This year, the race for the NBA championship has more serious title contenders than any other season in recent history. The Golden State Warriors are the obvious favorite, but to get to the Finals, it will be no cakewalk. Six of the eight teams in the stacked Western Conference have a serious chance of running the table, while in the East, Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ only battle will be with the Atlanta Hawks. But will a dark horse in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference make a deep playoff run? Will Stephen Curry and the Dubs be able to come out on top in a stacked Western Conference? Over the next few weeks, all of our questions will be answered, a champion will be crowned, and legends will be made.

For now, let’s take a look at my picks for the opening round of the NBA playoffs, which will begin this weekend on April 18-19.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1)Atlanta Hawks vs (8) Brooklyn Nets

Looking down the line of first round playoff matchups, this is bound to be perhaps the most boring. That is, unless you’re a Hawks fan and you enjoy watching a great team blow out a sub .500 team that should not even be in the playoffs. The Hawks swept their season series with the Nets, and I expect it to be the same this postseason. Oakleys Prediction: Hawks win series 4-0.

(2)Cleveland Cavaliers vs (7)Boston Celtics

When you have LeBron James on your team, it’s guaranteed that you’ll win the first round of the playoffs. Heck, it’s almost a given that you’ll make it to the Conference Finals! Even though the rest of the Cavs are relatively young and inexperienced, with LeBron’s leadership, playmaking and scoring ability, they are destined to at least make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. But the Celtics aren’t going to just give in. They’re gonna fight tooth and nail, just as they did to make it into the postseason. But sadly, the Cavs roster’s talent is just too much for the Celtics. Oakley’s Prediction: Cavaliers win series 4-1

(3)Chicago Bulls vs (6)Milwaukee Bucks

One of the more pleasant surprises of the season, the Milwaukee Bucks ended the season with a 41-41 record. While this may not sound praiseworthy, we must remember that last year the Bucks were the worst team in the league with only 15 wins. This season they’ve also dealt with injuries, big trade disruptions, and a new coach, and surprisingly they seem to have great team chemistry, while also maintaining the 2nd best defensive rating in the league, at 99.3. The Chicago Bulls, on the other hand, seem to be as healthy as they’ve been all season, which is quite a feat, as Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and others have struggled to remain healthy all at one time this season. This will be a fun local battle, as the stadiums are only 90 miles away from each other. In the end, I see the Buck’s inability to put points on the board as their downfall, but I think that they will give the  Bulls a good run for their money, bringing it right down to Game 6. Oakley’s Prediction: Bulls win series 4-2

(4)Toronto Raptors (5)Washington Wizards

Unlike the rest of the Eastern first round, this matchup will be a dogfight. Washington has the fifth stingiest defense, while Toronto boasts the 3rd most efficient offense. Both teams have all star point guards that have the ability to lead their team and takeover the game by facilitating the ball and creating opportunities for their teammates.This will be a tightly contested seven game series, but, in the end, it will come down to who plays better defense. Oakley’s Prediction: Wizards win series 4-3

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1)Golden State Warriors vs (8)New Orleans Pelicans

The Golden State Warriors come roaring into this postseason with 67 wins, while also boasting the best defensive efficiency rating in the league, in addition to the second best offense. Behind two shooting superstars, a strong supporting cast, a determined player’s coach, and an incredible ho        me court advantage, it seems that nothing will slow down the Warriors from claiming the Larry O’Brien trophy in June. On the other hand, the New Orleans Pelicans scratched and clawed their way into postseason, getting the 8th spot only by virtue of tie breaker. In his third professional season, Anthony Davis will get to make his postseason debut, and he will really have to do something tremendous to defeat Goliath. ESPN gives the Pelicans only a seven percent chance to pull off the upset. The Pelicans will give their all, but they don’t stand a chance against this historically talented Warriors team. Oakley’s Prediction: Warriors win series 4-1

(2)Houston Rockets vs (7)Dallas Mavericks

With MVP candidate James Harden on their side, there will be no shortage of scoring for the Rockets. Scoring 27.4 points per game and dishing out 8 assists per game, offense won’t be concerning the Rockets. What they should be concerned about is defense, which is currently the 17th best in the league. Dallas, on the other hand, has been on a decline, losing a lot of games since the acquisition of Rajon Rondo. Rondo has seemed to disrupt team chemistry, and it seems that Harden is tired of first round exits, and will do all that he can to keep his team from yet another early exit. Oakley’s Prediction: Rockets win series 4-2

(3)San Antonio Spurs vs(6)Los Angeles Clippers

This matchup is a great example of why the playoffs need to be restructured. Two amazing teams are playing each other in the first round. This should be a Conference Finals matchup really, as the defending champs are facing the most efficient offense in the league. On paper, the Clippers are more talented, and have more style and flair than anyone else in the league. But as we all know, the Spurs have a knack for shining in the postseason through unselfish team basketball. This will be an intense battle between two different types of teams. I feel that the Spurs will become a little complacent and the title hungry Clips will pull of the 4 wins. Oakley’s Prediction: Clippers win series 4-3

(4)Portland Trail Blazers vs (5)Memphis Grizzlies

This matchup will be a physical, brutal test for both teams. Memphis limits opponents to 95.1 points per game on average, while Portland has a top 10 offense and limits opponents to 98.6 points per game. Marc Gasol will do battle with Lamarcus Aldridge in the post, while guard play between all star Damian Lillard and Courtney Lee will prove to be quite a matchup. While Lillard’s prolific clutch time play will be a factor, one of the strongest defenses in the league will prove to be too strong for Lillard’s heroics. Oakley’s Prediction: Grizzlies win series 4-2