NBA Preseason Playoff Predictions

On Wednesday we posted our projected standings for both the Eastern and Western Conferences. We’ll build on that today and give you our preseason playoff predictions. Since we don’t know the real matchups, we’re basing these selections on our standings list from that Wednesday post. Here we go!

Eastern Conference

First Round

1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets

Lebron’s Heat took on Brooklyn last year in the playoffs and took care of business easily. The Nets veteran play could cause some problems for the youth on Cleveland, especially since this will be the first playoff series for many of them. But the Nets simply won’t slow down James, Love, and Irving enough.

Prediction: Cavs in 5

2 Chicago Bulls vs. 7 Atlanta Hawks

This is a terrible matchup for Atlanta. Atlanta has a great point guard, but not compared to Chicago’s Rose. They have some nice beef inside with Horford and company, but the Bulls have the best frontcourt in the NBA. Bulls will roll.

Prediction: Bulls in 4

3 Washington Wizards vs. 6 Toronto Raptors

Here’s where we see youth vs. youth. If last year’s playoff run was any indication, the Wizards are built to make serious noise in the postseason. If Wall and Beal are playing well, Toronto can’t keep pace. BUT, Toronto doesn’t have many holes, and can challenge the Wizards with great guard play themselves (Lowry and Derozan).

Prediction: Wizards in 7

4 Charlotte Bobcats vs. 5 Miami Heat

This is an excellent matchup and very tough to gauge. Miami clearly has great experience, and I’d give them a coaching edge too. But Charlotte brings a speedy point guard and dominating big man in, which are areas Miami struggles to guard. The X-Factor is Wade, and how he’ll shine without James overshadowing him.

Prediction: Heat in 6

Conference Semi-Finals

1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5 Miami Heat

Isn’t this an interesting matchup? I think the storyline here is obvious… This series would be packed with emotion to say the least. The question I’d ask is can Cleveland’s playoff inexperience overcome a tight series like this? Yes, but barely.

Prediction: Cavs in 7

2 Chicago Bulls vs. 3 Washington Wizards

This is a rematch of last year’s first round matchup, where the Wizards rolled. They present challenges to Chicago due to their speed and beefy frontcourt themselves. But that series didn’t have Derrick Rose in it, nor Gasol, McDermott, Mirotic, etc. The Bulls are just better now.

Prediction: Bulls in 6

Conference Finals

1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 2 Chicago Bulls

I think this is a matchup everyone would want to see. Most believe these are the two clear top teams in the East, and the star power in this series is awesome. My heart is leaning Cleveland, but my head is taking Bulls. Thibs coaching might give Chicago the edge, but who will Chicago put on James? That to me is the difference.

Prediction: Cavs in 7

Western Conference

First Round

1 San Antonio Spurs vs. 8 New Orleans Pelicans

The veteran Duncan vs. the up and comer Davis. I’d love to watch that. The supporting cast is where the Spurs would have a big edge though, along with their style of play and coaching.

Prediction: Spurs in 6

2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7 Portland Trailblazers

This is a balanced matchup in my opinion. Westbrook and Lillard are fairly even as are Ibaka and Aldridge. I’d give the edge to Portland overall on those two spots though. But Durant vs. Batum is heavily on the side of OKC. So that’s the difference.

Prediction: Thunder in 7

3 LA Clippers vs. 6 Dallas Mavericks

Wow, these matchups in the West are great. I went back and forth on this one. The Clippers are good enough to win it all, but the Mavericks are dangerous enough to pull an upset. I think Chandler makes a huge difference here, as he’ll contest Blake inside and cause problems. Upset!

Prediction: Mavericks in 6

4 Golden State Warriors vs. 5 Houston Rockets

The offense in this series would be epic. And a big question mark already is will Bogut be healthy for the playoffs this year? But I just think Curry and Klay are too much to handle for Houston, as the Rockets can’t guard people consistently. It will go the distance though.

Prediction: Warriors in 7

Conference Semi-Finals

1 San Antonio Spurs vs. 4 Golden State Warriors

I really think the Warriors are a dangerous team when healthy. But the Spurs have seen it all before. I think SA would have a big advantage inside, and Tony Parker could go off against Curry.

Prediction: Spurs in 7

2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 6 Dallas Mavericks

The thing I see in this matchup is that Dallas doesn’t have the defenders to stop Durant and Westbrook. They can handle inside players, but not these explosive perimeter scorers. I think the Thunder dominate.

Prediction: Thunder in 5

Conference Finals

1 San Antonio Spurs vs. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Sound familiar? We’ve seen this happen before, and I still think the Spurs are favored. But I just feel like OKC will eventually break through. And Durant will eventually have one of those series that goes down in history as all-time great. Why not this one?

Prediction: Thunder in 6

NBA Finals

1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Cleveland would have home court advantage in my scenario, but it doesn’t matter much with the quality of these two teams. All eyes would be on James and Durant, as they would battle it out each night. Westbrook and Irving would be nearly as fun though, and Love vs. Ibaka is a great clash of styles for interior players. These teams are very evenly matched. But I’ll give the edge to a team that’s been here before (although they didn’t win), and that’s OKC. Irving, Love, Waiters, Thompson, etc. need a year before they win, just like the Heat’s first season with the Big 3. Durant will finally get his ring.

Prediction: Thunder in 7

The season has begun, so let’s get into it!

By: The Sports Guys