Mar 1, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is guarded by Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
As the 2017 NBA Playoffs approach, here's a look at 10 potential postseason matchups we want to see the most, from the first round all the way to the Finals.
With another three weeks of regular season action left, the seeding for the 2017 NBA Playoffs is nowhere near being set in stone.
The Cleveland Cavaliers only hold a one-game lead over the Boston Celtics for the 1-seed in the East, while the Golden State Warriors possess a 2.5 game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for the top spot in the West.
The Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans are all still in the running for the eighth seed in the West, while there's only a 3.5-game gap between the No. 5 Atlanta Hawks and the No. 10 Detroit Pistons in the East.
We'll see plenty of jostling for position among playoff contenders over the next few weeks, providing plenty of intrigue for fans of the 21 franchises who are either already in, or still have a fighting chance at securing a top-eight spot.
The question is, which matchups should we be looking forward to as the 2017 NBA Playoffs creep closer?
From the first round to the conference finals to the NBA Finals, we're going to take a look at 10 potential playoff matchups that would provide juicy storylines, produce competitive games and could actually occur in this year's postseason.
Though the seeding will flip-flop back and forth over the next few weeks, these are the 10 playoff matchups fans should be hoping to see at some point in 2017.
Mar 20, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
10. Western Conference First Round: No. 2 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 7 Oklahoma City Thunder
We start with our most unlikely first round playoff matchup, which would require the Golden State Warriors (currently 2.5 games ahead of the San Antonio Spurs for the 1-seed) to drop to No. 2, and the Oklahoma City Thunder (currently one game ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 6) to fall to No. 7.
However, if those two things were to somehow transpire, we'd get the juiciest narrative-driven matchup of the first round. Russell Westbrook against Kevin Durant and the team that not only knocked OKC out of the playoffs last year, but poached KD away? It doesn't get much better than that.
Warriors' Stephen Curry scraps with Thunder's Russell Westbrook (full video) pic.twitter.com/Xv38FaLvdN
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) March 21, 2017
Unfortunately, as much fun as the storylines would be, and as much as we could count on at least one jaw-dropping Westbrook performance and 17 on-court scuffles, this series probably wouldn't be very competitive.
In their four regular season meetings, the Dubs went 4-0 against the Thunder, winning those games by an average margin of 19.8 points — even with two of those games being at Chesapeake Energy Arena and one of them being without a healthy Durant.
Westbrook would have every reason to come out with fire in his eyes, but his otherworldly triple-double average fell to 27.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 9.5 assists per game on dismal .375/.269/.840 shooting splits against Golden State this season.
Much like their regular season meetings, a potential Warriors-Thunder series would lean heavily on narrative and on-court tension more than the actual competitiveness of the matchup. Since the Dubs will probably secure the No. 1 seed, the only way we'd see this series anyway is if OKC climbs to No. 5 or No. 4 and advances to the Western Conference semifinals.
Mar 13, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) pushes Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) away from LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
9. Western Conference First Round: No. 4 Utah Jazz vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers
Does any potential playoff matchup in the first round have as much riding on it for both teams as this one? The Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers are both approaching critical decisions this summer, and the loser of this series could have a drastically different-looking roster in 2017-18.
For the Clippers, they're one disappointing playoff run away from losing one, two or all of their free agency trio in Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick. CP3 and Griffin can both opt out of their contracts to become unrestricted free agents, and Redick's faith in this team isn't exactly rock solid at the moment.
Without a single conference finals appearance to its name, the Lob City era could be over with a first round exit.
Utah's situation is not so dire, but with George Hill and probably Gordon Hayward hitting free agency this summer, plus the injury-belabored Derrick Favors hitting free agency next summer, the Jazz front office will need to make some hard decisions about this young team's ceiling and which pieces of it are worth investing in.
Then there's the actual on-court matchup in one of the more unpredictable first round series in either conference. Rudy Gobert vs. DeAndre Jordan? Two defensive-minded point guards who are better offensive players than people give them credit for in Chris Paul and George Hill? Lob City's star-studded Big Three and No. 7 offense against a more balanced, deeper Utah team and its third-ranked defense?
As of right now, the Jazz's one-game lead over LAC would give them home-court advantage in this series, which could help balance out their lack of playoff experience. The Clippers might be favored either way, but this would be a fun series even without factoring in all the possible ramifications for the loser.
Mar 6, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
8. Eastern Conference First Round: No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Miami Heat/Milwaukee Bucks
Just as long as the 8-seed in the Eastern Conference doesn't go to the Detroit Pistons or Chicago Bulls, we'll be happy with the Cleveland Cavaliers' first round opponent.
It's nothing personal, Bulls and Pistons fans, but you can't deny that seeing the defending champs face one of these two teams in the first round would be WAYYYY more enjoyable.
While the Bulls are a drama-fueled dumpster fire and the Pistons are a massive disappointment, the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks have been two of the league's hottest and most enjoyable teams over the last few weeks.
After starting the season 11-30, the Heat have reeled off wins in 24 of their last 29 games. From Erik Spoelstra's masterful coaching job to Goran Dragic looking like the 2013-14 version of himself that earned Third Team All-NBA honors to Hassan Whiteside's interior prowess to James Johnson being a Swiss Army knife off the bench to the high-flying Tyler Johnson, there's a TON to like here.
Our only regret is that in a potential rematch between LeBron James and his old team, Dion Waiters may not be healthy in time for a couple of playoff revenge games.
Dion Waiters hits daggers 3 from deep, then talks trash to Cavs fans pic.twitter.com/wvbskvaOAU
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) March 7, 2017
As for the Bucks, they've won 10 of their last 12 games and a healthy Khris Middleton has been a more than viable replacement for the injured Jabari Parker. Milwaukee has climbed the Eastern ladder all the way to No. 6, but currently holds only a one-game lead over Miami at No. 8 and is tied with the Indiana Pacers' record at 36-35.
In one matchup, we'd be getting a red-hot Heat team that ranks fifth in defensive rating and, with a healthy Dion Waiters, a potential revenge series. In the other, we'd at least be getting Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. LeBron James in a preview of the NBA's future changing of the guard.
Either way, we just want the Cavs to face more of a challenge on their path back to the NBA Finals, and even if neither team presents a serious threat to Cleveland as an upset, they both would at least make them work a little bit.
December 20, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20, right) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, left) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
7. Western Conference Semifinals: No. 1 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 4 Utah Jazz
On to the second round! Much like that unlikely Warriors-Thunder playoff showdown, there's a possibility the Dubs face another Western rival in the Los Angeles Clippers in the conference semis.
But would it really be enjoyable to see the Clips look depressingly outmatched in the playoffs again, especially since the Warriors have won their last 10 meetings against Lob City with an average point differential of +12.9?
Rather than serve up the poor Clippers to be sliced and diced by their Pacific Division rival, we'd rather see Utah embrace another test as one of the few defenses in the league that might actually be able to slow down Golden State's nuclear-powered offense.
Utah's third-ranked D might stand a chance against the Dubs' league-leading offense, especially if Rudy Gobert has a breakout series and solidifies his case for Defensive Player of the Year.
The Jazz probably wouldn't win this series, but in three of their six meetings over the last two seasons, Utah made the Warriors work as much as any team. Sure, all six of those meetings were Golden State wins, but that's more competitive than the Clippers have been!
In a playoff series, the pace slows down and defense matters more. That might help make things more competitive, even though it's highly unlikely we see anyone but Golden State advance to the conference finals.
Jan 24, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) passes the ball as Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) and center Kelly Olynyk (41) defend during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
6. Eastern Conference Semifinals: No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 3 Washington Wizards
Not only would this be the most entertaining individual second round matchup for both the Boston Celtics and the Washington Wizards, but it'd also be a showdown between two very good teams who genuinely do not like each other.
Remember when John Wall started talking s**t to Jae Crowder and the two got into a postgame shoving match? Remember when the Wizards planned to dress in black for a funeral in their next head-to-head meeting and Isaiah Thomas called it "cute"?
Yeah, there would be no love lost between these two in a potential playoff series.
The on-court matchups would be intriguing as well. Two fringe MVP candidates/two of the best point guards in the NBA would be going head-to-head in Isaiah Thomas and John Wall. There'd be a Battle of the Bradleys as Avery Bradley would try to shut down Bradley Beal.
Two of the league's most undervalued wings in Jae Crowder and Otto Porter Jr. would be matching up. There'd be a battle of the benches as impact players like Marcus Smart and Bojan Bogdanovic would try to outdo each other. Even Al Horford vs. double-double machine Marcin Gortat would be entertaining.
The Wizards have won 27 of their 39 games since the start of 2017, while the Celtics have won 26 of their 38 games in the new year. If the Celtics can't make up that one-game gap behind the Cavs and stay in the No. 2 spot, and if Washington keeps its spot at No. 3 (one game ahead of Toronto), we'd more than likely see this grudge match unfold.
This series would probably decide who advances to face the Cavaliers in the conference finals, it'd be a tooth-and-nail slugfest between two teams that hate each other and the star-powered matchups would be incredible. What more could you want from the semifinals?
Mar 6, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) is fouled while shooting by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
5. Western Conference semifinals: No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 3 Houston Rockets
In another 2-3 second round matchup, we have the two biggest threats to Golden State's third consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. While most people are salivating over a potential showdown between the Warriors and San Antonio Spurs in the conference finals, we shouldn't sleep on the Houston Rockets causing problems for Gregg Popovich's squad in the semis.
If the current seeding holds, we'd likely be getting a matchup between a dominant Spurs team and an MVP candidate who's historically given them problems in James Harden (assuming San Antonio dismantles Memphis again in the first round and the Rockets beat either the Thunder or Clippers).
While a Rockets-Thunder series would provide a head-to-head gauntlet between perhaps the two MVP frontrunners, Harden vs. Kawhi Leonard would be another battle between two legitimate MVP candidates. Though the Spurs won the season series 3-1, those four games were decided by a total of 12 points, and all three Rockets losses were by two points.
Kawhi Leonard's 24 second argument for MVP pic.twitter.com/1G1BhhPJ21
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) March 7, 2017
The Spurs have the advantages of depth, coaching, Kawhi putting the clamps on star players and the NBA's top-ranked defense. The Rockets have perhaps the best offensive creator in the game, a barrage of three-pointers and the league's second-ranked offense. In a battle for Texas supremacy, this would be a juicy second round showdown.
Harden would be fighting to prove himself as a legitimate leader, the deserving MVP frontrunner and that Mike D'Antoni's offense can lead to championship glory. Kawhi would be trying to prove himself once again as Tim Duncan's successor, along with fighting the somehow-still-a-thing perception that he's a "system player."
It'd be a battle between offense and defense, from overall team playing style to the superstars who'd be facing off. No matter who wins this potential series, we'd all win from getting to soak it all in.
Dec 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) dribbles the ball past Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
4. Eastern Conference semifinals: No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 4 Toronto Raptors
If we get both Celtics-Wizards and a 1-4 matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors, the 2017 Eastern Conference playoffs will be 10 times more lit than they were in 2016.
While the competitiveness of this series would largely depend on Kyle Lowry making a full recovery and quickly shaking off the rust from a wrist injury, if everyone's healthy enough to play, this is an enticing matchup that could seriously challenge LeBron James and company.
Though the Raptors are ranked 10th in defensive rating for the season, they've been the NBA's fifth-ranked defense since the All-Star Break, when they added stretch-4 Serge Ibaka and iron man P.J. Tucker.
.@Raptors have a 135.9 ORTG and 96.8 DRTG when Serge Ibaka plays small-ball 5 & Tucker is in the game, per @nbastats https://t.co/22pcxytIjj
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 8, 2017
Those moves didn't land the Raptors another superstar to pair with Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, but they provided gritty, defensive-minded players specifically meant to challenge Cleveland. No one can "stop" LeBron James, but Tucker makes him work as hard as anyone and his penchant for clutch rebounding could come in handy in a tight playoff game.
Ibaka spreads the floor to three-point range on one end and bolsters the team's interior defense on the other, helping to cover for Jonas Valanciunas' flaws on defense and allowing the Raptors to play small with Ibaka at the 5.
The Cavs have won all three meetings with Toronto this season, but none of them featured Ibaka and Tucker. Cleveland should still be the favorite in this potential series, but as we mentioned before, we just want to see more competitive playoff basketball in the East this year. Luckily for us, "We The North" could be ready to provide it as early as the second round.
Nov 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) drives to the basket between Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 128-122. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
3. Eastern Conference Finals: No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 2 Boston Celtics
No offense to the Wizards, the Raptors or the various challenges either one would pose for the Cavs, but if you're looking for the biggest threat to Cleveland in the East, it's still the Boston Celtics.
Assuming we get Cavaliers-Raptors in the second round, the blessings would be raining down if we got a seven-game series between LeBron James and the city of Boston in the conference finals. It's really the only proper way to follow up the two epic semifinal series we already covered.
Cleveland owns the season series against the Celtics 2-1 so far, but all three games were decided by six points or less. These two teams don't like each other, the city of Boston and LeBron don't like each other and the individual matchups here are fascinating.
Can Isaiah Thomas continue his MVP-caliber play in the most important playoff series of his career, especially when LeBron gets switched onto him in a pinch? Can Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart cool down Kyrie Irving heat checks? Will Jae Crowder be able to contain King James and prevent him from completely going off?
Will Tristan Thompson eat Al Horford alive on the boards like he did in their last two head-to-head playoff meetings? Can a young Celtics bench make an impact against Cleveland's three-point onslaught? Will Kevin Love unleash a revenge series because of the Kelly Olynyk incident from 2015?
There are tons of questions to be answered here, and though the edge would clearly be in Cleveland's favor simply because of the LeBron factor, the Celtics would provide the Cavs with their greatest challenge in the East over the last two seasons.
Barring injury, this would be a gritty, old-fashioned slugfest between the two best teams in the conference. The Wizards and Raptors might present their own challenges for the Cavaliers, but if you're looking for the most competitive matchup in the East for the defending champs, look no further than this potentially juicy series against Boston.
October 25, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots the basketball against San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) and guard Tony Parker (9) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
2. Western Conference Finals: No. 1 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 2 San Antonio Spurs
A Warriors-Rockets conference finals might be more competitive than people think, but if anyone's going to knock Golden State off that Western pedestal, it's the Spurs. Considering we haven't gotten a Warriors-Spurs playoff series since 2013, we're due for a rematch.
Back then, the Warriors weren't title contenders yet. In 2014, the Dubs lost in a hard-fought seven-game first round series against the Clippers with Mark Jackson at the helm. Then Steve Kerr took over and Golden State became a title contender, but in 2015 and 2016, the Spurs failed to hold up their end of the bargain, losing to the Clippers in the first round and the Thunder in the second round during their franchise-record 67-win season.
With the Dubs and Spurs set to finish in the top-two in the West for the second season in a row, last year's highly anticipated conference finals shouldn't be postponed for another year. It's time to settle this battle for Western supremacy head-to-head.
The Dubs have the league's best record, best point differential, best offense and second-best defense. The Spurs own the NBA's second-best record, second-best point differential, best defense and sixth-best offense. This would be a true clash of titans.
San Antonio is up 2-0 in the season series so far, with those wins coming by a whopping 29 and 22 points. However, the first defeat came in Golden State's first game with Kevin Durant when there were still kinks to work out, and the second came in a contest where Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant AND Andre Iguodala all sat out.
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We haven't seen these two teams play each other in their full grooves yet, but there's no better time than the 2017 Western Conference Finals.
Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant would face off in a battle of two of the NBA's best two-way players and most lethal isolation scorers. Klay Thompson and Danny Green would be sniping from the wing. Draymond Green would have to slow down LaMarcus Aldridge and/or Pau Gasol for stretches.
The young and unproven Warriors bench would have to replicate its regular season success against an experienced Spurs second unit. Stephen Curry would have to make San Antonio pay despite experiencing his fair share of struggles against this team over the years.
The Rockets have been a blast this year, and a conference finals run from Russell Westbrook and company would be unbelievably fun, but if you're looking for the best conference finals matchup, it'd undoubtedly involve six or seven games of Warriors vs. Spurs.
Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
1. NBA Finals: No. 1 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers
No offense to all the Celtics, Rockets, Wizards, Raptors and especially Spurs fans out there, but the most predicted 2017 NBA Finals matchup would also be its most appealing.
Spurs and Cavaliers showdowns have been great over the years, but everyone is holding their breath for Part 3 of Warriors vs. Cavaliers, and rightfully so — throughout NBA history, the same two teams have never met in the Finals three straight times.
If everything shakes out as expected, that will change in 2017, when two revamped title contenders complete their collision course and meet in this year's championship series.
A 73-win Warriors team that was one win away from back-to-back titles added Kevin Durant to the equation. The defending champs and their stellar starting five added Kyle Korver, Derrick Williams, Deron Williams and Larry Sanders to round out last year's lackluster bench. Both teams somehow got stronger, contrary to what their records might say. This would be the best possible Finals matchup, hands down.
Curry trying to exact revenge on Kyrie after last year's Game 7 game-winner. LeBron vs. KD in the Finals once again in a battle of perhaps the two greatest players in the NBA. Klay Thompson vs. J.R. Smith. Draymond Green, his flailing limbs and his quest for Game 5 suspension redemption against a healthy Kevin Love in his best Cleveland season yet. Golden State's untested bench against an improved Cavs second unit. This matchup couldn't be juicier.
In 2015, a clearly superior Warriors team shook off some early jitters and handily won despite the series going to six games. In 2016, a clearly superior Warriors team watched as its historic season was flushed down the drain by Green's costly suspension and a Herculean effort from LeBron.
In 2017, the story has yet to be written. But if the basketball gods are kind, we'll get to settle this 1-1 NBA Finals tie with a third and decisive showdown between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.
