10 Matchups We Want To See In The 2017 NBA Playoffs
8. Eastern Conference First Round: No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Miami Heat/Milwaukee Bucks
Just as long as the 8-seed in the Eastern Conference doesn’t go to the Detroit Pistons or Chicago Bulls, we’ll be happy with the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ first round opponent.
It’s nothing personal, Bulls and Pistons fans, but you can’t deny that seeing the defending champs face one of these two teams in the first round would be WAYYYY more enjoyable.
Honestly, I'd rather a team that really wants to get in get a spot. I'd rather watch Giannis v LeBron than 4 games of 12 point Piston 1Qs.
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) March 17, 2017
While the Bulls are a drama-fueled dumpster fire and the Pistons are a massive disappointment, the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks have been two of the league’s hottest and most enjoyable teams over the last few weeks.
After starting the season 11-30, the Heat have reeled off wins in 24 of their last 29 games. From Erik Spoelstra’s masterful coaching job to Goran Dragic looking like the 2013-14 version of himself that earned Third Team All-NBA honors to Hassan Whiteside‘s interior prowess to James Johnson being a Swiss Army knife off the bench to the high-flying Tyler Johnson, there’s a TON to like here.
Our only regret is that in a potential rematch between LeBron James and his old team, Dion Waiters may not be healthy in time for a couple of playoff revenge games.
Dion Waiters hits daggers 3 from deep, then talks trash to Cavs fans pic.twitter.com/wvbskvaOAU
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) March 7, 2017
As for the Bucks, they’ve won 10 of their last 12 games and a healthy Khris Middleton has been a more than viable replacement for the injured Jabari Parker. Milwaukee has climbed the Eastern ladder all the way to No. 6, but currently holds only a one-game lead over Miami at No. 8 and is tied with the Indiana Pacers’ record at 36-35.
In one matchup, we’d be getting a red-hot Heat team that ranks fifth in defensive rating and, with a healthy Dion Waiters, a potential revenge series. In the other, we’d at least be getting Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. LeBron James in a preview of the NBA’s future changing of the guard.
Either way, we just want the Cavs to face more of a challenge on their path back to the NBA Finals, and even if neither team presents a serious threat to Cleveland as an upset, they both would at least make them work a little bit.