NBA Playoffs 2016: 5 Bold Predictions
The 2016 NBA Playoffs stage is set for 16 teams to grind out the next two months to crown an eventual champion. Here are five bold predictions to get you to the opening tip.
Each year, 16 teams enter the NBA Playoffs following an 82-game season, and this year is no different. The buzz around the NBA is still about Kobe Bryant’s incredible 60-point performance in his final game for the Los Angeles Lakers, but the page must be turned.
The Golden State Warriors enter the playoffs having broken the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls record for most wins (73) in a season. The San Antonio Spurs begin their title quest having tied the 1986 Boston Celtics team for best home record (40-1). These two teams boast the best records in the NBA and look like the two clear favorites to emerge on top in June, when the NBA champion is crowned.
Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers may pose as the only two threats to the top two seeds. The Thunder enter the playoffs as the third seed in the Western Conference. Behind superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder will be a tough out in the playoffs with a great supporting cast.
The Clippers, on the other hand, haven’t put it all together yet. They were without Blake Griffin for more than 40 games and only saw his return on Apr. 3. Chris Paul has been very good this season and his leadership skills should help the Clippers jell and rebuild their chemistry quickly. If they can stay healthy, a potential second-round matchup with the Warriors could make for an upset.
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In the Eastern Conference, all the attention will be on the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. They have had an up-and-down season emotionally. Head coach David Blatt was fired in late January and days later Cleveland hired Tyronn Lue. Reports broke throughout the season of the possibility of trading forward Kevin Love, LeBron James’ frustrations with the team and even thoughts of The King leaving town after the season. Throw all that aside and the Cavaliers look poised to get back to the NBA Finals.
That may not happen if the Toronto Raptors have something to say about it. The East’s No. 2 seed had its first 50-win season in franchise history and will be looking to avenge last season’s first-round sweep at the hands of the Washington Wizards. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan will lead the Raptors with great guard play, using last year’s early exit as motivation.
Perhaps the Eastern Conference will steal the spotlight from the Western Conference by having a couple of first-round upsets. Brad Stevens has his fifth-seeded Boston Celtics playing well, having won five of their last seven games, including a win over the Warriors.
Kemba Walker has emerged as one of the top point guards in the game and the sixth-seeded Charlotte Hornets will need him to be a playmaker to have success in the playoffs. The Detroit Pistons have snapped a seven-year postseason drought by making the playoffs behind Stan Van Gundy’s leadership, but can they overthrow the top-seeded Cavaliers?
Throw out what happened in the regular season, and everybody starts at 0-0. The first team to 16 wins will be crowned NBA champions. Upsets are a possibility and game-winners are what fans live for, but here are five bold predictions that the casual NBA fan may not see coming.
Next: Upset In The East