1 Indiana Pacers vs 8 Atlanta Hawks

Although this series should be over fairly quickly, the Indiana Pacers have stumbled to the season’s end while the Hawks have battled hard to earn a playoff spot. I expect the Pacers will step up and thrive in this years playoffs and this matchup is a good opening test for their offense which needs to be at their best should they want a place in the finals this year.

Key Matchups

Paul Millsap vs David West

The battle in the paint will be a physical one, and while West has the advantage of Roy Hibbert around him, this matchup should be an even one and will determine how far the Hawks can push the Pacers.

Jeff Teague vs George Hill

Another matchup which will have a large bearing on the length of this series. Defensively both point guards are solid, however Hill’s role in containing Teague will go a long way to limiting the Hawks offense. It may not be a glamorous matchup but it an important one.

Stepping up on National TV

Evan Turner

Turner is a talented player who is playing a much different role with the Pacers than he formerly played with the 76ers. The defense minded Pacers will enjoy the offensive skillset of Turner and the Pacers second unit can certainly use his scoring ability too strengthen their overall game.

Keep an eye on

Paul George

I expect George to step up and lead the Pacers much like he did in last years playoffs. There have been a lot of questions surrounding George and his ability to be a ‘superstar’ but I have no doubts this is where he thrives and will be up too the challenge. I enjoy the Pacers mentality and believe this team is ready for a good run at a championship.

Prediction

4-1 Pacers

2 Miami Heat vs 7 Charlotte Bobcats

Key Matchups

Chris Bosh vs Al Jefferson

The Bobcats big man Al Jefferson has been the main reason behind the Bobcats success this year. He has been a dominant down low earning little recognition throughout the season. The matchup inside between these two bigs is an important one and will likely determine how far the Bobcats can go. The Bobcats are a dangerous team with some potential but in order to defeat the defending champion Heat in a best of seven series they’ll need standout performances from Jefferson, Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd Gilchrist. NB. LeBron scored 61 against the Bobcats earlier this year and the Heat are 15-0 vs the Bobcats in the ‘Big 3’ era.

Stepping up on national TV

Kemba Walker

He lives for the big moments and has had a nice season for Charlotte. This could be a breakout series for the young point guard who is looking to take the next step in his career and this is the perfect opportunity too do so.

Keep an eye on

LeBron James

Two rings down and another in sight. LeBron is a champion and I expect him to take over this series and lead the Heat to a dominant series victory. And who better to eliminate that Michael Jordan’s own team.

Prediction

4-1 Heat

3 Toronto Raptors vs 6 Brooklyn Nets

Key Matchups

DeMar DeRozan vs Joe Johnson

The battle between shooting guards will be an interesting one. DeRozan has been impressive this year and capable of 30+ points anytime he’s on the floor. Johnson is a wiley veteran who uses his size to his advantage and is near unstoppable when he can get too his spot. Although he’s had a mediocre season by his standards he is a key player on this deep Nets squad.

Stepping up on national TV

Jonas Valanciunas

The young Lithuanian big man is a vital cog for the Raptors team. I believe he is key for this matchup and will need to step up to combat the Garnett-Lopez combination for the Nets.

Keep an eye on

Deron Williams

It was only a few years ago Williams was comparable to Chris Paul as the league’s leading point guard. A change of scenery, injury and some character/coaching controversy has effected Williams in a bad way but he is still more than capable of being a dominant point guard.

Prediction

4-2 Brooklyn

4 Chicago Bulls vs 5 Washington Wizards

Key Matchups

The battle of the backcourt

The backcourt battle in this one is the one I’m looking forward to watching. The Wiz backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal are young, full of potential and appearing in their first playoff series of their career. On the other side of the court you have arguably the strongest defensive backcourt of Kirk Hinrich and Jimmy Butler.

Nene is possibly the most important player for the Wizards and if healthy can be a force on the inside for Washington. Whoever is up against Noah, likely Taj Gibson will play a huge role in limiting what he offers for the Wizards.

Stepping up on national TV

John Wall

He stated early in the year the goal of making the playoff and even went as far as writing the words playoffs on every pair of shoes he wore. John Wall has had a breakout year, making his first All Star team, winning the dunk contest (ok ‘dunk of the night’) and has turned in some big performances on both ends in leading the Wizards to their first post season appearance since 2007. He appears ready for the bright lights of the playoffs and is the key player for the Wizards.

Keep an eye on

Joakim Noah

Noah has been outstanding this year and has stepped up in the absence of injured team leader Derrick Rose. Noah will be the defensive anchor that’s lead the Bulls this season and his skillset on offense is very useful for the Chicago Bulls.

Prediction

4-3 Wizards

West

1 San Antonio Spurs vs 8 Dallas Mavericks

Key Matchups

Tim Duncan vs Dirk Nowitzki

The battle between two of the greatest power forwards in NBA history won’t quite have the significance it would have 5 years ago but is still an important one. While the Mavs have had a strong finish too the year, the Spurs have only lost a handful of games since all star break.

Stepping up on national TV

Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard is as important to the Spurs quest for a title as Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. It’s a bold statement but Leonard has been outstanding this season and plays an important role for the Spurs. While he may not post huge statlines, watch for his versatility on offense and effort and smarts on defense.

Keep an eye on

The Spurs are a very well oiled machine however it wasn’t that long ago that they fell to a number 8 Memphis Grizzlies. The Poppovich-Duncan-Parker era continues in which could be one of their finest seasons yet so my suggestion is too sit back and watch one of the most successful sporting dynasties of the modern era

Prediction

4-0 Spurs

2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs 7 Memphis Grizzlies

Key Matchups

Offense vs Defense

While I don’t expect this series to be that close, the Grizzlies hard nosed defense is capable of prolonging this series. I’m looking forward to watching Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook pick apart the defense and seeing how far this Thunder squad can go. This poses a great first up challenge for the Thunder who will have to play hard and be relentless should they want to progress.

Stepping up on national TV

Jeremy Lamb

One player often not spoken too much about is Jeremy Lamb. The shooting guard for the Thunder needs to step up and provide some offense with the second unit if they want an x-factor this season. He can be a very good scorer and with the benefit of watching the league’s best every night in Durant, the Thunder could very much use some strong performance from Lamb alongside Reggie Jackson.

Keep an eye on

Kevin Durant

The man is unstoppable and as determined as ever to win a championship. He is in my opinion the best player to watch in the NBA today and I’m intrigued to see how far his efforts can take the Thunder. In case you didn’t know the Thunder were trailing 87-79 at the end of the 3rd quarter vs the Pistons in their last game of the regular season. The Thunder needed to win in order to lock in the number 2 seed. Durant scored 21 in the fourth including the go ahead dunk over Greg Monroe with 16 seconds to lead the Thunder to the win. Durant will need too show this aggressive and determined attitude to eliminate the tough Memphis Grizzlies.

Prediction

4-2 Thunder

3 Los Angeles Clippers vs 6 Golden State Warriors

Key Matchups

Chris Paul v Stephen Curry

Two all-star point guards battle here in the best matchup of the first round. These teams have had a couple of memorable games this year and containing Steph Curry is vital for the Clippers.

Stepping up on national TV

DeAndre Jordan

You may know DeAndre Jordan as they guy who dunks on people as hard as Blake Griffin and for the past couple of years that’s essentially all he’s been about. This changed under Doc Rivers, Jordan has turned a corner and is now a defensive anchor for the Clippers defense as well as being a rebounding machine. Jordan is beginning to make full use of his athletic gifts and needs strong performances defensively if the Clippers are too make a deep run.

Keep an eye on

Blake Griffin

I had Blake Griffin third in the MVP race for good reason. Griffin has been outstanding this year and has taken the next step in his career to being one of the best players in the game today. Chris Paul provides a good platform for Griffin who has improved his offensive versatility along with his defensive prowess (too an average defender). I expect the Clippers are peaking at the right time for the playoffs and Blake Griffin is set for a playoff outburst.

Prediction

4-2 Clippers (Would have been closer if Andrew Bogut was playing)

4 Houston Rockets vs 5 Portland Trailblazers

Key Matchups

This is a series I’m very much looking forward too. Both teams have had great seasons, one living up to the hype in the Rockets and one exceeding expectations in the Trailblazers. The main matchup I’m looking forward too is the battle of the ‘bigs’ in LaMarcus Aldridge vs Dwight Howard. Both players are in my mind elite and I am interested in seeing whether the Rockets will put Howard on Aldridge in defense. Aldridge’s abilities are unique and his ability to score in the post is impressive. Dwight is an anchor like no other in the NBA today when motivated (Unlike Dwight in a Lakers uniform). This matchup will be one to watch and I think will likely determine the outcome of this series.

Keep an eye on

While the ‘bigs’ will have their hands full in the paint, the battle of the backcourt will be an interesting one. James Harden has had an up and down year, the Rockets need some consistency from their star guard. Defence is a good place to start for Harden who can often gamble and display a lack of effort on the defensive end. Damian Lillard is a key player for the Blazers and the young point guard has thrived in big moments so far in his short career. Lillard is more than capable of being the star player in this series and his ability to run the show for Portland will have a significant impact on the outcome. Defensively he needs to be consistent and as far as big moments go, this is the biggest of his career.

Prediction

4-3 Houston