Ahead of the first NBA Playoff games Pinnacle Sports' NBA head trader gives his thoughts on the First round games in both the Western and Eastern Conferences. Do you agree with our NBA oddsmaker?
Western Conference – First Round Playoffs
Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Exciting times for both teams.
The Warriors posted the best record in the NBA at 67-15 - despite playing in the power-packed West - while going a terrifying 39-2 at home, the joint-second best record in NBA history.
The Warriors outscored their opponents for the season by a whopping average of 10.1 points per game
Likely MVP winner Stephen Curry leads an athletic, smart, deep group, which can dominate, on either end of the court. The Warriors outscored their opponents for the season by a whopping average of 10.1 points per game.
The Pelicans return to the playoffs for the first time in the post Chris Paul era, led by 22-year-old PF/C starlet Anthony Davis.
The Warriors won the season series 3-1, but two of the Pelicans losses came without Davis on the court, while they won the final meeting quite recently, a 103-100 home victory.
Bet the Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans series now.
L.A. Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs
The best first round match-up in terms of talent – possibly ever.
The Clippers were white-hot down the stretch, winning 14 of their final 15 games, but with few challenging opponents.
Home court edge keeps this from being an obvious Spurs' advance. The Clippers have a potent trio of Paul, Griffin and Jordan...comparative team depth is a big disadvantage for them against the Spurs, but not quite as relevant in the playoffs.
The defending champions Spurs also crushed the end of their schedule, winning 11 of 12 and 21 of 25.
Kahwi Leonard and a healthier Tony Parker were the difference-makers in their late season ascension, which nonetheless was derailed in their loss to the Pelicans on the final night.
This season they split their four meetings. The Clippers won the last two, but both teams have been dominant since then.
The Spurs swept aside the Clippers in the playoffs three years ago, however much has changed for LA, in particular, since then.
See the latest odds on the L.A. Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs series.
Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks
A Texas war.
From the owners to the players, these two franchises just don't like each other, adding spice to the natural playoff intensity.
The Rockets have had a terrific season, despite Center Dwight Howard missing half their games (he's fairly healthy now), and several others being in and out of the line-up.
James "The Beard" Harden is the biggest reason, with both his beautiful and crafty offense and his noticeably improved defense and leadership.
The Mavs are always a threat under the savvy guidance of Coach Carlisle but Dirk has clearly dropped off this year, the addition of Rajon Rondo has had limited success, and the team D beyond Tyson Chandler, is awful.
Houston won the season series 3-1, while Howard missed three of those games, including the only Rocket loss.
Get the best odds for the Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks series.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Without the sex appeal of the other West match-ups, but someone has to advance.
The Blazers have been hit hard by recent injuries, most notably to Wes Matthews, a fine 3-pt shooter, ace defender and vocal team leader.
Aldridge and Batum aren't too healthy and Matthews' back-up Aaron Afflalo will miss the post-season. The Blazers can score with Aldridge and Lillard, but their defence isn't playoff caliber right now.
The 2014-5 edition of the Grizzlies is familiar...you either like their NBA-rare "Grit-n-Grind" approach to the game, or you don't.
Memphis possess good leadership and play tough D most of the time, but they haven't solved their outside shooting deficiencies enough.
See the latest odds for the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers series.
Eastern Conference – First Round Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
JAMES & CO. vs. the Celtic kids.
Lebron James has helped this fresh blend of Cavaliers come together just in time to give him a shot at a fifth consecutive Finals.
Kyrie Irving has finally matched the hype surrounding him, whereas Kevin Love has proven an awkward fit so far.
Lebron James has helped this fresh blend of Cavaliers come together just in time to give him a shot at a fifth consecutive Finals
The Cavs astutely added to their core around mid-season - Timofey Mozgov, JR Smith and Iman Shumpert are a huge reason the Cavs may go far. There is a ton of O here, but are these guys ready for the sort of D it usually takes to go deep in the playoffs?
Coach Stevens has worked some real magic in leading his Boston charges to a great season finish and another franchise battle with a Lebron James' team.
Stevens is a young master of preparation and inspiration - don't be shocked if the Celtics win a couple of games.
They split the series 2-2, although the two losses came in the past week with the Cavs somewhat or completely taking it easy.
Bet the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics series now.
Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards
Looks like a good, even match between two unpredictable teams.
The Raptors began the season on fire at 24-7. An injury to DeMar DeRozan eventually caught up with them, Kyle Lowry ran out of gas and their defense disintegrated.
Just lately they appear to have found themselves enough to be a bit of a tough outfit again.
The Wizards have also gone through phases of looking solid, only to look miserable for another stretch. PG John Wall remains their engine on both sides of the court.
Toronto swept the series 3-0, but these teams haven't squared off in two months, which could be a factor here.
See the latest odds for the Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards series.
Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Expressway series (90 miles apart).
The Bulls' season understandably has focused on Derrick Rose's bumpy comeback season from nearly two full years off.
Fortunately, room has been made for Chicago to embrace 34-year-old Pau Gasol and his return to All-Star form. Gasol has posted double-doubles (10+ pts and rebounds) in nearly 70% of the Bulls' games.
Noah, Gibson and Hinrich are all a bit nicked, while Rose recently returned from an in-season surgery. He looks decent at times, but not peaking with the sort of form he rates to need to fuel a long Chicago playoff run.
The Bucks are a major surprise. Jason Kidd took the helm of some decent youngsters and a batch of middling veterans.
Give the players credit, but Kidd and his staff at least as much for getting this motley crew to believe and play with a lot of energy (especially on D) through most of the 82-game grind.
In the Regular season the Bulls took 3 of 4 from Milwaukee, with the Bucks winning the most recent clash, at home.
Get the best odds for the Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks series.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets
Which Hawks will show up?
Atlanta had a great season, which was a big surprise. They locked up the #1 East seed with a few weeks to go, having gone on a spectacular 33-2 run from late November to the end of January.
They've gone 20-14 since, but they were being careful with starters' minutes for the final 4-5 weeks. Other than Paul Millsap's shoulder issue, the Hawks should be quite fresh.
They have no prominent stars, but plenty of solid talent. ATL has a great court dynamic/chemistry, featuring unselfishness and fine communication.
The Nets survived the 8th seed battle by the skin of their teeth. Brook Lopez's return to 2012-13 form toward the finish line was the big story.
However, team speed is lacking, as is the sort of consistency on either end of the court to pull off a major upset.
In the Regular season the Hawks beat the Nets in all four meetings, and two were heavy.
See the latest odds for the Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets series.
