NBA Playoffs 2015: Breaking Down Potential First-Round Matchups
The possibilities are many for captivating first-round NBA playoff matchups.
Over a week of season action remains, providing ample time to shake up the league's tight standings. Other than the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks wrapping up top seeds and Cleveland earning the East's No. 2 seed, little else is etched in stone.
Such uncertainty forces fans to use their imagination, examining every possible assortment before the postseason bracket locks down. The Western Conference especially proves difficult to handicap, as five clubs are separated by two games or fewer.
With nine days left before the regular season ends, let's take a look at a few particularly feasible and enticing dream matchups.
| 1 | Atlanta Hawks | 57-19 | 1 | Golden State Warriors | 63-14 | |
| 2 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 50-27 | 2 | Houston Rockets | 53-24 | |
| 3 | Chicago Bulls | 46-31 | 3 | Memphis Grizzlies | 52-25 | |
| 4 | Toronto Raptors | 45-32 | 4 | Portland Trail Blazers | 50-26 | |
| 5 | Washington Wizards | 44-33 | 5 | Los Angeles Clippers | 52-26 | |
| 6 | Milwaukee Bucks | 38-39 | 6 | San Antonio Spurs | 51-26 | |
| 7 | Brooklyn Nets | 35-41 | 7 | Dallas Mavericks | 46-31 | |
| 8 | Boston Celtics | 35-42 | 8 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 42-35 | |
| Miami Heat | 34-43 | New Orleans Pelicans | 41-35 | |||
| Indiana Pacers | 34-43 | Phoenix Suns | 39-38 | |||
| Charlotte Hornets | 33-43 |
Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder/New Orleans Pelicans
As their reward for dominating the league all year, the Golden State Warriors will open the first round against a dangerous squad led by an MVP-caliber superstar.
Although ravaged by injuries, the Oklahoma City Thunder were still trusted to lock up a playoff bid. Entering the closing stretch with a half-game lead on the New Orleans Pelicans, it's no guarantee the perennial title contender salvages the West's final spot.
Carrying grand responsibility with Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka out of commission, Russell Westbrook is playing out of his mind. The explosive point guard is averaging 30.8 points, 10.6 assists and 9.1 rebounds since the All-Star break, leading him to back-to-back Western Conference Player of the Month honors.
The team acknowledged his sensational achievement:
If New Orleans snatches the No. 8 seed, fans will have to settle for watching Anthony Davis instead. Would anyone really care if the NBA just tossed the West's holdout into the East?
The league's most ignored MVP contender, Anthony Davis leads the NBA with a 30.91 Player Efficiency Rating (PER), via ESPN.com. Even if the Pelicans suffered a swift exit, the 22-year-old superstar deserves a national platform to make his claim as basketball's new phenom.
Either way, those expecting an upset shouldn't hold their breath. Golden State boasted a 12-game winning streak before getting manhandled Sunday night by the San Antonio Spurs. Despite the 15-point defeat, it still sports the NBA's best point differential at plus-10.4.
While adored for their uptempo offense, the Warriors rank second in offensive rating and first in defensive efficiency. Even if the series lasted four or five games, Golden State's pleasing style makes any series must-watch viewing.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Los Angeles Clippers rising to the No. 3 spot with the Spurs sticking at No. 6 would be music to Golden State's ears. Both catching fire at the perfect time, they're the two biggest threats to push the Warriors out of the Finals.
With Blake Griffin healthy, the Clippers have won 10 of their last 11 games. They brandish the league's most efficient offense with the second-best point differential behind Golden State.
Although currently saddled at No. 5, they loom a half-game behind the No. 3 Memphis Grizzlies and one away from the Houston Rockets' No. 2 placement. They'll want to avoid a date with San Antonio, but leapfrogging Memphis and Houston generates a favorable matchup with the slumping Dallas Mavericks.
| Tue., April 7 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers |
| Sat., April 11 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies |
| Mon., April 13 | vs. Denver Nuggets |
| Tue., April 14 | at Phoenix Suns |
Meanwhile, the Spurs have rebounded from a sluggish start to secure their 16th straight 50-win campaign. Since suffering a shocking loss to the New York Knicks on March 17, they've won 10 of their last 11 tilts.
Tim Duncan noted the team's improvement down the stretch, per the Spurs' Twitter account:
This is a thrilling slate more appropriate for the second or even third round. Doc Rivers and Gregg Popovich aren't dummies, so don't be surprised if they actively try to avoid each other.
If their paths cross, a major championship threat will go home early.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
Fine, let's be fair and acknowledge the East's existence. Only five teams own winning records, so some creativity is required here.
The Miami Heat must surpass the Boston Celtics to sneak into the playoffs, and they'd have to gain 1.5 games on the Brooklyn Nets to set up a best-of-seven showdown with LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers. They also now have to worry about the Indiana Pacers, who clobbered Miami on Sunday behind a returning Paul George.
With little else to intrigue in the dreary conference, all that's left is to fantasize about James revisiting South Beach to face the club he carried to two championships.
Without Chris Bosh, the Heat won't present James and his new companions much of a challenge. Yet Boston or Brooklyn doesn't boast a star like Dwyane Wade who can wreak havoc in a short stint, and George shouldn't be expected to carry a club this early in his recovery.
Then again, Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick pointed out an interesting hindrance for the Heat. Cleveland, who is firmly entrenched into the second slot after besting the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, can dampen Miami's hopes by taking it easy during a pair of Boston matchups.
That's dangerous thinking from Cleveland's perspective. Miami offers a more interesting narrative, but Brooklyn has won eight of its last 10 while Boston wields the best point differential of the trio at minus-0.7.
Even if it's not the best matchup from a pure basketball perspective, some extra storyline spice will help invigorate a bland Eastern Conference.
Advanced stats, updated as of Sunday, April 5, are courtesy of NBA.com unless otherwise noted.
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