2014 NBA playoffs: First-round series staff picks
USA TODAY Sports' NBA team doesn't always agree, but here we came pretty close.
NBA reporters Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt, senior editor Kevin Spain and digital editor Adi Joseph make their NBA predictions, and you can feel free to call them out on anything you don't like via Twitter.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs. No. 8 Atlanta Hawks (38-44)
Amick: It has been more than two months since the Pacers played like an elite team consistently. Scoring was a huge problem in an April 6 loss to the Hawks (Indiana had a 23-point first half) and remains an enormous red flag. Pacers in 7.
Zillgitt: Even though the Pacers aren't playing their best, they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder last week in a key game. The Hawks will be competitive, but they're too banged up to win. Pacers in 5.
Spain: Yes, the Hawks blew out Indiana in the last meeting between the two. But the Pacers, despite a recent slump, will make everyone forget about that as they easily take this series. Pacers in 4.
Joseph: The Hawks took the Pacers to six games last year but now have a completely different roster. I expect the same result. Pacers in 6.
No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28) vs. No. 7 Charlotte Bobcats (43-39)
Amick: Charlotte and first-year coach Steve Clifford are capable of putting up a fight, but I expect the Heat to waste no time kicking this three-peat push into high gear. Miami took a measured approach to the regular season so they could transition into beast mode, as the kids call it, at this moment. Heat in 5.
Zillgitt: The Bobcats are 0-15 against the heat since 2010-11, and while Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker might find a way to win a game, this matchup gives the Heat time to warm up. Heat in 5.
Spain: The Big 3 has never lost to the Bobcats. That trend will be stopped in this series, with Charlotte taking at least one game. But the dominance will continue, as the Heat will be too much to handle. Heat in 5.
Joseph: Let's look at it like this: The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Heat twice in 2012-13, then were dismissed in four games in the first round. These Bobcats can't beat the Heat ever. Heat in 4.
No. 3 Toronto Raptors (48-34) vs. No. 6 Brooklyn Nets (44-38)
Amick: Forget the seedings, as these teams have been almost identical since the New Year rolled around (Nets 34-17, Raptors 34-19). They split four games during the season, with three of the games decided by a combined seven points. Nets in 7.
Zillgitt: It's a toss up. Three of the their four games were decided by four points or less. This might be a case of the Raptors being too inexperienced to care about experience. Raptors in 7.
Spain: The Raptors have overachieved all season and could be building a team that can compete for a few seasons. The Nets are a veteran group and have too much playoff experience and that will prove to be the difference. Nets in 7.
Joseph: The Nets have played so well in 2014 that they look better than their 49-win incarnate last season. Toronto is young and probably a year away. Nets in 6.
No. 4 Chicago Bulls (48-34) vs. No. 5 Washington Wizards (44-38)
Amick: No Derrick Rose and all (again), I'm simply not betting against Tom Thibodeau in the early rounds of the playoffs. Certainly not with what this Joakim Noah-led Bulls team has done these past few months (36-16 since Jan. 1). Bulls in 6.
Zillgitt: The key for Washington is to experience playoff success, even if that means simply winning a game. Chicago's defensive pressure, playoff intensity and experience will be too much. Bulls in 5.
Spain: Chicago is the team nobody wants to play because, from Thibodeau to the last man on the bench, they play every game like it's Game 7. They'll hold off an up-and-coming Wizards team that is just beginning to realize their potential. Bulls in 6.
Joseph: The Wizards are not ready for the playoffs yet. Next year, they have a legitimate shot at the Eastern Conference finals. But the Bulls are too disciplined to even drop a game. Bulls in 4.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs. No. 8 Dallas Mavericks (49-33)
Amick: As much as I'd love to see the two oldies-but-goodies — Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki — go seven for the sake of posterity, it's not happening. San Antonio values playing as few games and minutes as possible. They beat the Mavericks all four times during the regular season. Spurs in 5.
Zillgitt: Can every series in the West go seven games? Even if it's short, this series won't be easy, but San Antonio prepped all season for this moment. Spurs in 6.
Spain: It's time to stop asking how San Antonio does this year after year and enjoy what we're watching. It's going to be fun watching Duncan and Nowitzki battle it out again. There might not be many of those left. Spurs in 4.
Joseph: Nowitzki will have one vintage performance where he shoots 14-for-17 from the field and makes us feel alive for a night. But the Spurs will win this series handily. Spurs in 5.
No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23) vs. No. 7 Memphis Grizzlies (50-32)
Amick: Memphis has been very good for a very long time — third-best record in the league since Jan. 1. But while the Grizzlies are capable of pulling the first-round upset, the momentum that should come from Kevin Durant being awarded his first MVP likely continues with Oklahoma City surviving. Thunder in 6.
Zillgitt: Memphis' second-half resurgence shouldn't be overlooked. The Grizzlies won three more games than the Thunder while play two fewer in that same period. But there's too much Durant and Russell Westbrook in this series. Thunder in 7.
Spain: Durant has been great this season, and it's almost unfair the No. 2 seed Thunder have to play a top four-caliber team in the first round. If Marc Gasol hadn't been injured early in the season, the Grizzlies might have battled OKC for this spot in the standings. This will be a war. Thunder in 7.
Joseph: Backup point guard Nick Calathes' suspension won't help the Grizzlies in this, the toughest of the first-round matchups. Both these teams are good enough to win a title, but the slight edge goes to the team with Durant. Thunder in 7.
No. 3 Los Angeles Clippers (57-25) vs. No. 6 Golden State Warriors (51-31)
Amick: The loss of Andrew Bogut (fractured rib) is huge for Golden State, but this should still be a competitive, entertaining series. Warriors coach Mark Jackson has the backing of his players, and they will be out there fighting for his future with the team. It just won't be enough. Clippers in 6.
Zillgitt: Everyone has the same refrain: It's too bad Bogut isn't healthy. But I'm not sure Golden State would win even with Bogut but it sure would be closer. Clippers in 5.
Spain: This could be the most fun series of the first round, if for no other reason than it will have the most trash talk. The Clippers are better overall and will survive a barrage of three-pointers to win in a high-scoring series. Clippers in 5.
Joseph: The Warriors love playing small, especially with Bogut out. You can't do that against the Clippers, with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan manning the paint. Clippers in 5.
No. 4 Houston Rockets (54-28) vs. No. 5 Portland Trail Blazers (54-28)
Amick: When big man Dwight Howard and point guard Patrick Beverley were healthy, the Rockets were a top 10 defense. That's huge in the playoffs, and that factor should be enough to help carry them now that both are back from recent injuries. Rockets in 6.
Zillgitt: Do the Rockets play the kind of style that's sustainable in the playoffs? Even though the Blazers slipped a bit after a strong start, they're better built for a series. Blazers in 7.
Spain: Every few years, the Rockets put together a title contender-caliber roster. They added Howard to a group that could already score points in bunches in order to be a force in the postseason, and it should pay off. Rockets in 5.
Joseph: The Blazers finished very strong, but they still have a lot to prove. The Rockets' stars, Howard and James Harden, both have been to the NBA Finals and could get there again. Rockets in 5.
