Mike McGraw makes his NBA playoff predictions

Older NBA fans remember the playoffs in the late 1990s.

There would be plenty of exciting games in the first round, then the Bulls would show up — always the last game of an NBC weekend triple-header — and take care of business with ease. Sometimes it got interesting in the later rounds, to see if a team could actually knock off Michael Jordan's Bulls, but it never happened.

It's a similar scenario this year with Golden State the overwhelming team to beat. And there's only one ABC national game these days.

There will be some interesting matchups early. The No. 3-6 seeds in the East finished in a four-way tie. Toronto had the best regular season in franchise history and will now try to be a threat to LeBron James' Cavaliers. A surprising Portland team will try to knock off the sometimes underachieving Los Angeles Clippers.

But it's all going to come down to this: Can anyone stop the Warriors' offensive machine?

There's an interesting twist for this postseason. The 1996 Finals between the Bulls (72 wins) and Seattle (64 wins) was the best combined winning percentage in NBA playoff history. That series wasn't even that close, with the Bulls jumping to a 3-0 lead, then winning in six games.

This year's Western Conference finals could beat that if the Warriors (73 wins) and San Antonio (67 wins) get through the first two rounds.

Will the Finals be an anticlimax or will be East survivor be ready to battle? Most people probably think they know how it's going to end. Here are my picks:

Eastern Conference

Cleveland (1) vs. Detroit (8)Game 1: Sun, 2 p.m. (ABC)

Outlook: The Pistons are in the playoffs for the first time since 2009, so that's a big deal. C Andre Drummond and PG Reggie Jackson both averaged 20.3 points against the Cavs this season, while Detroit won three of the four games, including twice in Cleveland. LeBron James has been laying low, but he averaged 28.4 points while shooting 62 percent from the field in his last 10 games, so he might be looking forward to a Golden State rematch.

Pick: Cavs in 7

Atlanta (4) vs. Boston (5)Game 1: Sat, 6 p.m. (ESPN)

Outlook: Here's a shocker, Paul Millsap went to town on Boston's front line this season, averaging 22.5 points and 10.3 rebounds on 58-percent shooting, while the Hawks won three of four games. Coach Brad Stevens got the most out of the Celtics during the regular season, but is a Big Three of Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder good enough to win a playoff series?

Pick: Hawks in 5

Toronto (2) vs. Indiana (7)Game 1: Sat, 11:30 a.m. (ESPN)

Outlook: With 56 wins, this is easily the best season in Raptors history. Now can they improve on their 1-7 record in playoff series? DeMar DeRozan averaged 24.3 points against Indiana this season, but shot just 38 percent. Toronto will want to get C Jonas Valanciunas going against the Pacers' guard-oriented offense. The Raptors won three of four in the regular season.

Pick: Raptors in 5

Miami (3) vs. Charlotte (6)Game 1: Sun, 4:30 p.m. (TNT)

Outlook: The Heat went 19-10 after losing top scorer Chris Bosh to blood clot issues. There has been nothing to suggest Bosh will return for the playoffs, so late addition SF Joe Johnson has been helpful. Charlotte PG Kemba Walker (19.5 points) and C Al Jefferson (19.0) have played well against Miami. The teams split four games.

Pick: Hornets in 6

Western Conference

Golden State (1) vs. Houston (8)Game 1: Sat., 2:30 p.m. (ABC)

Outlook: Remember, this was the Western Conference finals matchup last year. Warriors fun fact: Steph Curry made 402 3-pointers this season, Klay Thompson 276. Those totals rank first and third in NBA history. Curry averaged an even 30 points per game against the Rockets, while Houston SG James Harden went for 27.7 against GS. The Warriors swept three games, but a couple of those were competitive.

Pick: Warriors in 4

L.A. Clippers (4) vs. Portland (5)Game 1: Sun., 9:30 p.m. (TNT)

Outlook: Once nine games below .500, Portland went 29-14 after Jan. 10, but lost three of four games to the Clippers this season. Damien Lillard averaged 18 points and shot just 32.4 percent from the field against the Clips. Los Angeles finished the season winning 10 of its last 12 games. Blake Griffin played in five of those after returning from an injury and suspension. C DeAndre Jordan averaged 16.5 rebounds and 15 free-throw attempts per game against Portland.

Pick: Clippers in 7

San Antonio (2) vs. Memphis (7)Game 1: Sun., 7 p.m. (TNT)

Outlook: After losing C Marc Gasol and PG Mike Conley to season-ending injuries, Memphis finished the season on 3-14 slump. San Antonio won 67 games this season and swept all four against the Grizzlies. Newcomer LaMarcus Aldridge averaged 27 points and shot 65 percent against Memphis. Boris Diaw missed five of the last six games with a groin injury.

Pick: Spurs in 4

Oklahoma City (3) vs. Dallas (6)Game 1: Sat., 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Outlook: The Thunder swept four games against Dallas in the regular season. Kevin Durant averaged 25.7 points against the Mavs, while Russell Westbrook went for 17.8 points and 9.8 assists. Westbrook had 10 triple-doubles after the all-star break, but none against Dallas. Point guard J.J. Barea was the Mavs' top scorer in April at 17.4 points.

Pick: Thunder in 5

Second round

Cavs over Hawks in 6

Hornets over Raptors in 7

Warriors over Clippers in 5

Spurs over Thunder in 7

Conference championships

Cavs over Hornets in 6

Warriors over Spurs in 7

NBA Finals

Warriors over Cavs in 5