The two teams battled for the Atlantic Division title down the stretch of the season, with the Raptors ultimately edging out the Nets by four games. While that guarantees a banner in the rafters for Toronto, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are far more interested in a second round series verse Lebron James and the Heat.
The Nets were able to avoid disaster this season unlike their crosstown rivals, the Knicks. The Raptors on the other end were a pleasant surprise this year, winning with a group of relatively unknown players who went out and competed every night. Demar Derozan proved that he could be the team's go-to scorer, after the Raptors parted ways with Rudy Gay.
For the Nets, Pierce showed he still has some gas in the tank. His ability to score along with Joe Johnson's, and Andrei Kirilenko's defensive skills makes the Nets a dangerous team.
The most important matchup in the series will be between the two teams' point guards. Kyle Lowry had a breakout season in Toronto, averaging a career highs in both points (17.9) and assists (7.4). Deron Williams is having one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. However the three time all-star still sets the tone for Brooklyn, and his ability to both score and create shots for some of his older teammates will have a big impact on the series. Lowry shared his thoughts on how to guard Williams with YES.
2) Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder
These teams are no strangers, they have met in the second round of the playoffs in two of the past three seasons; with each team winning once. The Thunder will be looking for revenge as the Grizzles took out the reigning Western Conference champions in five games last season. The Thunder were without all-star point guard Russell Westbrook, who will certainly be making a major impact on this series.
The Thunder have to be considered one of the favorites to win the West; but this is an unfavorable matchup for the two seed. The Grizzles are said to play playoff basketball all season long, that being a slowed down game relying on execution in their half court offense.
If Marc Gasol - last year's Defensive Player of the Year - is able to discourage enough drives and alter enough shots by Westbrook and Durant, the Grizzles may have a shot at the upset. However we know that on certain nights it doesn't matter what kind of defense a team is playing, Durant will get his points.
The Grizzles went 37-15 after getting off to a slow start, and are a far better seven seed than we are accustomed to seeing, even in the West. But with the Thunder at full strength, it will be difficult for the Grizzles to have the same success they enjoyed against them last year.
1) Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles
This will undoubtedly be the most exciting series to watch in the first round. The matchup of Lob City taking on the Splash Brothers has fans around the league salivating. The Clippers are a trendy pick to reach the NBA Finals, however they will certainly be tested by the Warriors in the first round.
Blake Griffin has been mentioned in the MVP conversation, (not to win of course, but getting consideration for coming in third isn't bad) and Chris Paul is still the best point guard in the league. Combine that with the league leader in blocks and field goal percentage in DeAndre Jordan and potential Sixth Man of the Year in Jordan Crawford, and you've got a heck of a team. The team also seems to have bought in to playing defense under Doc Rivers, making the Clippers a legitimate title contender.
All that being said, the Warriors have a very nice roster themselves. The loss of defensive anchor, Andrew Bogut certainly hurts the Warriors chances of pulling off the upset, but doesn't end them. Golden State has one of the best home court advantages in the league, which should propel them to at least one or two home wins. If feeling confident, who knows, maybe they could win an game in LA.
I am not necessarily picking this as the best matchup because it's the most likely to go to seven game (it's not). I'm picking it because of the entertainment value. Whats better than watching Curry go bananas from three? Or Griffin and Jordan getting out in transition with Paul?
This is what happened the last time the two teams met in March.
No comments:
Post a Comment