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NBA Playoffs 2017: Power ranking the first round matchups

By John Buhler

Feb 8, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is guarded by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeated Indiana 132-117. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is guarded by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeated Indiana 132-117. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 16 teams playing in the 2017 NBA Playoffs have been set. Here are all eight first round series power ranked in terms of watchability.

The 82-game slate for all 30 NBA teams has run its course in the 2016-17 NBA season. Fourteen teams will have to sit at home and get ready for the ping pong balls to do their thing. That’s because it’s playoff basketball time in the NBA.

Sixteen teams have punched their tickets to the 2017 NBA Playoffs. The first four playoff games this spring will be underway on Saturday, April 15. On Sunday, April 16, the other four playoff series will commence as well.

We have some interesting first-round matchups and some that we just want to see go four or five games and be over with in a hurry. Here are the eight first-round series of the 2017 NBA Playoffs power ranked in terms of watchability and overall intrigue.

8. No. 2 Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31) vs. No. 7 Indiana Pacers (42-40)

By far and away, the least attractive first round series has to be the No. 2 vs. No. 7 series in the Eastern Conference, between the Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31) and the Indiana Pacers (42-40). It’s only been a few years since we’ve seen a LeBron James versus the Pacers playoff series, but it has lost all national appeal.

Back when James was with the Miami Heat, Indiana met the Heat in back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals. Indiana was good, but didn’t have the offensive firepower to keep pace with James in his prime. All they could do was have enigmatic shooting guard Lance Stephenson blow in his ear. That didn’t work, but it was funny.

Though these two teams are Central Division rivals, this series doesn’t resonate nationally for two reasons: 1.) It’s too Midwestern for basketball fans in any other region of the country to really get behind. 2.) There is no way that the Cavaliers lose this series. Zero.

Pacers star small forward Paul George should be able to win a game or two over the Cavaliers in Indianapolis. It’s not like Cleveland has been a solid road team at any point this season any way. If this series goes to six games, then that’s all it’s really good for.

Cleveland should breeze past the Pacers and get ready for a more interesting Conference Semifinals matchup against either the Toronto Raptors or the Milwaukee Bucks. Toronto matches up very well with Cleveland and would be a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. Giannis Antetokounmpo is must-see television for the Milwaukee Bucks. George is good, Stephenson will keep in interesting, Monta Ellis will take bad shots and Nate McMillan will get out coached by Tyronn Lue.

Game 1 between the Cavaliers and the Pacers will be at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 15. ABC will have the national telecast from Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.