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NBA Playoffs Day 1 Recap

By Jared Mueller

April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, center) and Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) are separated by NBA official Dan Crawford (left) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, center) and Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) are separated by NBA official Dan Crawford (left) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA Playoffs are underway and we will give you a daily recap of the games, specifically any relation to our Cleveland Cavaliers.

While the Cavs prepare for this afternoon’s game against the Detroit Pistons, the NBA Playoffs kicked off yesterday. We expect the Cavs to get to the NBA Finals, which means every other game could impact who the Cavs play and where they play them.

So we will take a daily look at the NBA Playoffs and recap the games for you and what, if any, impact they could have on the Cavs.

Pacers Vs Raptors

The Raptors fought the Cavs for the #1 overall seed, then fell in Game 1 of their series against the more veteran Pacers team. The Raptors vaunted backcourt seemed to press, with Kyle Lowry shooting 3 of 13 and DeMar DeRozan only hitting 5 of 19 shots. Corey Joseph played a very good game and Jonas Valanciunas was great on the boards, 19 rebounds in only 21 minutes, but fouled out.

The veteran Pacers were paced by star Paul George‘s 33 points while getting help from double-digit scoring from four of his teammates. Solomon Hill‘s ability to get to the free throw line was huge, he hit all 10 from the line, while rookie Myles Turner is showing he deserved to be a Lottery pick.

Expect the Raptors to take Game 2 at home but they have lost home court advantage against the more experienced Indiana bunch. These two beating each other up in a long series is nothing but good for the Cavs.

Series: 1 – 0 Pacers

Rockets Vs Warriors

The presumed favorites to win another NBA Title took care of their opponent quite easily. Only two real notes of interest for the Cavs from this game:

  1. Stephen Curry left the game in the 2nd Quarter to get his ankle re-taped. While no one is rooting for injuries, the Warriors with a limping Curry (or out altogether) would be a positive for the Cavs Title Hopes.
  2. Pesky Patrick Beverley got tangled up with Curry early in the game and is likely to be a pest all series (all 4 games of a series sweep that is). Beverley is a smaller, quicker version of Matthew Dellavedova. He also has more of an edge to his game and will bang around Steph which could help grind him down physically. Any little edge for the Cavs is a good thing.

Series: 1 – 0 Warriors

Celtics Vs Hawks

In a series that many thought the Celtics would take, the Hawks came out strong but blew their big lead before holding on for a 1 point victory. The Hawks struggle to deal with either success or failure very well. They gave up easily last year against the Cavs and took their foot off the gas in this game, at home, against the Celtics.

For Boston, they are very dependent on Isaiah Thomas to make shots and create for others on the offensive end. When he is going, the Celtics are scoring. When he struggles, the Celtics struggle. Avery Bradley‘s injury looked painful (based on his facial expression) and would be a huge loss for them. Thankfully they have drafted a lot of shooting guards over the last few years but none of Bradley’s ability.

If the Celtics get a quick boot from the NBA Playoffs once again this year, expect them to go hard after a big star like Kevin Love. They will likely be desperate which could play into the Cavs hands if they are also desperate from not winning an NBA Title. That is a long way down the road, just a quick thought.

Series: 1 – 0 Hawks

Mavericks Vs Thunder

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While everyone is focused on the Spurs and Warriors as potential Finals opponents for the Cavs, the Thunder present as the third option. In Game 1 of their series with Dallas, they proved to be way too much. Their 108 – 70 win was a destruction of a once proud franchise.

The surprising part was how the Thunder’s defense forced the Mavs into poor shots and frustrated them. Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 18 points but had a poor game. The quick start by the Thunder, 21 – 7 lead, allowed them to cruise.

A confident Thunder team, playing good defense can make things tough on either the Spurs or Warriors. If things go right, the Thunder would have to grind it out against the Spurs in the next round before facing the fast paced Warriors in the West Finals. A tough road but a good start in Game 1.

Obviously the Cavs would rather face the Thunder, especially after them having to face that gauntlet than either the Spurs or Warriors.

Series: 1 – 0 Thunder

What are some of your thoughts from Day 1 of the NBA Playoffs?