In case you haven’t noticed … which makes stumbling upon the blog all the more random for you… the NBA season ends in a few weeks.
Teams are down to their final 7-10 games. The playoffs will be great because they’re always great, but a host of matchups could add to the intrigue. So if your team is prepping for next season, locked into a playoff, or you’re just totally indifferent and have no team, here are the five first-round playoff matchups you should be rooting for if you want your “I have to stay up and watch this, even if it dooms me at work tomorrow” bone scratched.
5. Warriors vs. Rockets
There’s still this theory out there that the Rockets could find the light switch on the way to the bathroom in the dark, just in time to lift the bowl and sit down. The more likely scenario is that it’s just a Port-O-Potty in the dark and as we all know, those don’t have electricity.
Still, the drama of an implosion — runner-up in the Western Conference last year, eighth-seeded lamb being led to the slaughter versus the Warriors this year — carries mild interest. Adding to the intrigue of the series is the fact that the Warriors beat the Rockets in last year’s playoffs and are close to setting an NBA record in team wins in a season.
Let’s put it this way: Rockets-Warriors would carry more interest than any other first-round matchup involving the Warriors, even though the series might last only four games. At least during the 20-point thrashings, the world can debate what version of Houston, once a league favorite to make the Finals when the season started, we will see next fall.
4. Cavs vs. Bulls
Part of this takes into account the fact that if the Bulls are here, it’s because they’re hot and would have snuck in on a bit of a streak. Who knows what to make of Cleveland, in the news for all the wrong reasons lately? The last thing the Cavs would want is an improving veteran team used to winning in the postseason, running on the rejuvenation of having a shot they probably thought they might not have had. Beware those used to winning when you let them in the door to the party.
3. Heat vs. Hornets
The Hornets have been a simply scalding 19-5 since Feb. 6, and the Heat obviously have that playoff pedigree where you expect them to maximize whatever they have in the tank when the Second Season starts. This would be a new spot for the Hornets’ franchise, and surely Buzz City would be rocking with the opportunity to not be a late-playoff throw-in who is there just to fill a few time slots for five games, max. Miami hasn’t been nearly as scalding as the bugs, but has posted a more than respectable 11-4 mark since the end of February. While it’s possible the Heat will catch the Hawks for the third spot, having to play five of their last seven against teams that are trying to make the playoffs will make it a tall order. Besides, if the Heat win, we all want to see them against Cleveland… and they could fall all the way to the sixth spot.
2. Heat vs. Celtics
Who doesn’t want to see Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett against Lebron, Dwyane Wade, vets versus team trying to get over them … wait, wrong year. No, this would be a great tilt. The C’s have been a bit hit or miss lately, but gained valuable playoff experience last season by getting in late and pushing Cleveland. Neither team would be an easy out, and both come in with expectations that they can make a legitimate run. The C’s would need to hope the positive part of their streakiness comes with them to the playoffs. They’ve had stretches of five straight wins, four straight losses, and then four straight wins since the end of February.
1. Clippers vs. Grizzlies
We’re in luck, because this one has a damn good chance of happening.
CNN would have called it by now. Actually, they’d have called it a month ago, but I digress. If this was a street fight, the Grizzlies would be favored in 3 games even though you have to win 4. The Grizzlies have been chilly, though, winners of only 4 of their last 12. The teams have split the season series thus far, but play once more. While the term “finesse team” gets thrown around too often, without nuance, and with a negative connotation, the Clippers don’t beat you in a bare-knuckle brawl which leaves you unable to feel pain. They’re more slick than that. Slick versus street fight would be fun.
