NBA Playoffs: Ranking Each First Round Match-Up

The NBA Playoffs are set to begin this coming weekend as all sixteen teams are locked into their seedings. Which first round series will be the best to watch?

The 2015-16 NBA season had it’s fair share of storylines throughout the season. From the Golden State Warriors chasing history for a record 73 wins to the great Kobe Bryant playing in his last season. What about the San Antonio Spurs finishing with a top 10 record all-time while everyone talks about the other storylines?

But storylines aside, it’s time for the best postseason basketball across the world.

In the West, the Warriors and Spurs were far and away the best teams in the conference and quite frankly the whole league. Oklahoma City stayed healthy to finish in 3rd while the Clippers found themselves finishing fourth while being without Blake Griffin for good portion of the year.

The last four seeds in the West were all up for grabs going into the last few games of the season as Portland, Dallas, Memphis, and Houston all succeeded in clinching spots, forcing Utah to the lottery once again.

In the East, it’s the Cleveland Cavaliers conference to lose as they once again have the top seed locked down in the conference. Toronto is still looking to take the next step as a contender while Miami is lurking in the distance. The bottom of the East is centered around teams that could have a bright future, but still lack the team to legitimately contend.

The ranking is simply based on which series will be the most competitive and most fun to watch. Here is a ranking of the best first round match-ups heading into the weekend…

Next: Grizzlies/Spurs