Three Thoughts Midway Through The First Round

We’re halfway through the first round of the NBA Playoffs and some things aren’t exactly what we thought they would be while some were exactly what we thought they’d be.

That being said, here are three thoughts as we go into the backend of the first round:

THOUGHT #1: Can anyone beat the Cavs?

Right now, it’s looking like no one can. Lebron James and his cohorts have been able to find ways to win, even though it hasn’t been pretty. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love have their moments but the Cavs are fueled by the will of King James and right now, no one can match him.

Extra thought: Kyle Korver was supposed to be the piece that would make the Cavs near invincible. So far, he’s been outplayed by the likes of Richard Jefferson and Iman Shumpert.

First Round Predictions

Here we go!

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls - Celtics win, 4-1.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers - Cavs win, 4-1.
Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks - Raptors win 4-2
Washington Wizards vs Atlanta Hawks - Hawks wins 4-2

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trailblazers - Warriors win 4-1
San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies - Spurs win 4-0
Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder - Rockets win 4-3
 LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz - Clippers win 4-2

Let the games begin!

Must-Watch Match Ups of the NBA's First Round

Of course we'd like to watch all the matchups. But that's just not possible. If you have to choose, then pick these three matchups.

TOP PICK: OKC Thunder vs Houston Rockets.
Russell Westbrook versus James Harden, in the first round? The basketball gods must be crazy! This series should put a giant punctuation mark on someone's MVP candidacy...or raise even more questions. Either way, expect this series to be about firepower and not much defense. Plus, Westbrook knows he's got to get past Harden if he wants a shot at Durant.

SECOND PICK: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers
On paper, this shouldn't be an easy out for the Cavs. Paul George may not be Lebron James but he's a top 15, maybe top 10 player in the league. Kyrie Irving may be better than Jeff Teague but again, not by a lot. Kevin Love is where they have a big advantage  (over Thaddeus Young) but the youngster Myles Turner is already much better than Tristan Thompson. Cavs should win but I have a feeling they're gonna bleed in every game.

THIRD PICK: Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are who I thought the Minnesota Timberwolves were going to be, a young, frothing-at-the-mouth-pack-of-rabid-ballers who will keep on swinging until the final buzzer rang. Also...Giannis Antetokounmpo in a playoff series? I'm salivating already at the thought of him throwing down from the freethrow line at the Bradley Center.