NBA Playoffs 2014: Full Round 1 Schedule and Championship Odds for Each Team
Compared to other sports, the first round of the NBA playoffs usually features few upset possibilities. This year, however, almost every matchup is interesting.
In the Eastern Conference, teams like the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat are not as dominant as they were earlier in the year, and anyone is capable of pulling off an upset.
Meanwhile, the Western Conference features eight of the top 10 teams in the league according to record. The San Antonio Spurs are the favorites to go the distance, but any number of teams can get to the NBA finals.
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This is certain to create an exciting few weeks of postseason, beginning with a first round that is certain to have quite a few upsets.
Here is a quick preview of each series with full schedules and a look at the teams with the best odds to win, courtesy of OddsShark.com.
| Atlanta Hawks | 200-1 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 35-1 |
| Charlotte Bobcats | 200-1 |
| Chicago Bulls | 40-1 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 80-1 |
| Golden State Warriors | 30-1 |
| Houston Rockets | 18-1 |
| Indiana Pacers | 9-2 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 9-1 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 80-1 |
| Miami Heat | 2-1 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 4-1 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 35-1 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 7-2 |
| Toronto Raptors | 60-1 |
| Washington Wizards | 150-1 |
Eastern Conference
| 1 | Sat, April 19 | Indiana | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| 2 | Tue, April 22 | Indiana | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| 3 | Thur, April 24 | Atlanta | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| 4 | Sat, April 26 | Atlanta | 2 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 | Mon, April 28 | Indiana | 8 p.m. | NBA TV |
| 6 | Thur, May 1 | Atlanta | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sat, May 3 | Indiana | TBD | TNT |
Of all the teams entering the first round in the playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks likely have the least chance of advancing. They are the only team still alive without a winning record, actually finishing six games under .500.
The Pacers struggled mightily down the stretch, going 10-13 in the final 23 regular-season games. However, the scoring woes should not continue against a poor defense like this.
Indiana might have problems in future rounds, but the team should advance easily in this one.
Prediction: Indiana wins in 4
| 1 | Sun, April 20 | Miami | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| 2 | Wed, April 23 | Miami | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| 3 | Sat, April 26 | Charlotte | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| 4 | Mon, April 28 | Charlotte | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 | Wed, April 30 | Miami | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Fri, May 2 | Charlotte | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sun, May 4 | Miami | TBD | TBD |
The Charlotte Bobcats are better than people think. A squad that has been the doormat of the NBA has improved dramatically thanks to the addition of Al Jefferson.
However, Miami is still one of the best teams in the NBA and should be able to refocus on its goals now that the playoffs have begun. This statistic is also pretty incredible:
Jefferson's ability to score inside to go with the Bobcats' speed on the perimeter should allow the squad to sneak out one win. Four wins is out of the question though.
Prediction: Miami wins in 5
| 1 | Sat, April 19 | Toronto | 12:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| 2 | Tue, April 22 | Toronto | 8 p.m. | NBA TV |
| 3 | Fri, April 25 | Brooklyn | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| 4 | Sun, April 27 | Brooklyn | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 | Wed, April 30 | Toronto | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Fri, May 2 | Brooklyn | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sun, May 4 | Toronto | TBD | TBD |
It certainly seems like the Brooklyn Nets tanked down the stretch to ensure a first-round matchup against the Toronto Raptors. Jason Kidd's team lost four out of the last five to move into the No. 6 spot.
This might not be the best strategy since Toronto has been surprising people all season long. DeMar DeRozan briefly discussed his thoughts on the matchup, via Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News:
That being said, Brooklyn has an overwhelming advantage when it comes to playoff experience. The squad played well in the second half of the year and should be able to narrowly advance beyond the young Raptors.
Prediction: Brooklyn wins in 7
| 1 | Sun, April 20 | Chicago | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| 2 | Tue, April 22 | Chicago | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 3 | Fri, April 25 | Washington | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| 4 | Sun, April 27 | Washington | 1 p.m. | ABC |
| 5 | Tue, April 29 | Chicago | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Thur, May 1 | Washington | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sat, May 3 | Chicago | TBD | TNT |
Like the Raptors and Bobcats, the Washington Wizards will have a lot of players making their playoff debuts. John Wall is someone fans will keep an eye on after a fantastic season.
The problem is that he will struggle to find much room in this matchup against the league's No. 1 defense. The Chicago Bulls have a smothering unit that makes sure that no one gets a clean look at the basket.
As long as someone steps up offensively, the Bulls should be able to keep their surprising season going for a little longer.
Prediction: Chicago wins in 6
Western Conference
| 1 | Sun, April 20 | San Antonio | 1 p.m. | TNT |
| 2 | Wed, April 23 | San Antonio | 8 p.m. | NBA TV |
| 3 | Sat, April 26 | Dallas | 4:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 4 | Mon, April 28 | Dallas | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 | Wed, April 30 | San Antonio | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Fri, May 2 | Dallas | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sun, May 4 | San Antonio | TBD | TBD |
Despite the fact that the Spurs lost their last two games, no one has been playing better over the second half of the season. San Antonio was 24-5 after the All-Star Break that included a perfect month of March.
The Dallas Mavericks certainly wanted to avoid this dreaded matchup, but they fell to the Memphis Grizzlies in overtime on the last game of the season.
Dallas was swept by the Spurs during the regular season and will have a hard time staying competitive in this series.
Prediction: San Antonio wins in 4
| 1 | Sat, April 19 | Oklahoma City | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| 2 | Mon, April 21 | Oklahoma City | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| 3 | Thur, April 24 | Memphis | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| 4 | Sat, April 26 | Memphis | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| 5 | Tue, April 29 | Oklahoma City | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Thu, May 1 | Memphis | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sat, May 3 | Oklahoma City | TBD | TNT |
This is a classic battle between a great offense against a great defense. The Oklahoma City Thunder were among the best in the NBA in points per game this year, but the Memphis Grizzlies allowed the fewest points in the Western Conference.
Phil Taylor of Sports Illustrated breaks down Memphis' strategy in this series:
"Memphis will try to grind out possessions, pounding the ball into beefy big men Gasol and Zach Randolph, on the theory that OKC rim protector Serge Ibaka can't block everything around the hoop. Defensively, the Grizzlies will make it a priority to get back quickly in transition and take away the easy fast-break points that the Thunder rely on to supplement their jump-shot-heavy offense. If they slow the pace (which is their specialty, as the slowest team in the league) and defend the three-point shot well (they ranked 12th in opponents' percentage), the Grizzlies could keep the scores in the 90s. And if that happens, Memphis just might pull this off.
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This will be a close battle throughout, but Oklahoma City has Kevin Durant to make the big shots when needed. This will be enough to pull out a close victory.
Prediction: Oklahoma City wins in 7
| 1 | Sat, April 19 | Los Angeles | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| 2 | Mon, April 21 | Los Angeles | 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 3 | Thur, April 24 | Golden State | 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 4 | Sun, April 27 | Golden State | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| 5 | Tue, April 29 | Los Angeles | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Thur, May 1 | Golden State | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sat, May 3 | Los Angeles | TBD | TNT |
Offensively, the Clippers are extremely difficult to handle. Chris Paul always seems to make the right decision with the ball and finished the year with a league-leading 10.7 assists per game. Blake Griffin also had a big season, helping the squad lead the NBA with 107.9 points per game.
Of course, the Golden State Warriors have some big-time scorers as well, starting with arguably the best shooter in the league in Stephen Curry.
Doc Rivers provided his thoughts on what should be an excellent series, via Arash Markazi of ESPN:
While Golden State will provide a tough challenge, the injury to Andrew Bogut will hurt the team too much to overcome.
Prediction: Los Angeles wins in 7
| 1 | Sun, April 20 | Houston | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 2 | Wed, April 23 | Houston | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 3 | Fri, April 25 | Portland | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| 4 | Sun, April 27 | Portland | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 | Wed, April 30 | Houston | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Fri, May 2 | Portland | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sun, May 4 | Houston | TBD | TBD |
Few teams are entering the playoffs hotter than the Portland Trail Blazers. The young squad has won five games in a row and nine of its last 10.
LaMarcus Aldridge is one of only a few players in the NBA capable of matching up against Dwight Howard, while Damian Lillard has the ability to blow by virtually anyone on the perimeter.
Houston can obviously score as well as anyone in the league, but Portland can actually match its speed and execution in this series.
Every game will be close, but the Trail Blazers will only need one road win to secure the series victory.
Prediction: Portland wins in 6
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