2016 NBA Playoffs Picks & Predictions – Eastern Conference Playoff First-Round Series Predictions: The 2015-16 NBA regular season is in the books, and to some degree, the Eastern Conference shook out the way many expected with the Cleveland Cavaliers claiming the top seed. However, the Toronto Raptors finished just a game back of the top spot, and the teams seeded third through sixth all finished with identical records. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards missed the playoffs completely, creating some interesting first-round matchups. Here is a complete rundown of all four first-round Eastern Conference playoff series, along with my predictions.
2016 NBA Playoffs Picks & Predictions – Eastern Conference Playoff First-Round Series Predictions
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Detroit Pistons
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth ride for the Cavaliers, but they still managed to secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and they aren’t losing to the Pistons in the first round. Granted, Detroit has a variety of athletic forwards that they can throw at LeBron James, but even if they aren’t a cohesive unit, the Cavs still have more talent and firepower than the Pistons. Throw in the fact that Andre Drummond’s atrocious free throw shooting prevents him from being a factor down the stretch of games, and James and company will cruise to the second round.
Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers Win in 5 Games
No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have a serious X-factor in forward Paul George, but while he may allow Indiana to steal a game, he can’t win this series by himself. The Raptors have a huge advantage in the backcourt, and George Hill and Monta Ellis aren’t going to be able to contain DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. Meanwhile, the Pacers don’t have an interior scoring option capable of taking over a game. The Raptors claimed the regular season series 3-1 and should continue their dominance in the postseason.
Prediction: Toronto Raptors Win in 5 Games
No. 3 Miami Heat vs. No. 6 Charlotte Hornets
Although the Heat secured home-court advantage by emerging from the logjam of teams lurking below Cleveland and Toronto, they tend to run as hot and cold as any team in the NBA, sometimes during the same game. The individual matchups don’t really favor Miami either. Nicolas Batum should be able to check Dwyane Wade or Luol Deng, but Goran Dragic is going to have his hands full trying to slow down Kemba Walker. Losing Chris Bosh means the Heat are relying solely on the mercurial Hassan Whiteside to carry the load in the paint, and the lapses on both ends that have plagued Miami all season will be costly in the postseason.
Prediction: Charlotte Hornets Win in 6 Games
No. 4 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 5 Boston Celtics
Boston’s Brad Stevens is one of the best young coaches in the NBA, but there is a reason that Atlanta won the regular season series between these teams 3-1. Yes, the Hawks took a step back compared to last season, but they are still a solid team. With Paul Millsap and Al Horford, they Hawks have to skilled big men that should be able to consistently score against Boston’s mediocre interior defense. In fact, Millsap averaged 22.5 points on 57.6 percent shooting against the Celtics. The Hawks also have several long, athletic wing defenders that can slow down Boston’s go-to scorer, Isaiah Thomas. The Celtics will put up a fight, but Atlanta is the better team.
Prediction: Atlanta Hawks Win in 6 Games
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