Dynamic duo will test Sixers
Westbrook, Beal form formidable backcourt for red-hot Wizards
The first round of the NBA playoffs gets fully underway Sunday with the four remaining series. Here’s a look at how they might shake out.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
> No. 1 Philadelphia 76ers No. 8 Washington Wizards
Game 1: Sunday, 1 p.m. at Philadelphia
The Sixers have some demons to exorcise, and maybe the presence of coach Doc Rivers will allow them to thrive in the post-season. Or maybe Rivers will once again watch a somewhat fragile team lose a series it should win, like his Clippers did last year ... The series actually matches up pretty well for the red-hot Wizards. Their backcourt combination of Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal is going to be tough to defend. But Beal’s sore hamstring might be too limiting for him to fully expose the Sixers. Prediction: Sixers in six
> No. 4 New York Knicks
No. 5 Atlanta Hawks
Game 1: Sunday, 7 p.m. at New York
The Knicks are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013 with Mississauga’s R.J. Barrett and likely most improved player award winner Julius Randle leading the way. But don’t discount the contribution of coach Tom Thibodeau, who should thrive after a week to prepare for the Hawks ... Atlanta’s season turned when Nate McMillan replaced Lloyd Pierce as head coach, and point guard Trae Young is growing into a more team-first star. The Hawks have an underrated frontcourt of Clint Capela and John Collins that could dominate on the glass. Prediction: Hawks in seven
WESTERN CONFERENCE
> No. 2 Phoenix Suns No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers
Game 1: Sunday, 3:30 p.m. at Phoenix
The Lakers will be considered one of the most dangerous No. 7 seeds in playoff history, as long as LeBron James doesn’t have any recurring issues with a tender ankle and Anthony Davis stays healthy. And why Los Angeles isn’t, or won’t, take advantage of former Raptors centre Marc Gasol’s big-game experience and in-game intelligence truly is mystifying ... The Lakers are solid defensively, but the Phoenix guard duo of Chris Paul and Devin Booker is going to put an awful lot of pressure on them. The Suns have ended a decade-long streak of missing the playoffs. That lack of experience, outside of Paul, might end up being their undoing.
Prediction: Lakers in six
> No. 1 Utah Jazz No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies
Game 1: Sunday, 9:30 p.m. at Utah
Utah is stacked, among the league’s elite in shooting threepointers and preventing them. They should have Donovan Mitchell back from an ankle injury for Game 1, and don’t think Mike Conley isn’t eager to go against his old team and Ja Morant, the phenom who made him dispensable. Ex Raptor Jonas Valanciunas had a great season, but his matchup with Utah’s Rudy Gobert will be a challenge ... The Grizzlies are brimming with confidence coming off two big play-in game wins over San Antonio and Golden State.
Prediction: Jazz in five