NBA Playoffs: Predicting First Round Upsets

With the 2013 postseason approaching quickly, there are six teams that are settling into the sixth, seventh, and eighth spots, who don’t want to be there. Most of these teams aren’t the best on the road, but they’ll do anything to pull off a first round upset. Which of these teams will be able to actually beat a higher seed? I’ll give you a hint, it’s not many of them.

Why the upset? Well fans always love an underdog story. The story of how one team’s heart leads them all the way to the playoffs, and passed the first round thanks to some more heart. This happened with the 2006-2007 Warriors, who were left for dead, but finished the season 16-5. This season, the Warriors have a lot of heat, but may be making the playoffs before the last night of the regular season.

1. Golden State Warriors:

Dec 12, 2012; Miami FL, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates their 97-95 win over the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

To be honest, the Warriors are indeed having a second half meltdown, closing the season. The difference, however, is that they’re still able to maintain a winning record in March because they have heart, and a good coach. If they finish hot, they will have the confidence to beat any other higher seed other there. Right now, the Warriors have to play the Nuggets or the Clippers in the first round. The Clippers are preferable, because the Warriors have beaten them at least once on an away game. The Nuggets wouldn’t be bad because each game they played with the Warriors was a good one.

They’ll be able to pull off an upset because they have heart, and an amazing home crowd. “The Road Warriors” are in there somewhere, and I know that they can pull off at least one road win in the playoffs.

2. Boston Celtics:

Entering the season, there was a lot of doubt about the Celtics, but despite the absence of Rajon Rondo, they’re rolling. With the ‘heart’ of Jeff Green and the passion, he has led the Celtics to some incredible wins this season. Despite that, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are still capable of taking over the games, and Avery Bradley has a lot of potential. The Celtics will likely face either the Knicks or the Pacers in the first round. Either way, the experience of Paul Pierce could prove to be beneficial down the stretch. I can’t escape the feeling that the Celtics and the Heat will once again meet in the playoffs.

3. Chicago Bulls:

Two nights ago, the Chicago Bulls ended the Heat’s lengthy 27 game winning streak. This gives their team hype and confidence. Now that most of their roster is returning to full health, they’re going to storm into the playoffs with their heads up. Many speculated that Derrick Rose would be out for the rest of the season, but I think that he’s going to return to the Bulls before the playoffs begin. With Rose, the Bulls are a #1 team, and could easily knock off the 3rd seeded Knicks or Pacers.