So there are a few predictions that haven’t quite come to fruition, but for the most part these playoffs are what we thought they were! Here’s a recap of what has happened so far:

Western Conference

#1 Golden State Warriors vs #8 New Orleans Pelicans

Steph Curry and the Warriors took care of the Pelicans one game earlier than I expected.  The Pelicans should have won Game 3. They led by 20 in the fourth quarter only to have the Warriors do what they do and shoot right back into overtime and a victory. (Curry was fouled on the 3-point hit at the end of the 4th quarter, so it probably should have been over in regulation.) Anthony Davis didn’t disappoint with his nearly 30-point average in the series.  He just didn’t have enough help against the most potent offensive team in the NBA. Warriors win series 4-0

#2 Houston Rockets vs #7 Dallas Mavericks

The Rondo experiment was a disaster for the Mavs and the “back injury”, that took him out of the playoffs, may have also taken out what little chance the Mavs had in the series.  The Mavs were able to hold off the Rockets in Game 4 in Dallas, despite a Josh Smith 4th quarter barrage.  Though they send it back to Houston for Game 5,  James Harden may be due for a big game.  Summer vacation for the Mavs has only been postponed, not cancelled.  Rockets lead series 3-1.

#3 L.A. Clippers vs #6 San Antonio Spurs

The most competitive series of the playoffs, so far.  The teams have both split games on their home courts and no one has a strong hold on the series.  I’m still picking the Clips and it may take the entire 7 games to do it.  These are probably the two best coaches in the NBA in Doc Rivers and Greg Popovich. It’s like watching two masters play chess.  Let’s see the next move. Series tied 2-2.

#4 Portland Trailblazers vs #5 Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies have won the first three games in the series and look to lock up a trip to the next round early.  The winner of this series faces Golden State, so the more rest the Grizz can get the better.  Damian Lillard has had a disappointing post season so far, after such a great one last year. Memphis’ two bigs (Gasol and Zebo) have been too big for Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge.  The Blazers only hope is if the facial injury to Mike Conley keeps him out long enough for them to climb back into this series. Memphis leads series 3-0.

 

 

 

Eastern Conference

#1 Atlanta Hawks vs #8 Brooklyn Nets

The Hawks haven’t looked as dominant in the playoffs as they did during the regular season, but they still hold a seemingly commanding lead on this series.  It’s up to veterans Joe Johnson and Deron Williams to turn back the clock and make this series even more competitive. They did manage to get a “Where Brooklyn At?” win at home in Game 3. Hawks lead series 2-1.

#2 Cleveland Cavaliers vs #7 Boston Celtics

The Cavs victory over the Celtics only cost them four games of court time, but the physical cost may have been way too high.  In the last game of the series, Kevin Love dislocated his shoulder when he got tangled up with Kelly Olynyk.  Love felt the action from Olynyk was intentional, but that is hard to determine.  What isn’t hard to figure out is that Love will be missed in the next round of the playoffs.  Cleveland’s Big 3 will be reduced to a Big 2 for the foreseeable future.  I’m not sure if LeBron and Kyrie will be enough to make it to the Eastern Finals. Cavs win series 4-0.

#3 Chicago Bulls vs #6 Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks staved off elimination for at least a game when Milwaukee head coach Jason Kidd’s last second play worked to perfection.  The Bucks scored off a back door play that will be one of the most memorable marks of this first round. Now can the Bucks be the first team in NBA history to come all the way back from a 3-0 deficit to win series? Probably not, but this has been a good experience for a young team. Bulls lead series 3-1.

#4 Toronto Raptors vs #5 Washington Wizards

This is the major upset of the first round for me.  I had the Raptors winning this series in a close contest between two evenly-matched teams.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  It’s not that the Wizards beat the Raptors, but that they beat them down.  Nothing went right for the Raptors and the Wizards did whatever they wanted on the offensive end. Wizards veteran Paul Pierce played the role of the bad guy to perfection and it did seem to affect the Raptor’s play on the court. Somebody told me that rapper Drake (a Toronto native and fan) is somewhere singing a sad song – “Don’t do it, please don’t do it.”  It’s done. Wizards win series 4-0.