Last year’s NBA Finals combatants, the Cavaliers and Warriors, made quick work of their first round playoff opponents, dispatching the Pacers and Trail Blazers respectively in four games apiece. However, many of the other first round series around the NBA remain very much up in the air.
Currently, four series are tied at 2-2, with two of those Game Fives scheduled for tonight, and two more on tap for Wednesday. The Clippers and Jazz have each split their home games, resulting in a 2-2 tie, while the No. 7 seeded Grizzlies won two home games over the Spurs following David Fizdale‘s post-Game 2 “take that for data” rant, pulling even in that series. Those four teams will be in action tonight.
Over in the Eastern Conference, the No. 1 seeded Celtics find themselves tied with the No. 8 Bulls in an unusual series in which road teams are 4-0 so far. Meanwhile, the Hawks ripped through the Wizards‘ defense in two games in Atlanta, evening that series at 2-2. Both of those series will resume on Wednesday.
In each of those four series, the higher seed maintains the advantage, with two of the final three games on their home court. But most of those higher seeds don’t look as formidable as they did entering the postseason.
What do you think? Will any of these series result in upsets? If the Jazz are able to knock off the Clippers, should that series even be viewed as a legit upset, given the absence of Blake Griffin and the teams’ identical regular season records?
Vote below on which lower seeds will make it through the first round — you can pick as many as you want. After placing your vote, share your thoughts in the comments section!
Jazz will “upset” the Clips.
No upsets
CHI takes down BOS
Before Rondo went down that was looking like the upset of the decade. But without him they can’t do it.
I can see Grizzlies beating the Spurs, who are overrated this year anyway.
And the Clippers without Griffin is not even “upset” territory, but they will probably lose.
I agree about the Boston v. Chicago series. Before Rondo went down, the Bulls looked like they were going to upset Boston in 4 or 5 games. Now, without Rondo, and without a legitimate PG that can direct traffic efficiently, the Bulls look like a team that is just lost on the court.
I’m a diehard Bulls fan, and I am completely suprised about the turnaround Rondo made once the series started. I never thohght he would ve leading the charge against a Bulls upset…Even si though, now ithout Rondo directing traffic, the Bulls will most likely end up losing the series 4-2.
Unless some combination of two out of the four of Portis, Mirotic, Zipser, or Grant play way above their heads and help Butler and D-Wade, I’m afraid it’ll be a clean sweep from here on out.
I’m not surprised at all about Rondo. He’s a great player when he wants to be and feels sleighted that Boston shipped him because of that.
I’m on the wrong end of witnessing Rondo’s greatness this series. He was magnificent in Boston, but people always discount that because of him playing with PP and KG. Granted, they did make him better, a Rondo is a very very good pass first PG still.
Which makes me confused as to how Hoiberg left Rondo out of the rotation earlier this year. I mean it is one series and I have not watched the Bulls play much this year, but I have no clue how Grant or MCW was ahead of Rondo on the depth chart at one time. Heck, in game 4, Isaiah Canaan outplayed both of them (and I’m wondering why Cameron Payne has been inactive with Rondo down too).
Rondo has been the X-Factor for the Bulls in their first two games. IT, while great on offense, has not been able to keep up with Rondo’s pace on defense. Rondo knows that; he’s one of the smartest NBA players. So if Rondo does make a return and plays at full strength, I would not be surprised (albeit disappointed) if the Bulls can retake the lead and possibly the series. That is just how important Rondo is to the Bulls. He makes his teammates better.
If the Grizz pull through for a Game 5 victory, then I seriously think the Grizz will win the series.
Clips should be used to playing with without Blake Griffin by now…
Bulls aren’t gonna get anymore dubs without Rondo facilitating the offense
Wizards and Hawks is a toss up, ain’t got a single clue how that’s gonna go
Game 5’s are always pivotal…When a series is tied 2-2, WAY more often than not, whoever wins game 5 ends up taking the series.
As a Bulls fan, I hope the trend of the road team winning continues, and the Bulls are able to somehow squeeze out a 4-3 series win on Boston’s home court. Although, now without Rondo, I’m afraid they don’t stand a chance…
I NEVER THOUGHT I would say this, but Rondo has become so paramount to the Bulls half court offense… Rondo has been directing traffic and getting players in their correct spots, driving to the basket and breaking down the defense, and he has also been setting up his shooters for success by making timely and accurate passes!!
Without Rondo, the Bulls are clearly showing their lack of depth. They lost their newly found floor general, and they lost a player that was making ALL of his teammates better!! Portis and Zipser were benefitting greatly from Rondo and his newly found fountain of youth…And everyone knows to win a series, it comes down to not only the stars, but also your role players…
Without Rondo now, the Bulls may squeak put one game, but they will most likely not win two…or even win that one game for that matter…
It’ll certainly be an interesting off season for the Bulls, but I have zero faith in the Bulls front office to set this team up for any semblance of future success…Their front office is an old worn out joke, that is nor ever was all that funny to begin with…