With the regular season coming to a close, the NBA playoffs are set to start this weekend.

 

A lot of interesting things going on throughout the league. The Warriors are rolling, while the Cavaliers are REELING. But as bad as the Cavaliers have been playing since the all-star break, I would still be very surprised if they don't win the ECF. Boston just needs to win their last game to capture the 1-seed and have home-court throughout the eastern conference playoffs. Even with the 1-seed, I don't think Boston can beat the Cavs in a 7 game series. The only team I can potentially see beating the Cavs in the East is Washington. But I'd still be very surprised to see Cleveland fall in the east. 

 

In the west, Golden State is obviously hitting their stride at the perfect time, and all it took was Kevin Durant going down for a few weeks for Curry to show he is still the guy who won back to back MVPs. Sure, he hasn't been that guy in the playoffs, but with Kevin Durant healthy again that may not matter as much. The talent level and depth the Warriors have is second to none. 

 

Im really hoping for a trilogy of GS-CLE, because as great as the Warriors are and as bad as Cleveland has been playing, everybody knows that LeBron will not go quietly in the Finals. He still is the best player of this generation. Should be another incredible Finals. 

 

What are your predictions?

Who are you rooting for? 

I just love the entertainment that the NBA Playoffs provide in general.  A couple of my kids root for the Warriors - I even have 1 rooting for the Cavs.  

 

I think you are spot on about the Warrior - hitting their stride at the right time.  They are a very strong team.  A lot of depth and talent.  And Steve Kerr is perfect for them.  You are also right about Lebron not going quietly in the finals. 

 

It will be interesting to see how the east plays out for sure - last year it was the Pistons that gave the Cavs the most trouble.  I don't see Boston clearing the hurdle either though...we will have to see though.  

 

Hopefully it will be a great show. 

 

 

I'm a big Warriors fan so let's do this!!

Houston!!

NHL.... 

 

The Wizards, good to see them having a good season. They has some confidence and a nice bench, will be interesting to see how they play in the playoffs.

 

 

15 minutes ago, Chris. said:

Houston!!

 

They can shoot the lights out for sure, and if they catch fire they can hang with any team in the league! 

12 minutes ago, BrianinMD said:

NHL.... 

 

The Wizards, good to see them having a good season. They has some confidence and a nice bench, will be interesting to see how they play in the playoffs.

 

 

 

Wall and Beal definitely make up an impressive back court. I think they are Cleveland's biggest threat in the east!

4 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

 

They can shoot the lights out for sure, and if they catch fire they can hang with any team in the league! 

 

Wall and Beal definitely make up an impressive back court. I think they are Cleveland's biggest threat in the east!

 

Agree on both points... 

Go Dubs!

I'm rooting for the Cavs but their skill set/timing has waned lately. They need to find their rhythm if they want a shot at repeating.   

4 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

I'm rooting for the Cavs but their skill set/timing has waned lately. They need to find their rhythm if they want a shot at repeating.   

 

They've certainly looked like they could be susceptible to an upset. At the very least they've given teams like Boston, Washington and even Atlanta a reason to feel confident. 

1 hour ago, Dwight Hottle said:

I'm rooting for the Cavs but their skill set/timing has waned lately. They need to find their rhythm if they want a shot at repeating.   

I think they were sandbagging it. I believe when the playoffs get rolling Lebron will be huge and they will beat the other teams easily. But I'm rooting for the Warriors. 

Warriors vs. Cavs in final.

 

Warriors win it all.

 

But Cleveland is one of those head scratchers.

They put a drubbing on the Celtics the other 

week - in Boston. Unpredictable. They can turn

it on at the strangest of times. Like last years'

finals.

 

 

Well, I'm rooting for red or blue, but the lighter colors seem to have the advantage.  Watching paint dry

beats the heck out of grass growing...and then there's basketball...

 

3 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Well, I'm rooting for red or blue, but the lighter colors seem to have the advantage.  Watching paint dry

beats the heck out of grass growing...and then there's football...

 

 

Fixed that for ya! 

20 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Well, I'm rooting for red or blue, but the lighter colors seem to have the advantage.  Watching paint dry

beats the heck out of grass growing...and then there's basketball...

 

 

Aww come on RR, you having court side seats at the 'Grindhouse" has to be really cool .... 

I can't wait to see LeBron face Lance Stephenson again. This should be interesting.

 

 

I'm not a fan so much anymore. looks rougher than football . 3 to 4 steps between dribbles. just not the fanness it used to be. back when I played your hand had to stay on top of the ball while dribbling , no carrying the ball. you could not put your hands on anyone for any reason. the coach most certainly had to remain on the side lines. . and you most deffinantly did not get in the refs face or run your mouth to him.  of course I feel so old that back when I was born the dead sea was just sick!

On 4/14/2017 at 0:57 PM, Gundog said:

I think they were sandbagging it. I believe when the playoffs get rolling Lebron will be huge and they will beat the other teams easily. But I'm rooting for the Warriors. 

100% sandbagging.Celtics look like garbage tonight against the Bulls.They dont stand a chance against the Cavs.

On 4/14/2017 at 3:18 PM, roadwarrior said:

Well, I'm rooting for red or blue, but the lighter colors seem to have the advantage.  Watching paint dry

beats the heck out of grass growing...and then there's basketball...

 

Right there with ya...especially since they have made the season soooooooo long.  I for one do not like to sit in front of a TV for that long.

Cleveland barely squeaked by Indiana, but that game could have gone either way. The Cavs haven't looked like a defending champion as of late. They may have their hands full in the later rounds, and they better figure out their defensive woes before the finals, because Golden State will run them out of the arena if they don't. 

The Cavs are playing like turds for the last half of the season, and it doesn't seem like they will be able to turn it around in time to beat a team like the Warriors - assuming they make it to the Finals.  They seem disinterested in playing defense, and that was one of the keys to them winning last year.

 

But, as a Clevelander, my hope will always spring eternal.  Except for the Browns.  There's no hope for them whatsoever.

Chicago up 2-0 on Boston!

Cavs demoralized the Pacers with that comeback. 

13 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Cavs demoralized the Pacers with that comeback. 

 

Very true Dwight. Not to mention the Cavs took the crowd outta the game during their 3rd quarter run and Indiana played poor (porous) defense.

 

On 4/19/2017 at 3:55 PM, Jar11591 said:

Chicago up 2-0 on Boston!

 

Rondo is out "indefinitely" with a fractured thumb that won't require surgery. A window is open for Boston, now will they be able to shoot the 3 consistently as they did towards the end of the regular season.

 

 

15 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Cavs demoralized the Pacers with that comeback. 

 

That was something to watch. Paul George looked terrible in the second half. Took some bad shots, turned it over a lot and tried to draw shooting fouls which didn't work and was just painful to watch. Can't put it all on the Pacers though, it is the best player in the world who staged that comeback, sans Kyrie and Love nonetheless! 

1 hour ago, J._Bricker said:

 

Rondo is out "indefinitely" with a fractured thumb that won't require surgery. A window is open for Boston, now will they be able to shoot the 3 consistently as they did towards the end of the regular season.

 

 

 

Huge blow to the Bulls. Rondo has looked like throwback Rondo over the first two games. I've always been a Rondo fan and apologist, and I was disappointed to hear about this. I doubt Chicago will make it far enough to have Rondo back this year.