NBA Playoffs: Great Games in Round 2

Can Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook win together? Photo credit NBA 

After an epic first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs, round 2 is ready to tip-off. Is everything okay for Indiana now? Can the Clippers continue to overcome? Is LeBron really what the Brooklyn Nets want? What are the betting odds?

by +Rodney Fisher

Indiana Pacers vs Washington Wizards

Just when many contemplated the thought of the "30 for 30" special on the collapse of the 2014 #1 seed Indiana Pacers, they save themselves by beating the number eight seed Atlanta Hawks in seven games. Game 7 was by far the Pacers best showing in the first round and also gave them confidence that they can win a playoff game at home this postseason. Though they are better physically than last year, something mentally seems different about the team. Coach Frank Vogel lost command of the ship sometime back in late March. They have enough firepower on both ends of the court to beat the young Washington Wizards; that is not the question. Can they man-up and play to their potential? Or will looking forward to a possible Miami match-up hurt them? For more information you can read NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Playoff Betting.

John Wall, Bradley Beal, and company are in uncharted territory for the Wizards. They have had more time to rest by beating the Chicago Bulls in five games, but have been riding a high ever since. For a young team, percentages suggest they have better postseason success the more games they play. Mentally it allows for less distractions. The Wiz have the luxury of playing with a "nothing to lose" attitude. Getting in the playoffs and past the first round exceeds their expectations coming into the 2013-14 NBA Season. Will the Wizards backcourt run rampant like the Hawks' backcourt did? Will NeNe and Marcin Gortat outplay Roy Hibbert and David West?

OKC Thunder vs LA Clippers

The biggest storyline that exist for the Thunder is the same storyline that permeates every conversation about this team. Can Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant win together? Durant can put the exclamation point on a MVP season. Luckily, for his series they will need to score as many points as possible to have a chance against the Clips. For head coach Scott Brooks the bright lights are getting hotter and hotter. He will be the first to go if they fall short of winning the Western Conference this postseason. One could make the argument that if Z-Bo would have not been suspended and Mike Conley has 100% healthy, chances are Memphis would be traveling to LA. Can Durant prove to the world he is the best player on the planet? Can Westbrook play point guard when the time calls for it?

They Clippers storyline has made it's way to CNN and Barbara Walters of all people. As more information comes out about the Sterlings, and NBA takes control of the team's operations, Doc Rivers and his troops will again have to stay focused on basketball only. Winning Game 7 over Golden State while Mrs. Sterling sat courtside was huge. Although their star point guard and floor general Chris Paul is not 100%, the team has drawn energy from their home crowd which makes this series without home court advantage tough. Will Blake Griffin continue his march to become an elite offensive player? Can Doc Rivers keep the team focused on basketball?

Miami Heat vs Brooklyn Nets

The Heat are coming off a much needed eight days of rest. The Nets are getting what they wanted in a semifinal match-up against LeBron James and company, but can Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett really turn back time? Although Brooklyn beat Miami four times this season, the playoffs are a different game. The Heat will need to stay in postseason mode in order to keep the Nets from any hope of winning this series. Can the Heat sweep the Nets and get more rest? Can Dewyane Wade stay healthy the entire series?

Brooklyn needs to hope the KG and Pierce have saved their best for last. First year head coach Jason Kidd has had success against LeBron in the playoffs, but as a player not a coach. Their biggest question mark is who is going to guard LeBron?

San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trailblazers

It took the Spurs seven games to get pass the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, but you would have never known it if you only watched Game 7. They will look to dominate the Trailblazers the same way. Manu Ginobili appears to be playing better than he did last post season, but the will need to shoot the three-ball better from the other players to keep pace. Can Tony Parker outplay Damian Lillard? Can anyone guard Aldridge?

The Blazers will have their hands full. Lillard's thrilling shot saved them from a tough Game 7 on the road. The Spurs play much better defense than the Rockets could imagine. Role players like Wesley Matthews and Nick Batum will have to take advantage since all the attention will be on the duo of Aldridge and Lillard. Can coach Terry Stotts make the right adjustments from game-to-game? Can the Blazers steal home-court advantage like round 1?