Eastern Conference Second Round Preview
The top seeded Boston Celtics overcame an 0-2 deficit vs the Chicago Bulls to win 4-2, and the Washington Wizards defeated the Atlanta Hawks 4-2.
This is a matchup of two of the premier point guards in the NBA, and should be exciting to watch. The season series was tied 2-2 with the home team winning each game. The Celtics were without Avery Bradley or Al Horford in three of those games, winning the only game with them both 110-102 on March 20 in Boston.
Wall shot just 25/67 in the four games and had two games with 5 turnovers. Bradley Beal had two 30 point games and on Nov 9 Otto Porter Jr scored a career high 34 in a Wizards win.
Thomas scored at least 23 in all four games and Bradley scored over 20 in both games he participated in. Al Horford averaged 7 rebounds in his 3 games including a two rebound game in Washington on Jan 24.
This series will come down to the frontcourt play. The combinations of Wall and Beal and Thomas and Bradley will cancel each other out. Leaving it up to Porter, Marcin Gortat, and Markieff Morris of the Wizards and Horford, Jae Crowder, and Amir Johnson.
The Wizards frontcourt will produce more and get take the series in six games.
After defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in six games the Toronto Raptors will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers who swept the Indiana Pacers in four games.
The Raptors went 1-3 vs the Cavs in the regular season, winning the only game on April 12 while the Cavs Big 3 rested meaning they didn't beat the Cavs all season.
Demar Derozan averaged over 29 points in the three contests while his backcourt mate Kyle Lowry averaged 23 points and seven assists. Serge Ibaka didn't play in any of the four contests but did have 19 points and seven rebounds in his only game vs the Cavs while a member of the Orlando Magic.
Kevin Love had a double double in all three contests but shot 19/49 from the field. LeBron James averaged 27 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists and Kyrie Irving averaged 24 points and five assists but had games of seven turnovers and six turnovers.
The Cavs should win this series simply because of their offensive weapons. The Raptors can't outscore the Cavs but this will be a long series for the Cavs if they haven't fixed their defensive problems. Cavs win in five games.
