While most of the sports world was following the “Fight of the Century” Saturday night between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs was closing in dramatic fashion as Chris Paul banked in a one-hander with a second left to give the Los Angeles Clippers a stunning 4-3 first round victory over the defending world champion San Antonio Spurs. The first round wasn’t the most exciting in history, as three series ended in sweeps and only three went more than five games. The conference semifinals are already underway, but there are a number of things to take away from the first round.
Here are five:
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1. Golden State is a Hungry Team
The league’s best team during the regular season, the Golden State Warriors had the look of a team on a mission against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round. The Warriors met some resistance while taking the first two games at home, but arrived in New Orleans determined to close things out. Trailing by 20 in the fourth quarter of Game 3, Seth Curry and Klay Thompson caught fire late as Golden State prevailed in overtime. In Game 4, the Warriors won by their largest margin of the first round, beating the Pelicans 109-98 in a game that was not as close as the final score.
Golden State may be known for its ability to shoot the 3-ball and score in bunches, but if we learned anything from the first round about the Warriors, it’s that they have the necessary killer instinct to make a run at a championship. Golden State began the second round Sunday with a 101-86 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 18: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls looses control of the ball after it was knocked away by Michael Carter-Williams of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 18, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Bucks 103-91. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agress that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
2. Having Derrick Rose Makes a Big Difference in the Playoffs
For the first time in three years, it’s playoff time for the Chicago Bulls and Derrick Rose is wearing something other than street clothes. The former NBA MVP averaged 19 points and 6.5 assists in Chicago’s first-round victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. He gives the Bulls the look of a contender.
Throughout the playoffs in each of the last two years, the Bulls struggled to find a player through which to run the offense late in games. While Jimmy Butler has had an outstanding season for Chicago, a healthy Derrick Rose eases the pressure on the entire team. Rose’s knee has held up pretty well so far against the wear and tear of the postseason. He played 48 minutes in a 113-106 double-overtime win in Game 3 against the Bucks.
3. A Healthy Dwight Howard is Still Elite
Derailed 41 games by injury this season and overshadowed by teammate James Harden, Houston Rockets’ center Dwight Howard is showing he still has something left in the tank in these playoffs. Howard is the NBA leader in both rebounds and blocks this postseason and was critical in helping Houston dispose of the Dallas Mavericks in five games.
Despite being matched up against former Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler and at times, defensively against future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, Howard excelled on both ends of the floor, averaging 16.6 points, nearly 14 rebounds and three blocks. Howard shot 58 percent from the field during the series and will need to continue to play well to get back to the NBA Finals. He should have his hands full in the conference semifinals however, with the Los Angeles Clippers’ frontcourt of DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin.
4. Boston and Milwaukee Have Bright Futures
Although neither team was able to pull off an improbable upset in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks each seem to have very promising days ahead. Though Boston was swept by Cleveland, the Celtics pushed the Cavaliers in the fourth quarter in each of the final three games. With guard Isaiah Thomas leading the way, each of Boston’s top six scorers during the first round are 26 years old or younger and four are 24 and under.
Milwaukee’s season ended with an embarrassing 120-66 home loss, but not before the Bucks twice staved off elimination. The young backcourt of Khris Middleton and Michael Carter-Williams played well against a veteran Chicago team while 20-year-old Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the league’s most versatile players. Without last year’s second overall pick, Jabari Parker, the Bucks still managed to win a pair of playoff games against a battle-tested Chicago team.
5. Paul Pierce is Still Deadly in the Playoffs
At 37 years old and coming off the worst statistical season of his career, there were legitimate questions as to how much veteran Paul Pierce had left in the tank. After averaging under 12 points per game this season, Pierce showed in the Washington Wizards’ first round series against the Toronto Raptors that he’s still capable of shining in the playoffs.
In a 4-0 sweep of the Raptors, Pierce shot 58 percent from the floor, averaging better than 15 points in just over 28 minutes. Pierce scored in double-figures in each of Washington’s four victories and went 14-for-24 from behind the 3-point arc in the series. Pierce stayed hot Sunday as he scored 19 points to help the Wizards steal Game 1 from the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks.
