The 2014 NBA Playoffs

The 2014 NBA Playoffs 

04-19-14

It's officially playoff time! NBA Basketball. Time for those predictions.

EASTERN CONFERENCE 

1) Indiana Pacers versus 8) Atlanta Hawks

The Pacers struggled down the stretch, but I think they'll be okay versus the Hawks.

Pacers in 5.

2) Miami Heat versus 7) Charlotte Bobcats 

The Heat swept the Bobcats during the regular season, and LBJ scored 61 on them in one of those contests. I expect much of the same.

Heat in 4.

3) Toronto Raptors versus 6) Brooklyn Nets

I'm truthfully upset the Nets tanked in there season finale, so to play the Raptors instead of the Bulls. I think this should be a good serious but expect the lower seed to advance.

Nets in 6.

4) Chicago Bulls versus 5) Washington Wizards

Bulls defense is too good, and Joakim Noah has been on fire. 

Bulls in 6.

Second Round

1) Indiana Pacers versus 4) Chicago Bulls

Bulls make it a competitive series, but the Pacers get what they want - another trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Pacers in 6.

2) Miami Heat versus 6) Brooklyn Nets 

During the regular season, the Nets swept the Heat, 4-0. In those four wins, they won by a total of eight points.  I expect this serious to be similar, expect the Heat will be winning these close games.

Heat in 6.

Eastern Conference Finals

1) Indiana Pacers versus 2) Miami Heat

Pacers wanted home court for this reason, but I expect the Heat will take care of business and make it a non factor. 

Heat in 6.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1) San Antonio Spurs versus 8) Dallas Mavericks

San Antonio won the season series 4-0. I predict they'll win the postseason series 4-1. 

Spurs in 5.

2) Oklahoma City Thunder versus 7) Memphis Grizzles

This is when it get's tough. The East seems easy to predict, while the West is not. The Grizzles are probably the best seven seed I've ever seen, but I don't think I can go against KD. Crazy good series though. 

Thunder in 7.

3) Los Angeles Clippers versus 6) Golden State Warriors

The Dubs where my preseason pick for the Western Conference Champion, but they lost Bogut, and I don't have faith in them anymore. Curry will make the series interesting, but I'll take Blake and CP3. Also, Dubs lost a lot of home games. I think that is how they'll go out. 

Clippers in 6. 

4) Houston Rockets versus 5) Portland Trailblazers

The Blazers played great ball down the stretch, but I love Howard and Harden. Expect the Rockets to advance. 

Rockets in 6.

Second Round

1) San Antonio Spurs versus 4) Houston Rockets

Spurs versus the H2P (Howard, Harden and Parsons) should be fun, but San Antonio is just too deep. Expect Howard to get into foul trouble at some point, which will cost them the series. 

Spurs in 6.

2) Oklahoma City Thunder versus 3) L.A. Clippers

KD and Westbrook versus CP3 and Blake. Great names, great series. Give me KD though.

Thunder in 6.

Western Conference Finals

1) San Antonio Spurs versus 2) Oklahoma City Thunder

The last two teams to represent the West in the Finals. Both very talented, both wanting revenge on the Heat. I hope the Spurs win, but I'm taking KD.

Thunder in 7.

NBA Finals

2) Miami Heat versus 2) Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder were here two years ago, with home court advantage, and lost. This season's Thunder would once again have home court, but I think are much better equipped then two years prior. The series is a good one, and I wouldn't be surprised if OKC won, but man, you would have to be crazy to think I'd pick against my boy LBJ. Ring #3 will be the sweetest of them all! 

Heat in 7.