So here goes. Four members of the Sportsnaut team are ready to go out on a limb and give you their predictions for the first round of the 2013-2014 NBA Playoffs. While there are some obvious picks here, a couple of the guys go out there and predict upsets. Hey, even one of these scribes has the Atlanta Hawks defeating the Indiana Pacers.
True to form, boss man TC will go ahead and give you his predictions on our Sportsnaut Unfiltered podcast from Friday. Interestingly enough, TC made a rather awesome announcement on the air. Check the bottom of this page for a link to the podcast and his predictions on who will come out on top.
Without further ado, here we go…
Western Conference Playoffs
1) San Antonio Spurs vs 8) Dallas Mavericks
Josh Collacchi: San Antonio
Derek White: San Antonio
Vincent Frank: San Antonio
What They’re Saying
Derek: Somehow this series goes on and on and on. Spurs win with defense.
Vincent: There is no reason to believe that the Mavericks will get swept out here, but there is even less of a chance that they pull out the series win. San Antonio has been the most dominating team in the NBA all year. That doesn’t figure to change.
4) Houston Rockets vs 5) Portland Trail Blakers
Josh Collacchi: Portland
Derek White: Portland
Vincent Frank: Houston
What They’re Saying
Derek: James Harden will keep the Rockets in most games, but I think the Blazers are more athletic and fun to watch.
Vincent: I love what the Blazers bring to the table as a young team, but it’s hard to believe that they will be able to stop the one-two punch of James Harden and Dwight Howard. Rockets take this series in seven.
3) Los Angeles Clippers vs 6) Golden State Warriors
Josh Collacchi: Los Angeles
Derek White: Los Angeles
Vincent Frank: Golden State
What They’re Saying
Derek: The best series of the first round, but I think the Clippers take over by being physical. Curry will carry them for a few games…Warriors will need Klay Thompson, especially after calling out Blake Griffin.
Vincent: If the NBA God’s are on our side, this series will last a full seven games. Despite being the underdogs, I am going to go with the Warriors here. Stephen Curry is a low-key MVP candidate and has been riding a hot hand. He should cross out the domination we have seen from Chris Paul in L.A. Expect the Warriors to take this in a long, drawn-out series.
2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs 7) Memphis Grizzlies
Josh Collacchi: Oklahoma City
Derek White: Memphis
Vincent Frank: Oklahoma City
What They’re Saying
Derek: My upset pick has been in the works for weeks. I was hoping the Grizzlies and spurs would match up again, but Memphis plays team basketball and they can play D and score. If they shut down Durant for 2 games, they have a chance. Durant could go cold and no one steps up to help him.
Vincent: Don’t expect a quick series here. Oklahoma City isn’t playing the best basketball Memphis has the players to matchup against the No. 2 seed. I like what Mike Conley and Tony Allen match up against the Thunder back court. With that said, Durant will lead the Thunder to victory in seven.
Eastern Conference
1) Indiana Pacers vs 8) Atlanta Hawks
Josh Collacchi: Indiana
Derek White: Indiana
Vincent Frank: Atlanta
What They’re Saying
Derek: Indiana is way better than the Hawks. The hawks got in because they play in the East, which is stupid. No super stars on the Hawks’ team.
Vincent: My upset pick of the first round, Indiana isn’t anywhere near the team it was a couple months ago and continues to struggle in certain aspects of the game. Look for a coming-out party by Hawks’ big man Paul Millsap.
4) Chicago Bulls vs 5) Washington Wizards
Josh Collachi: Chicago
Derek White: Chicago
Vincent Frank: Chicago
What They’re Saying
Derek: Chicago’s defense and experience is too much for an average (at best) Wizards team. If Derrick Rose were playing, the Bulls would be a one or two seed with the core group they have.
Vincent: First off, it’s high time to give the Wizards credit. They have a solid young core in John Wall and Bradley Beal. It’s still hard to imagine them being able to stop one of the most improved players and likely the best big man in the NBA, Joakim Noah. Bulls will take this in five or six.
3) Toronto Raptors vs 6) Brooklyn Nets
Josh Collacchi: Toronto
Derek White: Toronto
Vincent Frank: Toronto
What They’re Saying
Derek: Brooklyn will put a good fight, but their age will get the best of them. Another team that benefited from the East…but Toronto has some ballers. Might be an ugly series though.
Vincent: The Nets might have more experience, but they’re not going to be able to keep up with a younger, more talented Raptors team. The big difference in this series has to be the improved play of DeMar DeRozan, who should be able to help led the Raptors to victory in four or five games.
2) Miami Heat vs 7) Charlotte Bobcats
Josh Collacchi: Miami
Derek White: Miami
Vincent Frank: Miami
What They’re Saying
Derek: Miami is too good and Charlotte can’t guard LeBron. The Heat are going to turn the jets on in the second round, but want to rest…so they won’t mess around with Charlotte.
Vincent: The most lopsided affair of the first round, it’s hard to imagine Charlotte being able to win a single game here. King James and the rest of Miami’s Big Three should dominate an up-and-coming Charlotte time. Look for a sweep.
Our main man TC gave his prediction on the Unfiltered Podcast Friday. Check it out.
Photo: Gary A. Vasquez, USA Today