The most talked about tournament of the year ended up being the most interesting finish with a number seven and a number eight seed facing off in the finals of the Final Four. Heavily favored number one seed, Florida, made it to the Final Four but would end up losing to number seven seed, Connecticut. A matchup between number two seed, Wisconsin, and number eight seed, Kentucky, would also result in an upset and Kentucky would take down Wisconsin. This would all lead up to a final showdown between Kentucky and Connecticut. This was the highest combined seeds to make it to the final game in the history of the tournament. The game would be close throughout, but Connecticut would hang on and win 60-54.
For any NBA fan the playoffs are easily the best and most intense time of the year. With first round match ups pretty even across the board it is hard to tell who will win what series. The likes of Miami, the Clippers, San Antonio, and Oklahoma are all the favored teams to win the title this year, but that is not to say the road to a championship will be easy. The two lopsided series that can easily be picked are Indiana and Miami.
Miami is matched up with a young Bobcats team that is underrated. The Bobcats have two great offensive players in Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson. Al Jefferson is the key to the Bobcats winning any games but after injuring his foot in Game One, he’s not as crafty as he was before the injury occurred. The injury is plantar fasciitis and is a very discomforting injury that makes you feel like you’re walking on glass. The Bobcats would be swept 4-0 by Miami after Jefferson had to sit the last game of the series.
Another team that was thought to be swept in the first round was the Hawks, but they went into Indiana and stole Game One from the Pacers. The Pacers seemed to be falling apart at the seams because they ended the season poorly and also lost Game One at home, but they bounced back to win Game Two convincingly. The Hawks would go on the road in Game Five and would win putting them up 3-2 in the series. Atlanta destroyed the Pacers defense in the second quarter scoring 41 points in the period. Don’t be surprised if the Hawks win the series.
The Toronto Raptors square off against the Nets in the First Round and this series can go either way and most likely be a seven game series. The Nets won Game One after Paul Pierce scored nine points in the final three minutes of the game to secure a Game One victory. In game two it would be close throughout the whole game, but the Raptors would pull away late capturing a five point win. The Nets won game three despite a late game collapse, but game four would be much of the same except the Nets would not be able to hold on to their lead as they were held scoreless in the final 4:57 of the game.
The Wizards have won there series with Chicago 4-1. The Bulls are a great defensive team, but there struggles on the offensive end ultimately cost them each game they lost. The Wizards are looking very strong and have made their presence known. If the Pacers and Wizards face off in the second round, the Wizards may be the favorite to win that series.
That sums up the East; now looking at the West, there are four more playoff match ups that are ongoing and each has been very exciting. Let’s start with San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks. Both teams have some age to them, especially the Mavericks, but both teams had very good seasons. The Spurs are still leaning on Tim Duncan to lead this team to another championship and there are no signs of him slowing down. Through four games the series is tied at two. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise because the Mavericks are a talented ball club. Dirk Nowitzki has yet to have a breakout game, but he has played consistently. If Nowitzki has a breakout game the Mavericks could win the series, but for now I would still pick the Spurs in seven.
The Thunder was matched up with a very hard nose basketball team in the Memphis Grizzlies. The Thunder won Game One thanks to a 33 point effort from Kevin Durant. Game Two was very exciting as the game would go into overtime. As time was winding down in the game and the Thunder looked done, Kevin Durant hit one of the most impressive shots in playoff history. He caught the ball in the corner off of a saved pass from Russell Westbrook and was able to make a three pointer while being knocked into the court side seats. He would make the free throw and would bring the Thunder within one. After a the Grizzlies went one for two from the free throw line, the Thunder would come down and get multiple chances to win or tie the game until the unlikely hero Kendrick Perkins caught a rebound and put it in at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. In overtime it would be all Grizzlies as they would go on to win game two. Memphis has been playing there hardest and after the fourth straight overtime game they have pulled ahead 3-2 in the series. I would still take the Thunder in seven games, but in years past Memphis has been a problem for Oklahoma City.
The Clippers and Warriors battled it out in Game One, which didn’t feature much of Blake Griffin due to foul trouble. The series has been very back and forth and is also filled with drama after Donald Sterling, the Clippers owner, made some extremely inappropriate comments. Sterling had been recorded having a private conversation which featured many racist remarks. Sterling also went on to talk about how he gives his team food, cars, homes, ect. Sterling was fined $2.5 million and was banned for life from the NBA. With Los Angles staying composed they have taken a 3-2 series lead. So far it is hard to tell who will advance, but I would pick the Warriors to move on to the next round, knowing how emotional the Clippers organization is right now.
The last matchup might be the most surprising and most fun to watch so far. In Games One and Two Lamarcus Aldridge scored over 40 points in both games. That was a steal for Portland because those were both road wins. In Game Three the Rockets would look much better and walk away with a win. Game Four was an overtime thriller, but the Blazers would take a commanding 3-1 series lead. The Rockets are now facing a win or go home and if James Harden doesn’t step his game up, they will be going home early. I think the Blazers will win in 6 games since the Rockets are at home for Game Five.
