NBA Playoffs 2014 Predictions: 5 Teams That Could Make Surprising Postseason Runs [VIDEO]
The 2014 NBA playoffs are starting to look like it might be full of surprises.
In what is shaping up to be an unpredictable first round of the playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks are suddenly looking like an actual threat to what was supposed to be an NBA Finals-bound Indiana Pacers squad; the Washington Wizards are starting to come of age at the expense of an injury-laden Chicago Bulls squad; and the Memphis Grizzlies are looking to spoil Kevin Durant and the heavily-favored Oklahoma City Thunder's title dreams for the second year in a row.
Granted, it's a little harder in the NBA to make a spoiler run; thanks to the best-of-seven format, teams can't just have a lucky night and advance like in the NCAA tournament's one-and-done bracket. However, that's not to say that there haven't been a few surprises in the 57-year history of the NBA Playoffs. In 1994, Dikembe Mutombo and the No.8-seeded Denver Nuggets shocked the world when they upset Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton and the West No.1-ranked Seattle Supersonics. In 1995, Hakeem Olajuwon's No.6 West seed Houston Rockets made a memorable run to a second straight NBA title. And in 1999, Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell and the underrated No.8 East seed the New York Knicks dropped jaws when they went all the way to the NBA Finals that year.
This year, the field is looking a bit more unstable than normal, which means that the time to bust up some brackets and make Vegas oddsmakers yank their hair out is now. Let's take a look at some of the teams most likely to make surprise runs in this year's NBA playoffs:
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Atlanta Hawks
On paper, the Hawks don't really look like they're scaring anyone. However, for a team that was supposed to be a one-and-done team and, apparently, a team that wasn't even trying to make the playoffs, they're sure putting a scare into the heavily-favored Indiana Pacers. After dominating Game 1, the underdog Hawks have an opportunity to stun a discombobulated and vulnerable Pacers squad. Underrated Hawks star Jeff Teague (21.0 points, 4.5 assists this postseason) has shown that he's no slouch in the point guard role, while Paul Millsap has been strong as ever for the Hawks, putting up 22.0 points in the first round. In a weakened Eastern Conference, if the Hawks knock off the top seed, don't be surprised to see them make a run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Washington Wizards
They're young, they're hungry, and most importantly, they're relatively healthy, and that has allowed the surprising Wizards to have the veteran Chicago Bulls reeling as they've gone up 2-0 on the Bulls in this best-of-seven first round. The oak-like, 6'11" Nene Hilario has been a solid rock of production for the Wizards (14.2 points, 5.5 rebounds) while Bradley Beal and the sensational John Wall have formed perhaps the most talented backcourt in the East side of the playoffs bracket. For a young, dangerous team, confidence is a deadly thing to give them, and right now, Washington is definitely feeling it. Only three teams have ever come back from an 0-2 start at home to win a playoff series, so the odds are in the Wizards' favor. Don't be surprised if they work some magic to stick around deep into the playoffs.
Brooklyn Nets
They may be old, but they're more formidable than they were even last year. When the Toronto Raptors front office and the local media started trash-talking on the veteran Nets (led by former NBA Champions Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce), Brooklyn responded with a sound Game 1 victory. While the series is all tied up, Pierce and Garnett are too wily and too fired up from the many years of playoff wars to ever be counted out, and Pierce is as lethal as ever in prime time, big game situations. And with the uber-talented Deron Williams and top scorer Joe Johnson shoring up their starting lineup, the No.6-seeded Nets can't be counted out just yet. If they end up making the Eastern Conference Finals, well, it wouldn't be the first time that KG and "The Truth" ever had to face down LeBron James and company.
Memphis Grizzlies
Last season's Western Conference Finalists are seeded a rather low No.7 in a talent-laden West, but don't let their low seed fool you; this defensive juggernaut is just as lethal as they were last season, which is why they are currently split with the OKC Thunder in the first round of their playoff series. The Grizzlies' Big Three of Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and bruising center Marc Gasol -- who may only be together for one last run before ZeBo hits free agency this summer -- are still performing at a high level, and combined with Memphis' relentless commitment to defense, the Grizzlies are poised to make life miserable for a few unlucky teams in the West this spring.
Golden State Warriors
If there is any team with more upside than the Golden State Warriors, this writer would be hard-pressed to find it. Just ask the San Antonio Spurs -- who fought the Warriors tooth and nail in last year's six-game semifinals -- how tough the Warriors are. Stephen Curry's been getting the "Overrated" chants against the L.A. Clippers, and there's a reason -- he's become a guy that opposing fans and teams are legitimately afraid of. Curry might be the future among point guards in the NBA, and backed by stars like the deadly big man David Lee, sharpshooting shooting guard Klay Thompson and a stacked team that includes Andre Iguodala, Jermaine O'Neal and Harrison Barnes, the Warriors just need a little steam behind them and they could be poised to make an upset run.
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