NBA Playoffs 2015: Remaining Conference Finals Schedule and Updated Predictions
Remember when we were all biting our nails while impatiently awaiting two conference finals series that were expected to produce some of the most intense action we'd see on the hardwood this year? Yeah, it didn't quite turn out that way.
Through just six total games, it appears as though our NBA finalists have all but come to fruition. In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers lead the Atlanta Hawks 3-0, and the Golden State Warriors lead the Houston Rockets by the same margin in the West. Keep in mind, no NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs.
Will this be the year a struggling team rises from the ashes and forges an improbable comeback? That's not likely. However, there's always a chance, and you'd be kicking yourself for not tuning into the action and witnessing it for yourself.
That said, here's a look at the remaining conference finals schedule and some updated predictions for the remainder of each series.
Conference Finals Schedule
| 4 | Mon., May 25 | Warriors at Rockets | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
| 5* | Wed., May 27 | Rockets at Warriors | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
| 6* | Fri., May 29 | Warriors at Rockets | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
| 7* | Sun., May 31 | Rockets at Warriors | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
| 4 | Tue., May 26 | Hawks at Cavaliers | 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 5* | Thu., May 28 | Cavaliers at Hawks | 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 6* | Sat., May 30 | Hawks at Cavaliers | 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 7* | Mon., June 1 | Cavaliers at Hawks | 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
Full schedule courtesy of NBA.com.
Series Predictions
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets
Houston, we have a problem.
Following two close, entertaining contests to open this series, the Warriors took it to the Rockets in a big way in Game 3, winning by a 35-point margin and putting Houston on the brink of elimination. That doesn't exactly give the Rockets plenty of motivation entering a Game 4 home contest.
Stephen Curry continues to put up video game numbers on Houston. The reigning NBA MVP bucketed 12 of 19 attempts from the floor—including an impressive 7-of-9 from downtown—to score a game-high 40 points. Although, Golden State's performance was far from a one-man show.
Four other Warriors dropped double-digit points, and thanks to the interior efforts of Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut—both finished with double-doubles—Golden State hauled in 60 rebounds to Houston's 39. That's the definition of dominating the boards.
Meanwhile, it was an off day for James Harden and the Rockets offense. Harden hit just three of 16 attempts from the floor to score 17 points on the day, and Houston shot just 33.7 percent from the floor as a team. Shooting struggles and lackluster defense isn't a combination that will win many playoff games.
After that drubbing, Houston is completely deflated. Sure, the Rockets are at home once again in Game 4, and they'll want to take at least one game to save face, but the Warriors have far too much momentum and confidence to lose at this point.
Prediction: Warriors sweep Rockets
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks
Following a pair of comfortable victories to begin the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers notched a hard-fought overtime win in Game 3 to put a stranglehold on the series. While Cleveland earned the win, the banged-up Hawks must be commended for their efforts.
Guard Kyle Korver went down in Game 2, suffering an ankle injury that will keep him out of the remainder of the postseason. That was a huge blow to Atlanta, as the team lost a well-rounded member of its backcourt and consistent threat from downtown. Although, for their ability to win as a team, the Hawks stepped up.
Jeff Teague led the way in Game 3 with 30 points, and Paul Millsap controlled the interior with 22 points and nine boards. Even the injury-riddled Al Horford got into the mix, hitting 7-of-10 from the floor for 14 points, as a total of six Hawks scored in the double digits. However, the team wasn't without shortcomings.
LeBron James continues to have Atlanta's number. He put up gaudy numbers against the Hawks during the regular season, and that trend has continued in the playoffs. After averaging more than 30 points through the first two games, James put up a game-high 37 points Sunday, adding 18 rebounds and 13 assists for a brilliant triple-double.
While suffering a blowout loss is always tough, we can speculate that close defeat will be even more deflating to the Hawks. Atlanta came so close to jumping right back into contention only to fall to a seemingly insurmountable deficit. The Hawks can't contain James, and assuming they'll be able to do so at this juncture in Cleveland would be foolish. This series won't head back to Atlanta.
Prediction: Cavaliers sweep Hawks
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