The much-anticipated NBA playoffs are all set to kick off on Saturday, April 15th. Even though the regular season is about to conclude on April 12, there is still a significant amount of movement. For example, the Cleveland Cavaliers may not come into the playoffs as the top seed from the East. Even then, they are seen as the heavy favorites alongside San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors. However, who could come up big and shock the world in the playoffs? Here are some of the five contenders in our minds:
Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz have had a good campaign in which they have shown no major weaknesses. They are ranked 13th when it comes to offense and a rather good third place in terms of defense. The team probably has every area covered including the coaches. However, they have lacked an identity which could prove to be their undoing in the playoffs, where the game is about making stops and converting on the other end in crunch time.
Furthermore, the Utah Jazz do not have experience of handling the playoffs. While their quality of play on the court has no discernible weaknesses, the lack of playoff experience could hurt the Jazz in the end? On their day, they have proven to be a challenge even for the best, and deserve to be on this list.
The recent 109-103 loss against San Antonio Spurs does take away some of the momentum from the team. Prior to the loss, the team had won the previous four matches without exception. A game against the Clippers at the start of the playoffs should be interesting, especially as the Clippers have been in fine form of late.
LA Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers are looking certainties to make it to the conference finals. Yet, the probability of the team getting past the first round has been discussed widely. The team has the ability to provide moments of magic, although they have also been criticized of delivering the same old mediocrity on several occasions. The basketball betting tips and predictions are backing for Los Angeles Clippers largely because of their recent form.
Washington Wizards
The biggest advantage of the Washington Wizards happens to be guard play. A second reason to back the team to provide a major shock in the upcoming 2017 NBA playoffs is that they have the ability to do almost anything on offense. The flexible nature of the team can see shooters turning into defenders and protecting the rim. Two players are expected to make a major difference in the playoffs – Bradley Beal and John Wall. These two guards now have the experience of the playoffs, while they can also score or make plays.
Washington are expected to comfortably go beyond the first round. This would potentially see them come up against Cleveland Cavaliers in the semi-finals. While it represents the toughest opponent, Washington are more than capable of springing a huge surprise and reaching the 2017 NBA finals. Irrespective of the result in the final, one can be sure that Washington Wizards truly shocked the 2017 NBA playoffs if they knock out Cleveland.
Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics are likely to have been considered as the favorites for the 2017 NBA finals had it not been for Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, or San Antonio Spurs. The team would have been able to take advantage of the Cavs vulnerability with an assault for the top spots.
Yet, some key decisions like the refusal to bring in Paul George have hampered Boston. The team still has the ability to produce the goods, as seen by the recent spring in the step. While there is a possibility of coming up against Chicago Bulls or Miami Heat, Boston do have the capability of suffering some shock defeats.
Yet, a brilliant conclusion to the season could see the team stick with the first seed. This would see them up against Atlanta or Milwaukee, as both teams are capable of overcoming Toronto. Home games will be key if Boston to succeed in the first playoffs. Boston last won the NBA finals during the 2007-08 season.
OKC Thunder
One of the reasons to see Oklahoma City Thunder as a dangerous team in the 2017 NBA playoffs is that they have a formula when it comes to winning. The tough nature of the team makes them extremely hard to beat. And of course they have the eventual MVP in Westbrook that has been in beast mode all year long.
As a result, they are able to get away with a less than perfect offensive scheme. Plenty of weird things do happen in the playoffs and it would not be surprising if Oklahoma City Thunder catch the Rockets, who they are likely to face in the first round, flat-footed and managed to make it to the latter stages of a playoff run. If they do so, they would just be able to ride a wave of confidence.
Final Thoughts
The NBA playoffs definitely have plenty of surprises in store for both analysts and fans. Everything is on the table and we could easily see one of the not-so-well-known teams get in front. It happens all the time.
NBA is a top heavy league, with tens of millions of viewers across the globe, and there are always some teams that give those viewers a more of a showing than they originally considered. Some might call it drama or ‘the perfect scenario’ to keep fans hooked. Sometimes it’s just like in the movies, when the underdog impresses every single basketball fan out there that refused to offer them a chance. The teams we mentioned above definitely have room for improvement.
