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The 2014-15 NBA regular season has concluded and it was played hard until the final day. Finally, we now know the make-up of the playoffs.
The Western Conference playoffs, on paper at least, look to be terrifying for the teams involved, comprised of multiple exciting match-ups likely to thrill even casual NBA fans.
With seven of the eight teams finishing with at least 50 wins, the Western Conference will be extremely difficult to move through unscathed, even for the franchise with the best record this season, the Golden State Warriors.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, it’s a rather lacklustre sight, but there is the potential for upsets.
Three teams in the East registered over 50 wins, with an additional two succumbing to a win percentage of less than 50 per cent.
This century, 11 teams have reached the NBA playoffs with a losing NBA regular season record.
All of them were from the East, further highlighting an imbalance between the two conferences.
Teams 1-4 in each conference are all three division winners plus the next best win record.
Here’s a look at each match-up of the opening round of the playoffs:
Eastern conference
1. Atlanta Hawks (60-22) versus 8. Brooklyn Nets (38-44)
Season results: Atlanta Hawks 4-0.
The biggest win for the Hawks came just eight days ago, with a 32-point thumping to the men from the south.
Key player (ATL): Kyle Korver.
Can one of the best shooters currently in the NBA carry his form from the regular season into the playoffs? If he can, Atlanta has the potential to go all the way with a deep bench and solid starting line-up. The main point to be remembered by the opposition is to never leave Korver wide open.
Key players (BRO): Brook Lopez and Deron Williams.
The synergy between these two individuals will be vital if the Nets are to get anything out of this season. Lopez has been their dominant player throughout the year, and needs to stay healthy to ensure that Brooklyn remains competitive.
Prediction: Atlanta Hawks 4-0.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29) versus 7. Boston Celtics (40-42)
Season results: Tied 2-2.
The Cavaliers secured a big 31-point win in March, and will no doubt look to dominate their opponents early on. Boston gained their two wins late in the season when the Cavaliers had already obtained the second spot in the Conference.
Key player (CLE): LeBron James.
The best basketball player on the planet will again be watched closely as he returns to the playoffs with Cleveland. The Cavaliers last featured in the playoffs in 2010 when LeBron was still a part of the roster. In 2010, Cleveland was knocked out by Boston, so it’s ironic that they meet again. If James hit his straps, Boston will single-handedly be dismantled.
Key players (BOS): Marcus Smart and Isaiah Thomas.
Both will have the task of guarding one of the best in his position and playoff debutant, Kyrie Irving. Smart and Thomas are key to Boston’s offence, and if they can fire, Boston have a slim chance of challenging Cleveland.
Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1.
3. Chicago Bulls (50-32) versus 6. Milwaukee Bucks (41-41)
Season results: Chicago Bulls 3-1.
Chicago seems to have hit form at the right time. Milwaukee should pose no significant threat, but could cause an unlikely upset at home. The Bucks failed to score over 87 points in all of Chicago’s wins, which they need to rectify if they’re to win more than one game. Could this be the end of Tom Thibodeau?
Key players (CHI): Pau Gasol and Derrick Rose.
Derrick Rose returns with his first playoff appearance since 2012 and will play a key role in stabilising the point. Additionally, Pau Gasol will carry with him substantial playoff experience and numerous double-doubles into the series, proving to be vital in the Bulls’ quest for a ride deep into the playoffs.
Key player (MIL): Michael Carter-Williams.
Carter-Williams will be responsible for guarding the returning Derrick Rose. Milwaukee fans can only hope that Michael can recapture his form from his time at Philadelphia and will be left to orchestrate offensive pressure on a strong Chicago squad.
Prediction: Chicago Bulls 4-0.
4. Toronto Raptors (49-33) versus 5. Washington Wizards (46-36)
Season results: Toronto Raptors 3-0.
The Raptors and Wizards have been involved in close contests throughout the season and there is no doubt that this match-up will be one of the most exciting.
Key players (TOR): DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.
Achieving his first NBA All-Star selection in 2015, Lowry has become one of the most exciting players in the NBA. His consolidation at the point, along with DeRozan’s strong finishing ability see these two as the most important aspects to a finals push for the Raptors.
Key players (WAS): John Wall and Paul Pierce.
The flair of Wall and experience of Pierce will be invaluable to this Wizards side. Wall has led the team from the front, playing a huge passing role within the team. Beating the Bulls during last year’s playoffs will surely provide Wall and the Wizards with confidence heading into the Raptors series.
Prediction: Toronto Raptors 4-3.
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors (67-15) versus 8. New Orleans Pelicans (45-37)
Season Results: Golden State Warriors 3-1.
The Warriors are very comfortable on their home court, striding to victories on both visits from the Pelicans this season. New Orleans did manage to win their last encounter.
Key players (GS): Andrew Bogut and Draymond Green.
I may be biased towards Australian players, but if both Bogut and Green remain healthy throughout the playoffs, the Warriors will no doubt remain favourites to win the championship. Titles are not only won by offence, but defence. Bogut and Green are extremely good defenders and are key for the Warriors to dominate. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will do the rest.
Key players (NO): Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans.
If Evans plays anywhere near his best during the playoffs, he has the potential of placing substantial pressure onto Klay Thompson. Similarly, Davis has been monumental for the Pelicans this season and continues to get better and better.
Prediction: Golden State Warriors 4-1.
2. Houston Rockets (56-26) versus 7. Dallas Mavericks (50-32)
Season results: Houston Rockets 3-1.
The Rockets and Mavericks were involved in high-scoring duels throughout the season that could have gone either way. It sets the scene for an exciting series. On paper, the Mavericks look the better, but it remains to be seen as to whether they will perform at playoff time.
Key players (HOU): Dwight Howard and James Harden.
These two selections are obvious. On his day, Howard is one of the best centres in the league, if not the best while Harden has the chance of receiving the regular season MVP award. Harden is yet perform well and take the Rockets deep into the playoffs, so is this the Rockets’ year?
Key player (DAL): Rajon Rondo.
Rondo has played 92 games in the playoffs, so can he use this valuable experience to catapult Mavericks to opening round glory? One of the most creative passers in the league can cause significant defensive issues, especially when he hits the chest of Dirk Nowitzki.
Prediction: Dallas Mavericks 4-3.
3. Los Angeles Clippers (56-26) versus 6. San Antonio Spurs (55-27)
Season results: Tied 2-2.
Poised to be the best match-up of the opening round, the Spurs have hit their usual end of season form spike, and are set to challenge the Clippers in a seven-game series.
Key players (LAC): DeAndre Jordan, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
The series will be decided around which ‘Big Three’ performs better. Jordan led the league in rebounds per game (15.0) and Paul led assists per game (10.2), with both of them playing in all of the Clippers’ 82 games of the regular season. We know that all three can perform at playoff time, but it remains to be seen what the other players can provide in their quest for glory.
Key players (SAS): Kawhi Leonard.
The 2014 NBA Finals MVP seems to have re-captured his form, just at the right time. He achieved a career-high seven steals in the dismantling of the Golden State Warriors, while also being successful in disrupting both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Leonard is a prime defender, and can willingly shut down offensive threats.
Prediction: San Antonio Spurs 4-1.
4. Portland Trail Blazers (51-31) versus 5. Memphis Grizzlies (55-27)
Season results: Memphis Grizzlies 4-0.
Possibly to everyone’s surprise, the Grizzlies have won every encounter against the men from Portland this season. Nevertheless, one would be questionable if they thought the upcoming series wouldn’t be close.
Key player (POR): Damian Lillard.
Following a late season injury to Conley, Lillard will look at capitalising upon this. One of the best guards in the league, he can take the game away from opponents with ease. Teamed up with LaMarcus Aldridge, the Portland duo can wreak havoc on the opposition.
Key player (MEM): Marc Gasol.
Brother of veteran Bull Pau Gasol, along with being a fellow All-Star, Marc has risen to prominence, establishing his presence as an elite center. Gasol should get the best of opponent Robin Lopez, and recently scored a career-high 33 points.
Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies 4-1.
The first round of the 2015 NBA playoffs look to be fruitful, at least in the Western Conference.
They begin on Sunday April 19 at 2:30am AEST, with the Toronto Raptors hosting the Washington Wizards.
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