The weather is getting warmer and summer is just around the corner, that means it’s time for the NBA playoffs.
This season has already been a memorable one.
The legend, Kobe Bryant, ended his illustrious career with a year long farewell tour.
The Golden State Warriors engraved their names in history by beating the NBA single season wins record, previously held by the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls.
The last night of the NBA season featured both games, making the momentum going into the playoffs incredibly fierce.
Since this season was nothing less than legendary, the playoffs are bound to pack the same excitement.
Indiana Pacers (45-37) vs. Toronto Raptors (56-26)
The first matchup of the playoffs comes from two teams in the Eastern conference.
The Pacers and Raptors have not found much success in the last decade, but over the past couple of years, the teams have gotten a slew of young talent and growing fan bases.
The Raptors finished second in the conference and are riding a four game win streak coming into the playoffs.
The Pacers have also had late success, winning their last three games.
The Pacers finished the season in the seventh spot, just in front of the Pistons.
DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry are the Raptors leading scorers and they will both need to keep up the same pace they had in the regular season if the team wants to reach the finals.
Paul George has been the Pacers offense all season. If they want any chance at snagging this series from the Raptors, players like Monta Ellis or George Hill are going to need to step up in a big way.
Raptors win in 4.
Houston Rockets (41-41) vs. Golden State Warriors (73-9)
This is probably the most anticipated series in the first round.
It will attract fans exclusively because the Warriors are playing, but since they are up against a team that features stars like Dwight Howard and James Harden, its more intriguing.
The Rockets could only come away with a .500 record in the season, which is nowhere close to the Warriors record-breaking year.
Do not count the Rockets out though, with stars like Harden and Howard, it will not be a guaranteed series win for the Warriors.
If the Rockets find a magical way to shut down Stephen Curry it could make for an interesting series.
However, no team the Warriors faced this season figured out how to shut Curry down, so it does not look promising for the Rockets.
Warriors win in 5.
Boston Celtics (48-34) vs. Atlanta Hawks (48-34)
As it shows in their records, both of these teams are evenly matched, but the Celtics have shown that they can shine in the big game.
They were one of the few teams to hand the Warriors a loss this season and they also found a way to beat the Cleveland Cavilers.
Isaiah Thomas is the Celtics leading scorer and they will need him to do the same in the playoffs.
Celtics win in six.
Oklahoma City Thunder (55-27) vs. Dallas Mavericks (42-40)
The Thunder had an outstanding season, but have not been talked about much because the San Antonio Spurs and Warriors had even better seasons.
Arguably, Russell Westbrook would be the MVP if Curry did not have the season he did. Backing up Westbrook is Kevin Durant, who could possibly be the best player in the NBA in the next couple of years.
The Thunder will make a joke of the Mavericks and run right to the next round.
Thunder win in 4.
Detroit Pistons (44-38) vs. Cleveland Cavilers (57-25)
It was refreshing to not hear much about Lebron this season, but his team did have a good year.
The only reason they had a good year is because they have many super stars on their team.
Team chemistry was a problem for the Cavilers all season long and will continue to be a problem in the playoffs if they do not figure it out quick.
The Pistons are a young team and could test the Cavilers in all facets of the game.
But Lebron and the Cavs will be too much for the Pistons and they will take the series.
Cavilers win in 5.
Memphis Grizzles (42-40) vs. San Antonio Spurs (67-15)
The Grizzles moral is at an all-time low. They lost their last game to the Warriors in which they handed them the record for the best season in NBA history.
Not only that, they have to face the second best team in basketball in the first round of the playoffs.
The Spurs had the second best record this season and this is the best Spurs team that there has ever been.
Not only are Tony Parker and Tim Duncan playing like they are 24 years old again, but the Spurs have a stud that is actually 24 named Kawhi Leonard.
This could be the real big three in the NBA.
The Grizzles will not put up a fight for the Spurs and they will roll over just like an old dog.
Spurs win in 4.
Charlotte Hornets (48-34) vs. Miami Heat (48-34)
Hornets owner, Michael Jordan, has had a rough year. He watched his Alma mater, North Carolina, get beat on a buzzer beater in the national championship game, and he saw his record-breaking 1995-1996 season get wiped away by the Warriors. Unfortunately, it's about to get worse.
The Hornets do not have enough veteran playoff experience to lift them over the Miami Heat, who have stars like Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh who have multiple championships under their belts.
Heat win in 6.
Portland Trail Blazers (44-38) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (53-29)
There is a new sheriff in town; the Clippers made the payoffs and the Lakers did not.
The Clippers recently got Blake Griffin back in the lineup, which will be huge for this series.
With the combination of Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, and Griffin, they will be tough to stop.
Damian Lillard will keep the series close for the Trail Blazers, but he will not be able to do it alone.
Clippers win in 6.
