything to prove. He averaged 12.3 points on 31% shooting last postseason. Give the Raptors, who’ve won seven of the last eight meetings between the teams, the sizable edge.
6. Cavs-Pistons
They have some history (hello, 2007!) but this is a mismatch in every sense. LeBron James is 10-0 in first-round matchups, and he has been playing like a man possessed. For the Cavs, though, this series is important. It’s no longer a trial run. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love got their first taste of the postseason last year, only to have injuries dismantle their title shot. The Cavs are seemingly whole, meaning LeBron doesn’t have to score the final 25 points of any playoff game. The Pistons have admitted they’re just happy to be in, since, you know, progress. But playoff LeBron is always worth watching even if the Pistons shouldn’t be more than a speedbump.
5. Heat-Hornets
Even without Chris Bosh, there was plenty of chatter that the Heat were the team most likely to knock out Cleveland. They play faster with Luol Deng at the four and Joe Johnson, their savvy buyout acquisition, has experienced a renaissance of sorts. But before discussing any eventual Cleveland scenarios, Miami must get past Charlotte, which feels like a team many are overlooking, sort of like that 3-14 matchup in the NCAA Tournament. They went 2-2 in the regular season with Kemba Walker averaging nearly 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. Jeremy Lin has had his moments as well, though it’s tough to see Dwyane Wade ceding any ground to these Hornets. With no vested interest, it’s always fun to see Hassan Whiteside smash an open layup into the fourth row.
4. Thunder-Mavericks
When is watching Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook ever a drag? Besides the fact that the Thunder’s future could be riding on their postseason performance, Westbrook could book a triple-double in the first quarter (not really … but maybe), have you seen Steven Adams’ mustache? It’s not to be missed, especially in HD. On the flip side, how many more times are we going to get to see Dirk Nowitzki lumber up the court in the postseason? The Mavericks don’t have the legs to keep up with the Thunder, but they’re still a top-10 offense. Plus, it’s always fun to see Mark Cuban rattle the referees.
3. Hawks-Celtics
If Warriors-Rockets showcases the new age, perimeter game of the NBA, then Hawks-Celtics will be the first-round retro series. Both defend, both share the ball, neither has much star power, but the quality of basketball should be excellent. The Hawks have come into their own, rediscovering the perimeter game that buoyed their ascent last season. And though they won’t guard each other, Paul Millsap and Isaiah Thomas get to decide which is the more underappreciated star. (Our money’s on Millsap, who averaged 22 and 10 vs. Boston this year, though we admit that part of the hope in picking him is so Thomas feels even more slighted). The Hawks are the perfect team to test the Celtics’ defense, which is generally something you don’t want to do. If nothing else grabs your attention, at least the basketball nerds can rejoice in the tactical adjustments from Mike Budenholzer and Brad Stevens.
2. Warriors-Rockets
The Rockets vastly underperformed this season. That much is indisputable. They’re also as talented as a top-4 team in the West, but if they couldn’t find consistent chemistry in the regular season, what’s to suggest they can against an all-time behemoth? James Harden might average 25 shots a game, Dwight Howard could do his damnedest to prove that centers aren’t a dying breed, but in all likelihood, it’s not going to matter against the whirling, churning Warriors offense. No current brand of basketball is as fun as what the Warriors play, and rather than simply steamrolling Houston, the Rockets at least have the offensive potential to keep games close – which is why it’s worth watching. That said, defensive ace Patrick Beverley can only cover so much ground. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes should spin the ball so quickly that Harden will have a built-in excuse not to play defense. But at least he could go for 50!
1. Blazers-Clippers
The Steph Curry effect is such that Portland, a team that lost four of its five starters and still safely made the postseason, hasn’t gotten its due. Damian Lillard has blossomed into a top-five point guard, capable of beating defenders off the dribble or burying it from deep (37%). His running-mate, C.J. McCollum, should win Most Improved Player. Pit these up-and-comers against a star-studded (yet flawed) Clippers team, and there’s a decent chance of an upset. While winning MVP was out of the question, Chris Paul generated some buzz over the last two months of the season, largely for how he held court while Blake Griffin was recovering from injury (re. punching a team manager). Griffin’s conditioning and jump shot are still significant questions heading into the postseason, but J.J. Redick and DeAndre Jordan have been rocks for the Clippers all season. There’s always the potential for a Jamal Crawford takeover, and it should be interesting to see how hack-a-DeAndre manifests, but regardless, no first-round series should be more entertaining. The Blazers weren’t supposed to be here, so they’re essentially playing with nothing to lose. Don’t discount that sizable chip on Dame’s shoulder.
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