After a quite boring first round, we now enter the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Hopefully, that means that the action will start to pick up with some better match-ups.
We will not be disappointed this time around. First, the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder will meet in a rematch of the 2014 Western Conference Finals after they both breezed through their first round match-ups with no problems.
The Golden State Warriors have lost Steph Curry for two weeks, but they did not lose a beat as they dispatched the Houston Rockets in five games and should have no problem beating the Portland Trail Blazers.
Out east, it’s a rematch of last year’s conference finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks meeting. The Cavs made quick work of the Detroit Pistons, sweeping them in four games, and the Hawks beat the Boston Celtics in six games.
And finally, the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat will duke it out after two grueling seven game series.
The big question going forward is who is to watch closely as we move closer to the NBA Finals.
Golden State Warriors
No Steph Curry for two weeks? No problem for these Warriors. The Warriors have not lost a beat without the presence of Curry, the sure-fire MVP candidate.
The reason the Warriors have kept on rolling is due to the amount of depth they have on their team. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have helped carry this team for better or worse, shouldering as much of the load as Curry has.
Coach Steve Kerr was also just named Coach of the Year for the first time in his coaching career after being out most of the season recovering from back surgery.
Going forward, the Warriors’ biggest test will come in the conference finals and the NBA Finals. By then, Curry should be back in action.
San Antonio Spurs
What’s this I’m hearing about those guys from San Antonio not keeping up with the young, flashy Warriors?
After a sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies and a matchup with a familiar foe, Oklahoma City Thunder, I’m ready to believe anything is possible at this point.
Kawai Leonard, Finals MVP two years ago, has carried this team on his back so far, averaging 21.3 points a game and almost three steals per game this postseason. With the steady hand of coach Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan, the Spurs are poised to win one more NBA title with their Big Three of Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili before those guys look at their options for next year.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Is this finally the year Cleveland breaks through?
With everyone healthy and breezing through the series with the Detroit Pistons, one would certainly hope so.
Lebron James has been his usual self but he hasn’t been doing it all alone this post-season like he did last year. Kyrie Irving, injured through the last half of the playoffs last year, has provided much-needed assistance with 27.5 points a game to go along with nearly five assists.
Kevin Love has also been putting in his fair share of offense with 18.8 points and 12 rebounds a game so far this postseason.
With a series against the Atlanta Hawks coming up, the Cavs look to continue their hot streak in the playoffs and get a second crack at the Finals.
Conclusion
As the NBA playoffs progress, it will be interesting to see who can surprise and who can power their way to the NBA Finals. But these three teams are the favorites until someone else comes along and proves they can take it away.
