Power Ranking the Playoff Teams
*=last game in progress is meaningless to seeding
16) PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
Seeding and Record: 8 Seed in West, 41-40 overall*
Injuries: PF Ed Davis (C Festus Ezeli has missed entire season)
Starting Five:
C Jusuf Nurkic 10.2 PPG
PF Noah Vonleh 4.3 PPG
SF Maurice Harkless 10 PPG
SG CJ McCollum 23 PPG
PG Damian Lillard 27 PPG
Nine-Man Rotation: G/F Allen Crabbe, G/F Evan Turner, F Al-Farouq Aminu, F/C Meyers Leonard
This team really took off when Jusuf Nurkic was traded in from Denver for Mason Plumlee, and ironically it caused them to jump Denver and eliminate them in the postseason hunt. However, the 8 seed in the West doesn't really matter this season, as the Golden State Warriors will be their opponent once again. While this team did indeed take a Curry-less Warriors' team to six games, it won't be that simple. Plus, Golden State has Kevin Durant now. I think Lillard and McCollum can get them game three in Portland, but they won't win any more.
PREDICTION: Out in 5 in first round
15) CHICAGO BULLS
Seeding and Record: 8 Seed in East, 41-41 overall
Injuries: None
Starting Five:
C Robin Lopez 10.4 PPG
PF Nikola Mirotic 10.7 PPG
SF Jimmy Butler 23.9 PPG
SG Dwyane Wade 18.5 PPG
PG Jerian Grant 5.9 PPG
Nine-Man Rotation: PG Rajon Rondo, F Bobby Portis, PG Michael Carter-Williams, G/F Paul Zipser
The Bulls are a team that uses a lot more than a nine-man rotation, but some players are going to get cut out of the rotation in the playoffs, and these are the guys who I think will see the most action against Boston. I don't think they have a good chance of getting past Boston, but with how balanced the East has been anything is possible. The Bulls are dysfunctional, and the only reason I have them ahead of Portland is because Portland plays the Warriors. With that said, I think the Bulls win a game.
PREDICTION: Out in 5 in first round
14) INDIANA PACERS
Seeding and Record: 7 Seed in East, 42-40 overall
Injuries: None
Starting Five:
C Myles Turner 14.4 PPG
PF Thaddeus Young 11 PPG
SF Paul George 23.6 PPG
SG Monta Ellis 8.6 PPG
PG Jeff Teague 15.2 PPG
Nine-man rotation: G/F CJ Miles, C Al Jefferson, G/F Lance Stephenson, PG Aaron Brooks
I like the Pacers' roster, and love how both George and Turner play basketball. But this team will be going against Cleveland, and everybody has them flipping the switch in the playoffs, right? This team will need guys like Thaddeus Young, Monta Ellis and Al Jefferson to step up big if they don't want to get swept by Cleveland, but I will predict that not happening.
PREDICTION: Swept in first round
13) MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Seeding and Record: 6 Seed in East, 42-40 overall
Injuries: F Jabari Parker
Starting Five:
C Thon Maker 3.9 PPG
PF Giannis Antetokounmpo 22.9 PPG
SF Tony Snell 8.5 PPG
SG Khris Middleton 14.7 PPG
PG Malcolm Brogdon 10.2 PPG
Nine-man rotation: C Greg Monroe, PG Matthew Dellavedova, PF Mirza Teletovic, F Michael Beasley
This team was the best team in the month of March, and the second hottest team behind Miami. They start two rookies, but Maker doesn't play a whole lot in any game. The key for this team is defense and the offensive play of Khris Middleton, and he will need to be huge if they want to have any chance against Toronto.
PREDICTION: Out in 6 in first round
12) ATLANTA HAWKS
Seeding and Record: 5 Seed in East, 43-39 overall
Injuries: None
Starting Five:
C Dwight Howard 13.5 PPG
PF Paul Millsap 18.1 PPG
SF Taurean Prince 5.6 PPG
SG Tim Hardaway 14.5
PG Dennis Schroder 17.9 PPG
Nine-man rotation: G/F Kent Bazemore, G/F Thabo Sefolosha, F Ersan Ilyasova, F/C Mike Muscala
The Hawks are another team that uses a lot of players, and it will be interesting to see how many minutes Schroder plays being the only truly capable point guard in Atlanta. Paul Millsap is this team's best player, and despite being the five seed I have to believe they are heavy underdogs against Washington. I think they can win one or two, but won't get past the Wizards.
PREDICTION: Out in 5 in first round
11) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Seeding and Record: 6th in West, 47-35 overall
Injuries: None
Starting Five:
C Steven Adams 11.4 PPG
PF Taj Gibson 10.8 PPG
SF Andre Roberson 6.6 PPG
SG Victor Oladipo 16 PPG
PG Russell Westbrook 31.9 PPG
Nine-man rotation: F/C Enes Kanter, PF Domantas Sabonis, F Doug McDermott, PG Semaj Christon
This team is all about Russell Westbrook, and I just don't really know how far this team can go in the playoffs with just him on the roster. Yes, players like Kanter, Oladipo and Adams are solid, but they aren't All-Stars and can't play well unless Westbrook does. Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double this season for a reason, and it's because his team has an "I" in it.
PREDICTION: Out in 6 in first round
10) MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Seeding and Record: 7th in West, 43-39 overall
Injuries: SF Chandler Parsons, G/F James Ennis
Starting Five:
C Marc Gasol 19.6 PPG
PF JaMychal Green 9 PPG
SF Vince Carter 8.1 PPG
SG Tony Allen 9.1 PPG
PG Mike Conley 20.6 PPG
Nine-man rotation: PF Zach Randolph, F/C Brandan Wright, SG Troy Daniels, PG Andrew Harrison
Memphis is in an interesting predicament, as they once again have the San Antonio Spurs after struggling their way into the postseason. This time, however, they aren't counting on Matt Barnes to be their second best player, as they are much healthier. However, even with Marc Gasol and Mike Conley playing, I don't see the Grizzlies getting past the Spurs, although I also don't see them getting swept.
PREDICTION: Out in 6 in first round
9) WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Seeding and Record: 4th in East, 49-33 overall
Injuries: C Ian Mahinmi
Starting Five:
C Marcin Gortat 10.7 PPG
PF Markieff Morris 14 PPG
SF Otto Porter 13.5 PPG
SG Bradley Beal 23.1 PPG
PG John Wall 23.1 PPG
Nine-man rotation: G/F Bojan Bogdanovic, PG Brandon Jennings, F/C Jason Smith, G/F Kelly Oubre
This team is probably the most dependent on its' starting five in the playoffs, even with the midseason additions of Bogdanovic and Jennings. However, this is a really good starting five, and one that is good enough, led by John Wall, to take them at least to the second round of the playoffs. I think they will give Boston a scare, but won't get past them.
PREDICTION: Out in 7 in East Semifinals
8) UTAH JAZZ
Seeding and Record: 51-31, (likely) 5th in West
Injuries: None
Starting Five:
C Rudy Gobert 14 PPG
PF Derrick Favors 9.6 PPG
SF Gordan Hayward 22 PPG
SG Rodney Hood 12.7 PPG
PG George Hill 17 PPG
Nine-man rotation: G/F Joe Johnson, G Alec Burks, F/C Boris Diaw, SF Joe Ingles
This team is the deepest in the postseason in my opinion, but I also don't believe that it will have much of an effect. The additions of Johnson, Hill and Diaw to add veteran presences here in Utah were nice, but I don't think it is quite enough yet to get this team over the hump. They haven't been to the postseason since Deron Williams was on the team, and it will likely mean they struggle in their first attempt back at it.
PREDICTION: Out in 5 in first round
7) TORONTO RAPTORS
Seeding and Record: 3rd in East, 51-31 overall
Injuries: None
Starting Five:
C Jonas Valanciunas 12 PPG
PF Serge Ibaka 14.8 PPG
SF DeMarre Carroll 9 PPG
SG DeMar DeRozan 27.3 PPG
PG Kyle Lowry 22.6 PPG
Nine-man rotation: G Cory Joseph, PF Patrick Patterson, G/F PJ Tucker, G/F Norman Powell
The additions of Ibaka and Tucker helped make this team tied for second in the East, but the real benefit this team will get is the injury to Kyle Lowry that forced this team to learn how to win without him. Toronto will be headed back to the postseason with home-court, and will look to avenge its' Eastern Conference Finals loss last season.
PREDICTION: Out in 7 in East Semifinals
6) LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Seeding and Record: 4th in West, 50-31 overall (have lead on Kings in 4th quarter)
Injuries: None
Starting Five:
C DeAndre Jordan 12.6 PPG
PF Blake Griffin 21.7 PPG
SF Luc Mbah a Moute 5.9 PPG
SG JJ Redick 15 PPG
PG Chris Paul 18.1 PPG
Nine-man rotation: SG Jamal Crawford, G Austin Rivers, F/C Marressee Speights, SF Paul Pierce
Going eight deep, this team is as good as most, and I believe the Clippers will once again have an opportunity to knock on the door of that elusive Western Conference Finals. Unfortunately for them, they are playing against one of the best three-year teams in NBA history in the Golden State Warriors in that round, and this might be the end of Lob City.
PREDICTION: Swept in West Seminfinals
5) BOSTON CELTICS
Seeding and Record: 1st in West, 53-29 overall
Injuries: None
Starting Five:
C Al Horford 14 PPG
PF Amir Johnson 6.4 PPG
SF Jae Crowder: 13.8 PPG
SG Avery Bradley 16.4 PPG
PG Isaiah Thomas 29.1 PPG
Nine-man rotation: PG Marcus Smart, F/C Kelly Olynyk, G/F Jaylen Brown, F Jonas Jerebko
Having the one seed in the conference and likely first overall pick in the draft is rare, but Danny Ainge has pulled it off without acquiring a true superstar. The leading scorer in the fourth quarter in the NBA, All-Star Isaiah Thomas, will argue against that, but Boston is a team filled with very good players. I don't think they are ready to take down LeBron yet, though.
PREDICTION: Out in 6 in East Finals
4) HOUSTON ROCKETS
Seeding and Record: 3rd in West, 55-27 overall
Injuries: SF Sam Dekker
Starting Five:
C Clint Capela 12.4 PPG
PF Ryan Anderson 13.5 PPG
SF Trevor Ariza 11.7 PPG
SG James Harden 29.1 PPG
PG Patrick Beverley 9.5 PPG
Nine-man rotation: SG Eric Gordon, G Lou Williams, F/C Nene, F Montrezl Harrell
Houston has my choice for sixth man, coach of the year, and MVP this season, but as we all know, the Spurs are the Spurs, and nobody should underestimate them. I have a feeling that they are as good as usual, but nobody is paying attention to them. As for Houston, they will do pretty well stopping OKC, but I can't see them getting past San Antonio.
PREDICTION: Out in 5 in West Semifinals
3) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Seeding and Record: 2nd in East, 51-31 overall
Injuries: None
Starting Five:
C Tristan Thompson 8.1 PPG
PF Kevin Love 19 PPG
SF LeBron James 26.4 PPG
SG JR Smith 8.7 PPG
PG Kyrie Irving 25.2 PPG
Nine-man rotation: PG Deron Williams, SG Kyle Kover, F/C Channing Frye, G/F Iman Shumpert
The Cavaliers struggled down the stretch, rested players, played bad defense, and I still think they can get to the Finals. I don't want them to, I'm so tired of LeBron always being there, but Boston isn't ready to stop them and Toronto is just Toronto. Indiana is the first round opponent, who they will sleepwalk through. The Finals is a different story, however.
PREDICTION: Out in 6 in NBA Finals
2) GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Seeding and Record: 1st in West, 67-15 overall
Injuries: None
Starting Five:
C Zaza Pachulia 6.1 PPG
PF Draymond Green 10.2 PPG
SF Kevin Durant 25 PPG
SG Klay Thompson 22.5 PPG
PG Stephen Curry 25.4 PPG
Nine-man rotation: G/F Andre Iguodala, PG Shaun Livingston, F/C David West, F Matt Barnes
Amazing that the Warriors are 67-15 and some people think this season was a letdown. This team is as deep as it is top-heavy, and should be every bit as frightening as the preseason predictions have led them believe to be. But, three identical Finals' in a row has never happened, and for some reason I just believe that this is the Spurs' year. Oh, and Klay Thompson has averaged a career high in points, surprisingly.
PREDICTION: Out in 7 in West Finals
1) SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Seeding and Record: 2nd in West, 61-21 overall
Injuries: None
Starting Five:
C DeWayne Dedmon 5.1 PPG
PF LaMarcus Aldridge 17.3 PPG
SF Kawhi Leonard 25.7 PPG
SG Danny Green 7.4 PPG
PG Tony Parker 10.1 PPG
Nine-man rotation: F/C Pau Gasol, SG Manu Ginobili, PG Patty Mills, G/F Jonathan Simmons
No Tim Duncan? No problem in my opinion. This team has won 60+ games again, and has won three out of four over the Warriors. I don't know why I think they can win game seven in Oakland, I just do. Who knows, maybe the Spurs will do the most Spurs thing ever and come back from being down 3-0 in the West Finals. This team is deep, great at defense, and has a two-way superstar in Kawhi Leonard. My head says Warriors, but my gut says Spurs. My gut is bigger, so I'm choosing the Spurs.
PREDICTION: NBA Champions
