Purdue Package

Article Written By: Alex Ramsey

April 16th, 2015

NBA PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

THE WEST
Many people will not agree with this, but the Dallas Mavericks are the team to beat in
the Western Conference playoffs. They have had their ups and downs since the trade for Rajon
Rondo mid-season, but it appears that they are finally playing good basketball, winning 4 of their
last 5 games to reach 50 wins for the 12th time in the last 15 years. After disbanding their 2011
championship team the Mavs have struggled, but this team is eerily similar to that 2011 team.
They feature one of, if not the most potent starting 5s in the league. Their starting 5 includes
point guard Rajon Rondo who takes his game to another level in the playoffs where he averages
14.5 ppg, 9.2apg, 6.0rpg, and 2.0spg, not to mention he led the Celtics to the 2008 NBA title.
Shooting guard Monta Ellis the most clutch player in the Western Conference Playoffs who
average 3.6 ppg in the last 5 minutes/overtime of games within 5 points. Small forward Chandler
Parsons who has struggled with injuries but should be dying to make a statement against his
former team, The Rockets. Center Tyson Chandler, the heart and soul of the team, owner of 31
double doubles this year and former defensive player of the year. Finally power forward Dirk
Nowitzki, former finals MVP and regular season MVP, top 10 in all-time scoring, and can still
single handedly win you basketball games. The thing is he doesnt have to this year; he has his
most talented supporting cast he has ever had which is saying something considering this is his
14th time being on a playoff team. Not only do the Mavericks have a ridiculous starting 5 but they
always boast one of the leagues top benches. Their bench consists of wily veterans willing to
take limited roles in hopes of getting a ring. Their second unit consists of do it all guard Devin
Harris, high energy guards JJ Barea and Raymond Felton, defensive specialist Al-Faruq-Aminu,
sharpshooters Richard Jefferson and Charlie Villanueva, and talented big man Amare Stoudemire.
That bench is better than some NBAs starting 5. That 2011 was given no chance to win a title, in
fact many so called experts predicted them to lose in the first round to the Trail Blazers. Similarly
this team isnt even projected to get by the Rockets. The west is loaded with good teams, but
none of them have more talent that Dallas does. One thing many people fail to remember is that
the Mavericks have one of the leagues best coaches. Rick Carlisle was able to get the most out of
a group of misfits in 2011 and win a title. There is no reason to believe he wont do it again.

THE EAST
The Eastern Conference is much more predictable than the Western Conference. The Cleveland
Cavaliers will return to the NBA finals now that LeBron James has returned home. The Cavs should
make the finals based solely on the fact that they are playing in the east. The Cavs first round matchup
is with the sub .500 Boston Celtics. Yes, the Celtics have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA, but
a team led in scoring by Isaiah Thomas (19ppg), Avery Bradley (13.9ppg), and Jared Sullinger
(13.3ppg) wont stand much of a chance vs LeBron James (25.3ppg), Kyrie Irving (21.7ppg), and Kevin
Love (16.4ppg). The Cavs second round matchup will be against the winner of the Bulls vs Bucks
series, most likely the Bulls. A Bulls vs Cavs series could very well determine who is going to represent
the east in the finals. However, the advantage has to go to the Cavs who won the season series 3-1.
The Bulls are still hoping Derek Rose will somehow return to his former MVP caliber self, but who
knows if that will ever happen and even if it does it may not be enough vs the Cavs. The Cavs have the
best record since January 15 where they have gone 24-5 a winning percentage of .828. In the Eastern
finals the Cavs would play the Hawks, Nets, Wizards, or Raptors. None of those teams can match up
talent wise with a team of LeBron, Kyrie, and Kevin that is suddenly playing well together. LeBron will
be on a mission to bring a title back to Cleveland after winning 2 championships and finals MVPs in
Miami.

WHAT I THINK:

Golden State

Atlanta

Golden State

Dallas

Memphis

Atlanta
Washington

Dallas
Dallas
Dallas

Cleveland

Cleveland
Cleveland

San Antonio

Clhicago


Credits:
Cavs Stats
http://espn.go.com/nba/team/stats/_/name/cle
Boston Stats
http://espn.go.com/nba/team/stats/_/name/bos/boston-celtics
Cavs Record
http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2015/03/cleveland_cavaliers_post_nbas.html
Monta Ellis stats
http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/clutch/?sort=PTS&dir=1
Rajon Rondo stats
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rondora01.html
Dallas Mavericks stats
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dallas_Mavericks_seasons