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If the first round is any indication of how the NBA playoffs are going to be, get your popcorn ready! After a record five game sevens, the match-ups have been set for round two.
1. Indiana Pacers vs. Washington Wizards
For a minute, it looked like the Indiana Pacers would fall in the first round in an epic collapse. There were rumors that coach Frank Vogel would be let go if they did not advance. There were rumors that certain players would not have jobs with the Pacers if they did not advance. However, they did advance and finally showed why they were the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. They did it against an Atlanta Hawks who overachieved just getting into the playoffs. The Washington Wizards will prove to be a much tougher opponent.
The Wizards took care of their business against a tired Chicago Bulls teams in five games. They have had some time off to watch the Pacers hang on in game six and dominate in game seven. Which team will they get has yet to be determined, but they will be prepared for both. The Wizards have all the right pieces to make a deep run in the Eastern Conference and with Roy Hibbert’s confidence shattered, look for Marcin Gortat and Nene to be dominant in the paint. While Gortat and Nene will keep Indiana’s big men busy, they will also have to deal with one of the league’s best back courts. The Pacers will need all of Lance Stephenson’s energy to try and contain John Wall and Bradley Beal.
2. Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets
The Heat finished up their series with the Bobcats in four games. The Nets needed seven games to squeeze by the Toronto Raptors. It seems like Miami will have an easy time getting to the Eastern Conference Finals, but during the regular season the Heat failed to beat the Nets. However, this is the playoffs and this is what the Miami Heat dream about.
The hatred on the court between these teams is real led by Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, but for the Nets it is about the consistency of Deron Williams. When Williams plays exceptionally well, Brooklyn usually wins. When he struggles and disappears during a game, the Nets usually struggle.
3. San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trailblazers
Hello Portland! The Trailblazers demanded respect during the first round of the playoffs when they knocked out the Houston Rockets. The Rockets were an early favorite when they acquired Dwight Howard, but thanks to an amazing buzzer beater by Damian Lillard,
This series is a true old school vs. new school battle. Tony Parker vs. Damian Lillard. LaMarcu Aldridge vs. Tim Duncan. Does it get much better than this series? They are nearly even in every statistical category with the Blazers averaging only one point more during the season than the Spurs.
The Spurs are coming off a long and tough battle against the Dallas Mavericks. However, they turned it up another level during game seven and showed why they could easily head back to the NBA Finals. Getting through the Blazers will not be easy.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have been in the headlines recently for everything but their play on the court. Despite all that, they were able to rally past the Golden State Warriors and will now face the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Clippers have really found a way to come together during this tough time and play great basketball. DeAndre Jordan is averaging fourteen rebounds a game, while Blake Griffin is averaging almost 25 points a game. Griffin and Jordan are proving they are more than just high-flying dunk machines.
While those numbers are impressive. They still do not compare to Kevin Durant, who averaged 32 points in the regular season. Durant admitted he struggled when he was guarded by Memphis’ Tony Allen, but thanks to a certain newspaper editor calling him “Mr. Unreliable”, he has returned back to MVP form.
