NBA Playoffs 2017: Predictions for All Playoff Matchups

The NBA playoff matchups are set, and it's time to dig in to all eight playoff series. Boston was able to secure the number one seed in the East thanks in part to Cleveland's collapse down the stretch. The Celtics will take on the Bulls while the Cavaliers square off with the Pacers. Both the Bulls and Pacers are thankful to be in the postseason as they were fighting the Heat for the final two positions. Their "reward" is taking on the top two teams in the East. In one of the more entertaining matchups, the young Bucks team will go against a veteran Raptors squad. The Wizards will battle the Hawks in the middle of the bracket. Unlike the East, the West matchups have been set for a days in a unique end to the season. The Warriors were able to secure the No. 1 seed despite missing Kevin Durant during the end of the season. Golden State will have home court advantage for as long as they are in the playoffs including the NBA Finals if they are able to make a return trip. The big question everyone wants to know is whether fans will get a Finals rematch between the Warriors and the Cavs. The Warriors will open up the playoffs against Damian Lillard and the Blazers. San Antonio may not have won the top seed, but they are not going anywhere. The Spurs take on the Grizzlies. The one series everyone has circled is the Houston Rockets against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It features the two MVP candidates, James Harden and Russell Westbrook, going at each other in must-see television. Another matchup to watch is Steph Curry taking on Lillard, who has a flair for playoff theatrics. Heavy is here to breakdown every series offering our prediction for each matchup. Click the arrow on the right side to see Heavy's NBA playoff predictions. (Getty)

West: No. 8 Portland Trail Blazers vs. No. 1 Golden State Warriors

Matchup to Watch: Damian Lillard vs. Steph Curry

Outlook: Don't expect the Blazers to challenge the Warriors for an upset. However, you can expect phenomenal guard play. Damian Lillard is one of the most entertaining players to watch in the playoffs. He has a way of rising to the occasion and hitting big shots in crunch time. The Warriors are who we thought they were and that's the best team in the NBA. Portland fans can hope to steal a game or two. The future is bright in Portland with three draft picks in the 2017 NBA Draft. According to Land of Basketball, the Warriors have won the last six games these teams have played including all four games this season. Golden State was able to comfortably hold off the Spurs for the top seed. Golden State should be able to use this series as a tune-up for Kevin Durant to get into playoff form after his long layoff. Lillard could provide NBA fans with a few viral videos and get the Blazers a couple wins. That said, don't expect a close series.

Prediction: Warriors in 5 games (Getty)

East: No. 8 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 1 Boston Celtics

Matchup to Watch: Jimmy Butler vs. Jae Crowder

Outlook: The Celtics clinched home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. Despite their disparity in records, the Bulls have held their own against the Celtics. The teams have split their four games this season. Jae Crowder may not be the biggest name on the Celtics roster, but he could be the most important Boston player in this series. Crowder will be tasked with keeping Jimmy Butler in check. Celtics fans should not expect an easy sweep in this series, especially with Dwayne Wade's playoff experience. Chicago has been a bit dysfunctional this season but have enough veteran talent to help them compete with the Celtics in what could be an competitive series. Ultimately, Boston will advance, but it will take them a few additional games.

Prediction: Celtics in 6 games (Getty)

West: No. 7 Memphis Grizzlies vs. No. 2 San Antonio Spurs

Matchup to Watch: Tony Allen vs. Kawhi Leonard

Outlook: It's unclear who the Grizzlies will have matched up on Kawhi Leonard but putting Vince Carter on him would be a nightmare. Expect Memphis to throw Tony Allen on him for at least part of the series. The Grizzlies have lost a step from years past where they would challenge the Spurs in the playoffs. Memphis was able to split the season series 2-2 with the Spurs. San Antonio tends to ramp it up a notch when the postseason hits. Memphis may get one game, but the Spurs will use this series to get ready for a likely second round matchup with the Rockets. Another matchup to watch is what happens on the blocks. Although they play different positions, LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol could matchup some given they are the best big men for their respective teams. It will be interesting to see if the Grizzlies success against the Spurs in the regular season translates into this series.

Prediction: Spurs in 4 games (Getty)

East: No. 7 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 2 Cleveland Cavaliers

Matchup to Watch: Paul George vs. LeBron James

Outlook: Will Paul George and LeBron James defend each other? Time will tell especially on the Cavs side. There will be times where the two matchup even if the Cavs opt to conserve James' energy by having him defend another player. The Cavaliers were able to take three of four games against the Pacers this season. One thing to keep an eye on is the way these two teams finished the season. Cleveland cared very little about the final games of the regular season and their seeding. The Cavs lost their final four games. Indiana has essentially been playing in the playoffs the past two weeks as they were competing for one of the final spots in the East. Indiana has won five straight games and has had to play at a high intensity level heading into the playoffs. Will the Cavs be able to flip a switch like we all expect them to or use their desperation to their advantage as the series starts? Cleveland is too talented to lose this series, but do not be surprised if their lull carries over into the playoffs causing them to drop one of the first two games.

Prediction: Cavaliers in 6 games (Getty)

West: No. 6 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 3 Houston Rockets

Matchup to Watch: Russell Westbrook vs. James Harden

Outlook: Russell Westbrook against James Harden is not just the matchup of the series but of the entire playoffs. If the NBA MVP race was like most years, fans would have the opportunity to see a "revenge" series by the loser of the MVP. However, the award will not be announced until after the playoffs at a special awards ceremony. Houston has won three of four games but all four games have been close. Expect Westbrook to keep this series tight as he is out to prove he is the best player in the league. Look for the Rockets to close it out but not without a fight from the Thunder.

Prediction: Rockets in 7 games (Getty)

East: No. 6 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 3 Toronto Raptors

Matchup to Watch: Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Serge Ibaka

Outlook: Full disclosure, this is my favorite playoff series, at least on paper. We have two exciting fan bases with two really talented rosters. There are two key matchups. Giannis Antetokounmpo may be the best player in this series, and it will be interesting to see if Serge Ibaka can channel the defense we saw from him years ago. Fans will also want to keep a close eye on Khris Middleton against DeMar DeRozan. The Bucks main deficiency is their inexperience against a Raptors team that has been doing this for years. Toronto has won three of their four games against Milwaukee this season. Expect the Bucks to lose their share of close games but the Raptors should be able to handle Milwaukee. The bigger question for the Raptors is whether this can be the year they make a Finals run. Toronto made the mid-season move to add Ibaka specifically with the playoffs in mind. At times, Ibaka stats have been better than his impact on the game. Raptors fans will be watching to see if that changes during the playoffs.

Prediction: Raptors in 5 games (Getty)

East: No. 5 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 4 Washington Wizards

Matchup to Watch: Dennis Schroder vs. John Wall

Outlook: This may be the point guard matchup filled with the most combined confidence of any in the playoffs. Schroder has the ability to make your jaw drop for both good and bad reasons. Which player will show up in the playoffs? He has a difficult assignment against John Wall. Wall is having the best season of his career with career-highs in points, assists and steals. The Wizards won three of their four games against the Hawks this season. This does not look like a particularly good matchup for the Hawks against a Wizards team that very easily could have been a couple seeds higher. The Wizards backcourt combined with the emergence of Otto Porter giveS Washington the heavy advantage in this series. Washington has enough talent to upset the Cavaliers if they square off in the next round.

Prediction: Wizards in 5 games (Getty)

West: No. 5 Utah Jazz vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers

Matchup to Watch: Rudy Gobert vs. DeAndre Jordan

Outlook: The Clippers were able to secure home court in the series. Our spotlight focuses on two defensive bigs who are cut from the same cloth. Rudy Gobert and DeAndre Jordan are old school big men who can rebound and block shots. It is going to be fun to watch them battle in the paint during the series. While it is hard to have faith in the Clippers, they are playing well to close the season. Look for them to just narrowly pull out the series, but the Jazz can give them a run for their money. Los Angeles showed during the regular season they were the better team winning three of four games against the Jazz. All three of their wins came by double digits. (Getty)

Prediction: Clippers in 6 games (Getty)