With the NBA playoffs right around the corner, the postseason picture is a little clearer in terms of potential first round matchups. The seeds haven’t been finalized yet but we already have a pretty good idea of what we might see. In addition to the matchups, there are a handful of lower seeds that clearly have the potential to surprise come playoff time. Here is a look at the NBA lower seeds that could upset in the first round.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder has the sixth-best record in the Western Conference right now. It’s very likely they remain in that spot the rest of the way. That would mean a first round playoff series with the Houston Rockets. Oklahoma City won its first game against Houston back in November, but lost its final three games in the series. There is no doubt that it will be tough to take down the Rockets. However, with Russell Westbrook playing at an MVP level it’s impossible to overlook the Thunder. Oklahoma City has won nine of its last 13 games and Westbrook is playing at an elite level. Westbrook is getting some help from Victor Oladipo, Taj Gibson and big men Steven Adams and Enes Kanter. The Thunder will struggle to keep up with Houston’s offense as we saw in their latest meeting, which was a 137-125 loss. However, if Oklahoma City could figure out a way to slow down the Rockets offense then they could extend the series and give themselves a chance to win in the opening round.
Chicago Bulls
Don’t look now but the Bulls have played their best basketball of the season over the past couple of weeks. Chicago is 5-2 over its last seven games. That run includes an impressive win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and a brutal loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Consistency has been a problem for the Bulls this season but the playoffs are a different animal. Chicago still hasn’t officially clinched a playoff spot but if it gets in it could surprise as a sixth, seventh or eighth seed. Most teams will want to avoid Cleveland in the first round. However, the Bulls are 4-0 against the Cavaliers this season. Chicago might still prefer to take on a Boston Celtics team that they are 2-2 against this season but definitely won’t be intimidated by Cleveland. The Cavaliers have struggled recently and a first round matchup with the Bulls might not be as easy for them as some would think it might be.
Milwaukee Bucks
The race for first and the race for the final couple of playoff spots in the Eastern Conference have dominated the spotlight. Meanwhile, the Bucks have flown under the radar for the most part. Milwaukee is on pace to finish fifth in the East, which would set up a potential first round series with the Washington Wizards. The Bucks went 1-3 against Washington this season but could provide a unique challenge for them come playoff time. Milwaukee is loaded with long and athletic players that could slow down the Wizards offense. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker could present matchup problems defensively for Washington. The focus in the East is mostly on the Cavaliers and Celtics right now, so it could catch a lot of people off guard if the Bucks surprise the Wizards in the opening round.
Miami Heat
In terms of teams that have had Cleveland’s number this season, the Heat will definitely be feeling confident if they match up with the Cavaliers in the opening round. Miami took back-to-back games from the Cavaliers in early March, averaging 114.0 points per game in their two wins. Cleveland has been struggling with its defense and confidence has had a lot to do with it. Meanwhile, the Heat would be playing with nothing to lose if they meet the Cavaliers in the opening round and that could help give them a mental edge. There are some that feel Cleveland is just in a tough spot and will bounce back when it matters most come playoff time. However, there are also those that think their struggles are part of a bigger problem and that they could be in tough if they encounter adversity early on in the postseason. The Heat had their number in their last two meetings. Perhaps Miami is a lower seed that could upset in the opening round of the NBA playoffs.
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