TheSportsPACK

(1) Golden State Warriors vs (8) Portland Trail Blazers Mitry Johnson: Golden State in 4 Trell Austin: Golden State in 5 Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum can match any backcourt in the league point for point but with Kevin Durant back for the Warriors that's the only positive coming in to this series for Portland. Making the playoffs is a step in the right directing for the Trail Blazers but the Warriors are on a mission and this series is just a speed bump.  (2) San Antonio Spurs vs (7) Memphis Grizzlies MJ: San Antonio in 4 TA: San Antonio in 4 With Tony Allen on the floor for the Grizzlies they might have had a chance at containing Kawhi Leonard. Allen will miss the playoff with a strained calf so expect this series to be over very quick.  (3) Houston Rockets vs (6) Oklahoma City Thunder MJ: Houston in 7 TA: Houston in 6 The most exciting 1st round match up in the playoffs. The two top MVP candidates will face off in what we expect to be ...

(1) Boston Celtics vs (8) Chicago Bulls Mitry Johnson : Boston in 7 Trell Austin: Boston in 6 Jimmy Butler is the best player on the floor but the Bulls lack depth. Isaiah Thomas ability to score from anywhere on the floor mixed with strong perimeter defense from Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart will make it too difficult for the Bulls who struggle with outside shooting. (2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (7) Indiana Pacers MJ: Cleveland in 6 TA: Cleveland in 5 Cleveland limps into this playoff series but we all know it's a different LeBron once the playoffs start. Paul George is a great player on both ends of the floor but outside of him no other Pacer matches up well with Cleveland's shooters. (3) Toronto Raptors vs (6) Milwaukee Bucks MJ: Toronto in 6 TA: Toronto in 6 Antetokounmpo's ability to affect the game in so many ways will make this an intriguing matchup. Now that Kyle Lowry is back in the lineup, Toronto will have an improved lineup from a team that mad...

basketballsocietyonline.com MVP: Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder This year's MVP race has been the closest it's been in recent memory. With 5 legit candidates, anyone of them is well deserving of the award but my choice is Westbrook. Not only did he break a record I thought would never be broken with 42 triple-doubles, but after losing 3 out of their top 5 scorers, Westbrook still has the Thunder in the playoffs as a 6th seed and lead the NBA in scoring. James Harden had an outstanding season but has a lot more help in Houston than Westbrook has in OKC, which was one of my biggest deciding factors. warriorsworld.net Defensive Player of the Year: Draymond Green Golden State Warriors After coming in 2nd in DPOY voting 2 seasons in a row Draymond Green final wins the award. Averaging 2 steals a game, Draymond is tied with Wizards point guard John Wall for 1st in the NBA. Green can guard all positions effectively and is the anchor for a Golden State defense that ...