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NBA: Previewing The Eastern Conference First Round Matchups

By Jared Brownlee

Feb 27, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) chats with New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) chats with New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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3- Toronto Raptors vs. 6- Washington Wizards, 3-1 Raptors won season series

Nov 22, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) passes the ball as Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (3) defends at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Wizards 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) passes the ball as Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (3) defends at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Wizards 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

After signing an extension with the team before the season began, John Wall is on the verge of leading the Wizards back into the playoffs for the first time since the 2007-08 season. The matchups that stand out on paper: Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan against Wall and Bradley Beal. Both teams have a lot of young talent, and this series would be decided by coaching and execution down the stretch.