Playoffs baby. After an interesting regular season, we have reached the most dramatic, eye-opening, life changing sports tournament in the world. The House basketball playoffs. Need I say more? Nope, so let’s get to it.
FIRST ROUND BYES
#1 Suns [9-1]
#2 Nuggets [7-3]
#3 Bulls [7-3]
#4 Lakers [7-3]
Sunday night marks the beginning of the 2015 playoffs, which is a single elimination tournament with the top four teams receiving first round byes. For the other eight teams, they need to fight it out to advance, so let’s break down each matchup coming on Sunday.
Knicks [4-6] vs. Celtics [3-7] @ 1pm (Regular Season Game: N/A)
These two teams have both struggled throughout the season, but both have been able to finish the year strong. The Knicks defeated the Nuggets on Wednesday following a mid-game forfeit by their opponents, putting them at 4-6 on the year. The Celtics rode a three game win streak after starting 0-5, but failed to finish off the Wizards and Jazz in their final two games, setting them up with a 3-7 record. The storyline for this game is the battle in the paint between private schoolers Aidan Coyle (Celtics) and Dolan Gregorich (Knicks), as the two giants will look to give their team a huge edge.
The Pick: Knicks
The Knicks will need Calvin Crosby to show up if they want to win, but I think they will fair fine without him due to the dominant defensive pairing of Bobby and Christian Trifone, along with all around beast Mark Schmidt. I think Coyle and Gregorich will be going at it all night, which should allow for the Knicks to get the edge from the outside.
Jazz [5-5] vs. Nets [2-8] @ 2pm (Regular Season Game: Jazz 63 Nets 43)
The Jazz come into this game as the top seed without a bye week following a up and down season. The team started strong but has struggled down the stretch due to poor attendance. On the other side, we have the Nets, who have lost five straight. The teams met in the regular season, and the Jazz had no problem against the Nets. With DiMeglio’s three point shooting along with Noujaim in the paint, the Jazz should be solid against the Nets. On the other hand, the Nets will need Andrew Washer to go absolutely off in order to win this one, and will also need Stephen Barston to bring his A game. Jack Griffiths will need to contain Noujaim in order for the Nets to have a shot.
The Pick: Jazz
The Jazz are too well rounded for the Nets to pull off the upset. The Jazz should be thankful that they got the worst team in the league, but should still take the Nets seriously. If the Nets get hot from the perimeter, the Jazz will be in trouble. However, I think the Jazz will come out of the gates hot, giving them a win and allowing them to advance to the next round.
Heat [5-5] vs. Cavaliers [3-7] @ 3pm (Regular Season Game: Cavaliers 42 Heat 41)
The two teams met during early regular season action, and the Cavs pulled off a one point win. This was when the Heat were struggling, and since that game, the Heat have been 4-2. Since that win, the Cavs have been 0-7, with their past three games being forfeits because they haven’t shown up. So, who has the edge here? Well Sam Bowtell has been terrific for the Heat, along with TJ Adiletta and Michael Maccarone. Along with perimeter shooting from Davis Nixon, the Heat have been deadly since losing to the Cavs. For the Cavs, well, I don’t even remember who is on the team since I haven’t written about them in a while. But seriously, if the Cavs get their full team, they should be able to hang with the Heat. Phil Rech can be deadly, and PK Brannigan is a defensive star.
The Pick: Heat
The Cavs inconsistency since the win against the Heat is why they will fall here. Bowtell will dominate in this game, setting the stage for a solid playoff run for the Heat.
Wizards [5-5] vs. Mavericks [3-7] @ 4pm (Regular Season Game: Wizards 49 Mavericks 46)
The two teams battled earlier in the season, and the Wizards were able to come out on top by three points. The Mavericks have since somewhat improved, even though only one of their three wins is legit, since two of them were by forfeit. The Mavericks have the ability to jump out in front early, but have been unable to finish. Jack Garfield can be dominate in this game, since I don’t think there is anyone on the Wizards who can match up with him. However, the speed of Colin Minicus is hard to deal with, along with the all around skill of Andrew Mathew and the Constantino twins. What I think is that this game will be around the same score as the regular season meeting.
The Pick: Mavericks
I gotta have at least one upset, or else I look like an idiot. Well, I am one, but whatever. The Mavericks inability to finish has killed them all year, but they will undoubtedly finish this one. Jack Garfield will have a career game, and the Mavericks will grab their second legit win of the year.
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