NBA Playoff Predictions 2015-16: Knicks surprise, Spurs return to glory

Conference Finals

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Observations

• Houston isn’t a bad team but they’re just not elite. The Rockets will be a force in the postseason but much in the same way we saw teams like the Hawks and Clippers last year prop themselves up for failure, Houston isn’t going to match up well against the Dubs and end the Steph vs. Harden debate.
• The Heat will run into similar problems against the Cavaliers — unsurprisingly. It’s going to be a really, really fun series to watch but in the end there’s no way that the Cavs lose unless something goes wrong in the form of an injury to a major player, which isn’t as crazy as it sounds.
• Toronto’s dream ride won’t last much longer than that first round win over Atlanta. Chicago isn’t as scary as they used to be, but the Raptors are not going to win enough games on the road in Chicago to take the series.

Conference Finals Musing

• Get ready for both series to go a very full seven games — which means plenty of overtime ball.
• The depth of the Spurs is going to make itself known. If David West can stay healthy, then they will be very fun to watch.
• We won’t get a repeat of last year’s Conference Semifinals, as the Bulls match up much better against the Cavaliers this year even if Cleveland will have everyone they didn’t have last postseason.
• Bulls player who is going to break out in a huge way: Bobby Portis. Book it.

Bold Predictions

• The Heat-Cavs series will go a full seven games.
• Houston is only going to win one game in their series against Golden State, and everyone is going to overreact about how they peaked last season.
• While they’re going to get eliminated by the Bulls, the Raptors are going to make it at least a six game series and wear the Bulls down in a big way before the Conference Finals.

Next: NBA Finals