Let's the championship chase begin

In this new column, Nothing But Net, we will discuss the NBA 2015 playoff game with results, analysis, videos and even more. Each Thursday, along with results of the night, we will at once analyze deeply one game and try to explain the main plays from it as well as one specific topic occurred during the week. Let's the show begin!  

After 82 games each for 30 teams, the NBA Playoff are set to begin on 18 April. 16 teams are still in the mix. 6 months to battle his way, 6 months of up and down but 6 months of wonderful plays, rising star, and underdog surprise. And right now, we're all here, ready to witness the most competitive team going each other. Golden State and the "likely" MVP Stephen Curry and Coach of the Year Steve Kerr (67-15, tied with the sixth best record in the NBA history) have been an outstanding force throughout the whole season: Best offensive team in the NBA (110.0 PPG), offensive rating of 111.6 per 100 possessions (2nd NBA) and best defensive rating of the NBA (101.4 per 100 possessions),.


The question to be asked here is : Can anyone beat the Golden State Warriors? But before thinking about their fourth NBA title in their franchise history (1947,1956,1975), it will have to beat 3 team in the toughest Western Conference and 1 team in the Eastern one.

In this episode 0, we will review all the 1st round match-up with the schedule and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each team.

Eastern Conference: Boston is showing up, Cleveland is the team to beat in the East, Atlanta to the NBA finals? 

ATLANTA (1) - BROOKLYN (8) : Regular Season (4-0)                                                    

                                    

After beating the Orlando Magic and the Pacers losing to the Grizzlies, the disappointing Nets clinched the eighth seed and will face the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. For 4 games at least. The Hawks have played such a beautiful basket by using the spurs influence playbook throughout the year. Even though Brook Lopez has been pretty good the last couple of weeks (20,2 pts and 9,2 RPG in April), we don't really see how Atlanta could lose even 1 game entering the first round. 

They reached a franchise record of 60 wins and seems to be ready to face the Cleveland Cavaliers  for a much-anticipated Eastern Conference Finals. The only cloud on the horizon: Thabo Sefolosha, who will miss the remainder of the season due to a fractured tibia. His defensive ability could have been a huge plus for the Hawks (and especially in a possible match-up against LeBron)

Prediction: HAWKS 4-0

CLEVELAND (2) - BOSTON (7) : Regular Season (2-2)

13th May 2010. Game 6. TD Garden. LeBron James played his last playoff game with Cleveland in a loss 94-85 against the NBA finalist Boston Celtics. 5 years later and after winning 2 NBA titles in a row with Miami, LeBron got back to Cleveland with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He has to bring the first title to Akron for almost 50 years and knows as much as anyone else how hard the Playoffs are. Despite a questionable defense (Cleveland rank just 20th in the league defensively this season), they have been on fire lately and looks like the team to beat in the East (Best record since the All-Star Break)

On the other hand, the C's, a rebuilding team lead by one of the most underrated coach in the league right now in Brad Stevens (He should get some Coach of the Year vote though). They clinched the 7 seed in the Eastern Conference while Danny Ainge was trying to do his best to land the Celtic a lottery spot. They traded away Rondo and Green. Marcus Smart has been injured most of the season. So did Bradley and they are in. And, frankly, regardless of the level of the East, it's just kind of great accomplishment.

Cleveland is the favorite. They will win  because of the lack of star power in Boston. But Boston took care of business and we're just happy to see them going back to the Playoffs. The TD Garden is going to roar again

Prediction: CLEVELAND 4-1







CHICAGO (3) - MILWAUKEE (6) : Regular Season (3-1)

"I'm feeling great. I didn't feel any discomfort at all. I'm just happy to be playing". Derrick Rose is back (again) and willing to carry those Bulls during the Playoffs. With a healthy Derrick Rose, the Bulls are a solid contender and a threat in the East. And he's got some help from the double-double machine Paul Gasol (54 this season, 1st in NBA), the emergence of Nikola Mirotic from the Bench and the likely Most improved Player in Jimmy Butler.

There are a lot of weapons coming all the way. If the Bulls succeed in getting to their rhythm back in defense (97.8 PPG allowed vs  91.8 PPG in 2013-2014), they could be a huge team to play against.

The Milwaukee Bucks is one of the surprising team this season, going from the worst record in the East last year to a playoffs team. This group is young and talented and with Jason Kidd at its helm, there are a lot of expectations with this team. The "Greek Freak" Giannis Antetokounmpo is a star in the making and Jabari Parker, out this season (ACL torn) had shown some great signs when he was playing. Added to that the fact they've played great defense all season long and we have a serious contender for the next couple of years.

Nevertheless, they are far away from being regarded as a legitimate contender this year and they will need more experience to compete during the post season.


Prediction: CHICAGO 4-1









TORONTO (4) - WASHINGTON (5) : Regular Season (3-0)

The toughest match-up in the East. The huge edge is the home court advantage for the Raptors. Their crowd is one of the best in the NBA and they will need all their support to secure their spot in the second round, the first time since the season 2000-2001. After an abysmal 1-9 run in February where they only managed to beat the Sixers, they bounced back and finished the season with 49win, a franchise record. Thanks to their explosiveness, the come back of Kyle Lowry and the tandem Derozan-Ross, they have a chance to do so, despite a horrific defense for a playoffs team (23rd in the league)


After being swiped by the Raptors this season, Wall and his teammates still are confident regarding this serie and John Wall has his say about it:


" I take it personal. They beat us 3-0. They feel like they got an opportunity to sweep us so that adds more fuel to the fire and makes it more exciting for us to play them".


Speaking about John Wall, he's been an elite player this season, averaging 17,6 PPG, 10,1 AST and 4,6 RBD per game while posting a career-high 47,8 2P%. But he will need help from his teammates if they want to overcome the Raptors.

 Their seasons followed the same trajectory as they were up and down at the same time during the season, starting off hot the first months and then cooled off at the same time. This serie will be the most interesting one in the East and it could go either way...


Prediction: WASHINGTON  4-3









Western Conference:  Warriors, the unstoppable force?  Spurs- Clippers, why we should now fear the Beard.







GOLDEN STATE (1) - NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (8) : Regular Season (3-1)

At one point of the campaign, the Warriors has ranked first in both offensive and defensive efficiency, going 39-2 at the Oracle Arena, winning 67 games (franchise record ), climbing the best record in the entire league, which means they will have the homecourt advantage throughout the whole playoffs. And, with a record of 39-2 at home, it's quite dreadful.

They have arguably the deepest roster in the league.  Just have a look at this bench: David Lee, Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes, Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbosa to cite only a few.

Oh, I was about to forget. They have THIS man

The Pelican exceeded all the expectations to earn the last playoffs spot, their first apparition since the departure of Chris Paul. By holding the Spurs (more below) 108-103 behind another huge monster masterful performance from Anthony Davis (31 PTS / 13 RDB), they thus ended the Thunder dream to make the postseason. With the addition of Norris Cole and the return of Jrue Holiday, they have significantly improved over the year.

However, this contest is expected to be a one-sided (the only one in the West) and the Warriors should advance with relative ease to the second roud.

Prediction: GOLDEN STATE 4-0






HOUSTON (2) - DALLAS (7) : Regular Season (3-1)

Do you remember this seven game serie against San Antonio? Does the Mavericks capable of threating the Rockets?

We never know. But it could be. On the one hand, the Rockets, number 2 seed , who played most of the year without its rim protector and second offensive force Dwight Howard,and have been coached really well this season (once again another coach underrated in this league) but almost all the credit goes to the Beard. James Harden has been fantastic all season long, carrying this team on his shoulders and making big plays after big plays on a nighly basis. He's made a huge case for the MVP and seems playoffs ready. However, over the last two years, Harden was not able to lead the Rockets and make the step forward. But James Harden is better. And he's ready.


On the other, Dallas. It was a weird regular season for the Mavericks, as they looked an unstoppable force early in the season and we all thought the trade for Rondo would bring more assets to the team. But, rather, they seemingly regressed while the other teams stepped up. They're getting more comfortable, especially Dirk Nowitzki, who has had his best month in April (19.0 PTS, 49.5% FG) and they can pull of the biggest upset of this first round. It won't be easy but they could do it. Especially if James Harden run out of gas due to all the things he's done so far.

Prediction: HOUSTON 4-3








LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (3) - SAN ANTONIO SPURS (6) : Regular Season (2-2)

Manu Ginobili summed up perfectly in one tweet the complex playoff picture in the Western Conference from the 2 seed to the 6 seed:

Unfortunately (for whom?) the Spurs lost against the Pelicans last night and will face the Clippers once again in a playoff match-up. No one in the league since the All-Star Break has been hotter than the Spurs.They have lost twice in the last month and ranking 1st in offensive and 2nd in defensive efficiency. Kawhi Leonard is turning into a superstar right now and all the team have heated up at the right time.
The way they're playing (ball movement, 3pts shoot...) is just a beauty to watch and they look more like the team that won the NBA title in 2014. Despite not having the home-court advantage, they are seen as the legitimate frontrunner in this serie to advance.

But the Clippers have their words to say, though. Like the Spurs, they have been on fire lately,winning 14 out of their 15 last games. Chris Paul is doing his things and in Deandre Jordan, they have possibly the DPOY. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Clippers won the series because they are now healthy (Jamal Crawford is huge boost coming off the bench)

Two great coaches, a ton of superstars out there and an epic battle on the line.


Prediction: SPURS 4-3








 PORTLAND (4) -  MEMPHIS (5) : Regular Season (0-4)

Earlier in the season, Portland looked like a potential contender to reach the NBA Finales but the season-ending injury to Wes Matthews ended that possibility, and the Blazers are now dealing with injuries from Nicolas Batum and Aaron Affalo. And even if starters return to the lineup, they will not be at 100%. It will hard for them to do as well as the last year, unfortunately.

The Grizzlies remains one of the toughest match-up in the West. They are griddy and hold one of the best defenses in the NBA. Gasol and Randolph constitute the best tandem 4/5 in the NBA and with the addition of Jeff Green, they have a more balanced team than they had last year and it could be useful for them in their hopes to make a push into the postseason.

Prediction: MEMPHIS  4-3