With the NBA Playoffs beginning on Saturday, it's time for me to do my preview for the first round. I won't lie, it's a real challenge to write a preview for each first round series, so I'm going to mix things up this year and instead address all 16 teams in one post, separating them into four different categories.
One of these teams will likely be your NBA champion
Houston Rockets (65-17): The Houston Rockets have the best record in the NBA and are coming into the playoffs hot, having won seven of their last 10 games. James Harden is playing like a legitimate NBA MVP, averaging 30.4 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game on 44.9% shooting from the field, 36.7% shooting from 3-point range, and 85.8% shooting from the foul line. Chris Paul is also having a good season himself, averaging 18.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game. Together, Harden and Paul have the Rockets knocking on the door to win their first NBA title since the mid 1990s.
Golden State Warriors (58-24): Despite their injury woes, most notably Stephen Curry (sprained left MCL), the Golden State Warriors are still the most loaded team in the NBA. Kevin Durant is having another sensational season, averaging 26.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Stephen Curry are still playing really good basketball when at full strength. The Warriors got a little complacent at the end of the season and weren't able to recapture the top seed in the Western Conference, but don't let that fool you. These guys are very dangerous and should not be counted out.
Cleveland Cavaliers (50-32): The Cleveland Cavaliers have the 4th best record in the Eastern Conference and really appear to have lost their edge. That said, they still have LeBron James and that alone is why they make this first tier. You can never count out a team with LeBron James on it and with the Eastern Conference lacking a true front runner, it's hard to not see the Cavaliers finding a way to get back to the NBA Finals once again.
Toronto Raptors (59-23): Led by Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, the Toronto Raptors have clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, which means that the road to the NBA Finals in the East goes through them. I know the Raptors have come up short during the past few seasons, but this year looks like it could be different for them. They've been through enough playoffs battles and could be on the verge of having a breakthrough postseason run.
Sleepers
Boston Celtics (55-27): If it wasn't for the injuries to Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, the Celtics would have joined the top tier. Without those guys, it's tough to see the Celtics going all the way to win the NBA championship. It just doesn't look like it's their year. That said, Brad Stevens is one hell of a coach and his guys are all buying into system. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford are all playing well and they've seen other guys like Jabari Bird and Terry Rozier step up. While I don't see the Celtics winning it all this year, they still qualify as a sleeper team.
Philadelphia 76ers (52-30): The Philadelphia 76ers have had a remarkable turnaround this year and it largely seems to be due to the tanking job orchestrated by former general manager Sam Hinkie. Ben Simmons is looking like the real deal while Joel Embiid is showing why the 76ers were smart to draft him with the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. As an added bonus, rookie point guard Markelle Fultz is starting to come into his own as well. The biggest concern with the 76ers is their lack of playoff experience. These guys could win a title in a couple of years, but I just don't see them doing it this year.
Oklahoma City Thunder (48-34): Things haven't gone the way the Oklahoma City Thunder envisioned when they got Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook, and Paul George, but they still found a way to get home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. On paper, the talent is there to give someone a serious scare, but the lack of depth is why I don't see them going the distance.
Portland Trail Blazers (49-33): Similar to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Portland Trail Blazers don't have a ton of depth. This is pretty much the Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum show. If those guys don't combine for over 50 points, the Trail Blazers have no chance of beating anybody elite. Jusuf Nurkic gives them a solid post presence, but he isn't enough. The Trail Blazers have done an incredible job of getting the most out of their roster, but now that it's playoff time, they'll find out that they just don't have the horses.
Utah Jazz (48-34): Quin Snyder has done a phenomenal job at coaching this team and Donovan Mitchell should be rookie of the year. During the second half of the season, the Utah Jazz were one of the best teams in the NBA and far exceeded their expectations after losing Gordon Hayward. I wouldn't be surprised to see them give the Rockets a bit of a scare if they are able to get past the Thunder in the first round.
Milwaukee Bucks (44-38): The Milwaukee Bucks are seeded 7th in the Eastern Conference, but I wouldn't be shocked to see them upset the Celtics in the first round considering all the injuries that they've had. Giannis Antetokounmpo is no longer arriving, he's arrived and he's only going to get better. If the Bucks can pull off a first round upset over the Celtics, a run to the Eastern Conference Finals is totally conceivable.
Here to play spoiler
Indiana Pacers (48-34): As the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers find themselves up against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. The Cavaliers will be vulnerable in the first round and if they're not careful, they could fall prey to a first round upset. If Victor Oladipo has a big series and Lance Stephenson has a playoff renaissance against LeBron James, the Pacers could spoil the Cavaliers' quest for a fourth consecutive NBA Finals appearance.
New Orleans Pelicans (48-34): The fact that the New Orleans Pelicans made the playoffs without DeMarcus Cousins is remarkable. I could put them in the next category, but I think these guys have the potential to take out the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. Jrue Holiday is playing really well and Anthony Davis is arguably the best player in the NBA. The Pelicans are dangerous and quite honestly could have made the "sleeper" category had they gotten a higher seed.
Miami Heat (44-38): The Miami Heat would be thrilled to play spoiler and send the 76ers home packing in the first round. I don't see it happening, but with Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside, and Dwyane Wade, they have no reason to doubt themselves. This is actually a pretty solid team. The problem is they lack a superstar that they can lean on in a playoff series.
They should just be happy to be in the playoffs
Minnesota Timberwolves (47-35): The Minnesota Timberwolves are playoff bound for the first time since 2004 and that alone is reason for them to celebrate. This is a cool moment for their fans and you know the Target Center is going to be rocking. They have a nice young core consisting of Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, and Jimmy Butler, but they have work to do if they want to contend for a championship. That all said, reaching the playoffs is the first step towards that goal and for that reason, they should be happy.
Their front office probably wishes they were in the NBA draft lottery instead
San Antonio Spurs (47-35): The only reason the San Antonio Spurs should be happy to make the playoffs is because it kept their now 21 year streak of making the playoffs alive. Outside of that, their front office probably wishes they were in the NBA draft lottery with the chance to get a top three pick. Kawhi Leonard likely misses the post season and appears to be on his way out. These guys need a new piece to build around more than they need to keep a streak alive.
Washington Wizards (43-39): The Washington Wizards would love a shot at a top three pick in the NBA draft to give themselves another piece to put around John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Otto Porter, Jr. The Wizards have nothing to gain from being in the playoffs other than generating some ticket sales and selling some playoff merchandise. I can guarantee their front office wishes they finished 9th in the standings.
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