Mike McGraw previews the first round of the NBA playoffs
NBA first-round playoff capsules
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Toronto vs. No. 8 Washington
Game 1: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Season series: Tied 2-2
Outlook: Can the Wizards suddenly step on the gas after struggling most of the season? PG John Wall only played in four games after missing two months with a knee injury. But in his last two appearances, he averaged 28.5 points and 13 assists. Toronto stumbled a bit with a 3-5 stretch late in the season. The Raptors have done well with a more balanced offense and the have one of the most effective benches in the NBA.
Pick: Raptors in 6
No. 4 Cleveland vs. No. 5 Indiana
Game 1: Sunday, 2:30 p.m. (ABC)
Season series: Pacers 3-1
Outlook: The Cavs swept the Pacers in the first round last year and most observers probably expect LeBron James to meet little resistance in the rematch. The Cavs are relatively healthy with PF Kevin Love back on the floor. Indiana quietly produced one of the league's bigger surprises behind SG Victor Oladipo, who will likely win the most improved award.
Pick: Cavs in 5
No. 2 Boston vs. No. 7 Milwaukee
Game 1: Sunday, noon (TNT)
Season series: Tied 2-2
Outlook: The Celtics won't have top scorer Kyrie Irving for the playoffs but don't figure to concede anything. Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 33.5 points and 10.8 rebounds against Boston this season. The missing ingredient for Antetokounmpo has been taking over down the stretch and winning games in the fourth quarter. This would be a good time to start. Boston went 10-6 without Irving after March 1.
Pick: Celtics in 7
No. 3 Philadelphia vs. No. 6 Miami
Game 1: Saturday, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Season series: Tied 2-2
Outlook: The Process evolved like a volcano - dormant for a few years, then some smoldering and finally an eruption. Philadelphia finished the season on a 16-game winning streak, even with C Joel Embiid missing the final eight games with a broken orbital bone. Embiid is not expected to play in Game 1. While PG Ben Simmons makes the plays, J.J. Redick and Marco Belinelli have been the Sixers' top scorers down the stretch. Miami had a choice Wednesday. By losing to Toronto, the Heat could have faced Cleveland in the first round but decided to take its chances with the young 76ers.
Pick: Sixers in 4
Western Conference
No. 1 Houston vs. No. 8 Minnesota
Game 1: Sunday, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Season series: Rockets 4-0
Outlook: Minnesota is a different team with Jimmy Butler on the floor, which might give Tom Thibodeau's Timberbulls a fighting chance in this series. But the Rockets have been the league's dominant team all season behind probable MVP James Harden. Minnesota doesn't figure to have the offensive firepower to stay competitive in this matchup.
Pick: Rockets in 5
No. 4 Oklahoma City vs. No. 5 Utah
Game 1: Sunday, 5:30 p.m. (TNT)
Season series: Thunder 3-1
Outlook: All four regular-season meetings between these teams happened before Christmas, well before the Jazz finished with an impressive 29-6 surge. Utah has the momentum but will be counting heavily on playoff newcomer Donovan Mitchell. OKC's Russell Westbrook doesn't have a great history in the playoffs, but he averaged another triple-double this season. The Thunder has evolved into a Big 2, since Carmelo Anthony averaged just 13.7 points after the all-star break.
Pick: Thunder in 7
No. 2 Golden State vs. No. 7 San Antonio
Game 1: Saturday, 2 p.m. (ABC)
Season series: Warriors 3-1
Outlook: The Warriors swept San Antonio in last year's Western Conference finals after Kawhi Leonard was knocked out with an ankle injury. This time Leonard won't play at all unless something surprising happens. He played in just nine games all season due to a quad injury, most recently on Jan. 13. On the other side, Golden State's Steph Curry is expected to miss the first round with an MCL sprain.
Pick: Warriors in 5
No. 3 Portland vs. No. 6 New Orleans
Game 1: Saturday, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Season series: 2-2
Outlook: There may not be a better matchup of star players in the first round. Pelicans center Anthony Davis was the league's leading scorer after the all-star break, averaging 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks. Portland's Damien Lillard wasn't far behind, posting 28.6 ppg after the break. Three ex-Bulls will log heavy minutes for New Orleans: Nikola Mirotic, Rajon Rondo and E'Twaun Moore.
Pick: Pelicans in 7