NBA Playoffs: Ranking Cavs Possible Finals Foes

Mar 10, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) readies a free throw during the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. New Orleans Pelicans won 111-91. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

9. New Orleans Pelicans

Record:  36 – 29

Current Western Conference Seed: 8th

Biggest Strength: Anthony Davis

Biggest Weakness: Depth

Trouble for Cavs: The play of the Pelicans big men could be difficult for the Cavaliers. Davis is a once and a generation type player with his ability to block shots, run the floor and shoot the mid-range shot. Omer Asik is a strong presence in the middle on defense, making drives to the lane more perilous for Cavs attackers. Backups Alexis Ajinca and Jeff Withey also have enough length to alter shots. Power forward Ryan Anderson has lit up the Cavs with his ability to stretch the floor for the past few seasons.

Cavs Edge: The Cavs have a big edge in the backcourt and on the wing. The threesome of Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith and LeBron James provides a little bit of everything on both sides of the court. The Pelicans counter with a point guard rotation that is either hobbled (Jrue Holiday) or limited (Tyreke Evans and Norris Cole), the brittle Eric Gordon at shooting guard and very limited small forward rotation. Expect the Cavs to dominate these three positions.

Finals Preview: The Cavs will want to get out and run to try to keep Asik out of the paint for drives by Irving and James. The Pelicans would have a similar plan in place to take advantage of Davis’ ability and the shooting of Anderson on the secondary break. The Pelicans are more likely to miss the NBA Playoffs but if they made the Finals it would be a fun match-up of the games Present (LeBron) and Future (Davis).

Next: Dallas Mavericks