NBA Playoffs 2016 2nd Round

Western Conference Semis

Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs

This series could turn into a classic. Both teams looked great in their first round series, although I would say the Spurs played better and didn't have any bad games, while OKC had that one blunder in Game 2. The teams split their regular season series 2 wins a piece, the home team winning each time. I think the Thunder are very capable of winning in the nearly impossible AT & T Center, but I don't think they will. If the Thunder can steal one game on the road, I think they have a chance. Spurs win 4-1. Mental toughness will come into play in this series.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Golden State Warriors

The whole Blazers team has the Lillard mindset now and I love it. As Birdman would say "put some respek on my name." Seems like Lillard and the Blazers have been yelling this to the media all year, now it's time they should. The Blazers have earned my respect, but I don't think they can pull of the upset even with Curry questionable to return. The Warriors are deeper and can win without Curry in this series. I think the Blazers will keep the series competitive and even win a game at the Moda Center, but the Warriors shouldn't have a problem. If the series is tied after Game 4 and Curry has yet to play, I think he would return for Game 5 and finish off the series. Warriors win 4-1 and go on to play the Spurs in what could be the best Western Conference Finals in the last 10 years.

Eastern Conference Semis

Atlanta Hawks vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Props to the Hawks for finishing off the Celtics and not allowing the upset I called, but they have their hands full with the Cavs. The Cavs have looked like the best team in the playoffs so far after sweeping the Pistons, in a series that many people thought the Pistons could win at least 2 games. I didn't think that though. Lets hope for the Hawks sake, they play better than they did in last years's ECF, where they were swept and looked terrible. I can't see the Hawks getting swept again, but they are nowhere close to beating the Cavs in a series. The series against Detroit showed a lot of maturity from Irving as well. I was highly impressed that he lead the team in scoring and I think that is a great strategy for the Cavs to succeed. Have LeBron get Love and Irving points rather than each of them going one on one in isolation plays. Cavs win 4-1.

Miami Heat/Charlotte Hornets vs Indiana Pacers/Toronto Raptors

What a treat! Two game 7s on the same day. Regardless of who wins, the underdogs (Charlotte & Indiana) have been great. Unfortunately, I think the higher seeds will win in both series, but who knows, that's why they play the game and we write about it. My biggest concern is the Toronto Raptors. Are they going to fold again? I honestly thought they were over the hump after their great regular season, but Lowry and DeRozan can't buy a shot and haven't played well at all. The reason I think the Raptors will win is because Demarre Carroll will be the difference and one or both Lowry and DeRozan will actually have a good game and of course because Views came out on Friday and Drake will be hyping them up.

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NBA Playoffs 2016

2016 NBA Playoffs

Western Conference

#1 Golden State Warriors vs #8 Houston Rockets

This will be a sweep for the Warriors. The Rockets sneaked into the playoffs by beating 3 sub-par teams to end the season. The Warriors did the complete opposite, beating 2 playoff teams twice in their last 4 games to get the record for most wins in regular season history (73). GSW wins 4-0. Dwight Howard might play his last ever game as a Rocket.

#4 LA Clippers vs #5 Portland Trail Blazers

As always, the 4/5 match-up will be one of the best series in the first round of the NBA playoffs. I think a lot of people are just writing off the Blazers, but most people, including myself, wrote them off before the season even started. Props to them, but I think the playoffs will show their youth and inexperience. Lillard will have a big game almost every game, but the Clippers are a much more, well rounded team built to go past the first round. I'll give the Blazers a game, maybe 2 if Lillard makes a game winner to keep the series alive. Clippers win this series 4-2 and move on to face their hated rivals, the Warriors. Side note: Blake Griffin isn't back to where he was before the quad and hand injury. I am very curious to how he will play in this first round. 

#3 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Dallas Mavericks

This series has blowout written all over it. The Mavs don't match-up well against the Thunder. The Mavs aren't much better than the Rockets. A more complete team, but not as deep and Dirk isn't the same Dirk as 2011. Also, with Parsons out, their chances are even smaller than if they were fully healthy. I can see Dallas winning once at home on an OKC 4th quarter slip up like they did in the regular season, but no chance the Mavs win more than one. OKC sweeps 4-0.

#2 San Antonio Spurs vs #7 Memphis Grizzlies 

Memphis couldn't be in any worse position, I mean they could lose Z-Bo and really not have a chance, but no Conley or Gasol leaves only a dream for Memphis to win. This will be a good warm up series for San Antonio before they face the Thunder. SA sweeps 4-0.

Eastern Conference 

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs #8 Detroit Pistons

Hats off to Detroit for making it to the playoffs after a little drought. I really like what Stan Van Gundy has done. The trade for Tobias was good and I like their young nucleus. 2 or 3 more years and they might be a top 4 team in the East. Although Detroit did take a couple of games vs Cleveland this season, make no mistake LeBron and Cavs are ready to roll. I give Detroit some credit and say they will win one game, but the Cavs are going to blow them away. Cavs win 4-1.

#4 Atlanta Hawks vs #5 Boston Celtics

This will be the best series of the first round of the playoffs. This is the only series that a possible upset could happen. The Hawks aren't even close to the team they were last year and the Celtics were the #3 seed just a week ago. Add on that comeback by the C's vs Heat in their season finale, I would not be one bit surprised if the Celtics pull off the upset. I am not one to pick upsets, but if there will be one, it will be this series. I'm taking the Celtics in 7.

#3 Miami Heat vs #6 Charlotte Hornets

Don't sleep on the Hornets, they earned this spot and just a few weeks ago, they were the #3 seed. The 3-6 seeds are all so close in talent that the seeding isn't very important, but home court advantage is what will be a huge benefit to the higher seeds. Kemba Walker had a heck of season and is leading this team in the right direction. I don't think they can beat the Heat in a seven game series, but I do think they can be competitive and win a game or 2 in this series. The Heat win 4-1.

#2 Toronto Raptors vs #7 Indiana Pacers

The only reason people are doubting the Raptors is because of their past performances in the playoffs. This team is better than last year and I believe they learned from their last year's blunder. The Pacers and Paul George started off hot, but cooled off way too much. I expect the Pacers to stay competitive, but Toronto is too good to lose this series. Plus the addition of Demarre Carroll is going to pay off. Raptors win 4-1.   

Western Conference Semis

#1 GSW vs #4 LA Clippers: GSW wins 4-2

#2 SAS vs #3 OKC: SAS wins 4-2

Eastern Conference Semis

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs #5 Boston Celtics Cleveland wins 4-2

#2 Toronto Raptors vs #3 Miami Heat Toronto wins 4-3

Western Conference Finals

#1 Golden State Warriors vs #2 San Antonio Spurs: GSW wins 4-3

Eastern Conference Finals

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs #2 Toronto Raptors: CLE wins 4-2

NBA Finals

Golden State Warriors win in 6.