NBA Playoffs 2015: Complete Monday TV Schedule, Odds and Predictions
While much of Round 1 was to be desired, the 2015 NBA playoffs are upping in anticipation and excitement by the second as Monday begins the last two second-round matchups.
Things got off to an expected start in Golden State with the Warriors handling the Memphis Grizzlies to take a 1-0 series lead, but the same can't be said of the Atlanta Hawks. The top seed out East got out-shot in a spectacular second-half performance from the Washington Wizards, putting them behind the 8-ball early in their series.
Monday's slate features the beginning of the Nos. 2 and 3 series in each conference, and two star-studded matchups figure to prove influential on who will advance to the NBA Finals.
Let's break down both of Monday's games.
Monday, May 4 NBA Playoff Schedule, Odds
| 7 p.m. | Game 1: Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers | TNT | Cavs -5 | CHI 17-10, CLE 20-39 |
| 9:30 p.m. | Game 1: Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets | TNT | Rockets -6 | LAC 2-1, HOU 5-12 |
Odds courtesy of Odds Shark
Previews and Predictions
Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers
Joakim Noah got what he wished for.
One wouldn't be surprised that the all-heart Bulls center would enter any playoff series confident of his team's chances, but Noah upped the ante by telling ESPN's Nick Friedell back in April, "I really hope it happens." Well, here it is, and the Bulls had better hope they are ready.
Their last series certainly doesn't indicate that, after allowing the hapless Milwaukee Bucks to steal two games despite playing Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler long minutes. That duo will be charged with going head-to-head with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
As for James and Co., the trash talking didn't exactly equal up, but he left no doubt of his lack of affection coming from the other side, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin:
Both teams have been building for this series all season long to suggest it could go the distance, but there's no doubt who is ready to hit the court running for Game 1.
Even without Kevin Love for the rest of the postseason, the Cavaliers are firing on all cylinders. As long as they continue to get spectacular play down low from Timofey Mozgov and Tristan Thompson while allowing Irving to do his thing and James to have his all-around impact, they should have no problem continuing their home winning prowess.
Winning Game 1 with J.R. Smith suspended will only up the Cavs' chances even more.
Prediction: Cavaliers win Game 1, 103-92
Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets
Chris Paul put the city of Los Angeles on his back Saturday night, falling back to get his series-clinching floater over the outstretched hand of Tim Duncan to put the Clippers in the second round. But he made that play—and every other one from the second quarter on—virtually on one leg after hurting his hamstring.
He stuck through and made the play in Game 7, but suiting up for Game 1 against the Houston Rockets won't be a simple task. There was no discouraging test results, but he still may miss Monday night, per Dan Woike of the Orange County Register:
Paul didn't miss a single game in the 82-game season for the first time in his career in 2014-15, a spectacular feat for anyone—much less a player with past durability and injury issues. But don't be surprised if he finds a way to go, if even to assume more of a floor-general role and avoid driving to the hoop or exploding off his hurt hamstring.
The Clippers' fearless leader is hobbling, and the team is still bouncing back from one of the franchise's biggest-ever moments, but there's no such feeling in the other corner.
James Harden and the Rockets are coming off an easy series win over the Dallas Mavericks and are clicking in a way that they haven't all season—which is saying a lot considering they secured the No. 2 seed. Dwight Howard is now finally back and healthy, while many role players can't miss.
DeAndre Jordan has been able to wreak havoc against Houston this season with Howard out, but that won't be the case Monday night. The Clips also have a few fresh faces to help the cause, as Bleacher Report's Kelly Scaletta observed:
The Clippers simply have too much determination and talent to pack it in, but the emotional hangover from Saturday will be inevitable. That's only compounded by the likelihood of not having Paul—or at least having a significantly less dangerous Paul.
Without him, it's just about impossible to figure out a way that the depth-lacking Clippers will be able to score with the Rockets for four quarters in Houston.
Prediction: Rockets win Game 1, 113-100
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