NBA first round playoff predictions from DWW

It’s that time of year again – the NBA Playoffs are upon us. And once again, our Minnesota Timberwolves will be at home watching the games unfold on television. Sigh.

Hopefully in the near future, I’ll be able to write a playoff prediction article with the Wolves included. As we’ve mentioned plenty of times before on this site, it can be done in the next few years with all the talent on this squad. However, talent alone isn’t enough to win. If the team can gel together in the next couple of seasons, we could see this team fighting for a playoff spot in 2017.

In the meantime, the 2015 NBA Playoffs will continue on without any more Andrew Wiggins posterizations or Zach LaVine pull-up treys. Here’s a quick look at the first round matchups, with my series predictions included as well.

Western Conference Matchups

Apr 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) drives past Golden State Warriors forward David Lee (10) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans

Warriors win series 4-2

Many expect the Warriors to run away with this series in four or five games, but I think the Pelicans will make it a bit more interesting. Jrue Holiday has recently returned from injury, which will give a nice addition to the backcourt along with the likes of Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon. Additionally, Anthony Davis is arguably the best big man in the NBA and Omer Asik isn’t too shabby of a frontcourt counterpart for Davis (although Andrew Wiggins may disagree). The Pelicans should match up pretty well with the Warriors in the frontcourt, but the backcourt will obviously be what gives the Warriors the big edge. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are just too good.

Mar 21, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) handles the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the game at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat Portland Trail Blazers 97-86 Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

(4) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies

Grizzlies win series 4-2

This will be an interesting matchup because I really like Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge. However, I’m a bigger fan of the Grizzlies and the way they play basketball. Marc Gasol is underrated in my eyes, especially as a defender. The Grizzlies swept the season series with Portland, and I think the way they match up with the Blazers will make it easy for them to take this series.

February 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) blocks a scoring attempt by San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter (22) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

(3) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (6) San Antonio Spurs

Spurs win series 4-3

To me, this is the most intriguing series in the Western Conference and maybe in the entire playoffs. The Clippers can be a dangerous team now that Blake Griffin is healthy again and teamed up with DeAndre Jordan in the middle. It’s really a shame for the Clippers that they’re matched up against the Spurs, because the Spurs just know how to get it done. They’re just one of those teams that’s really tough to pick against for me, and that veteran leadership and experience is what will give them a slight edge in this series.

Apr 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) sets the play during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks

Rockets win series 4-1

The Mavericks are an interesting team, and they definitely could be a dangerous team in these playoffs. However, the Rockets are just too good. The Mavericks won’t have an answer for James Harden, and the three-point shooting of Houston will propel them as well as the play of Harden.

Eastern Conference Matchups

Apr 8, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) defends against Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) during second half at Barclays Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 114-111. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (8) Brooklyn Nets

Hawks win series 4-0

There’s not much that needs to be said here. The Nets are not a playoff team, and they’re only in the playoffs because they’re in the weak Eastern Conference. The Hawks are just a far superior team and I expect at least a couple of these games to be blowouts.

Jan 31, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) attempts a shot as Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson (15) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

(4) Toronto Raptors vs. (5) Washington Wizards

Wizards win series 4-2

I was a big fan of the Raptors during the middle of the season as they were really playing well. Down the stretch, they have somewhat struggled and fallen to the fourth seed. John Wall will be the best player on the floor throughout the series, and he will be able to consistently exploit his matchup with Kyle Lowry. Additionally, I like the frontcourt tandem of Marcin Gortat and Nene. Give me the Wizards here in a little bit of an upset.

Apr 1, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 95-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks

Bulls win series 4-3

The Milwaukee Bucks are a team that could scare the Bulls here. There is a whole lot of talent on this Bucks team between the Greek Freak and Michael Carter-Williams in the starting lineup and guys like O.J. Mayo, Tyler Ennis and John Henson coming off the bench. The return of Derrick Rose is what will ultimately give the Bulls a slight edge in this series as Carter-Williams will have a tall task in keeping Rose contained. While the Bucks will fall in this series, look for them to be serious contenders in the next few years.

Apr 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Boston Celtics

Cavaliers win series 4-0

This is along the same lines as the Hawks-Nets series in that the Cavaliers were able to draw a team that doesn’t really belong in the playoffs. We all know about LeBron James and Kyrie Irving and the talent on that Cavs team, and it will prove to be just too much for the Celtics. (Notice, I left Kevin Love out of that sentence because, well, we don’t like him.)

To wrap-up, I just want to add that, as always, you should continue to check back with DWW for Timberwolves news updates, draft coverage and opinions, and other NBA playoff coverage. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your Thursday afternoon.

More from Dunking with Wolves

Home/Timberwolves News