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The NBA Playoffs second round starts today, very shortly at that. The two #1 seed teams, the Golden State Warriors (out West) and the Atlanta Hawks (out East) want to get this second round party started with a win. They both tip off at home against #5 seeded teams, the Memphis Grizzlies (though really the higher seed than the Portland Trail Blazers), and the Washington Wizards. The Wizards, who usually cooperate with Hawks (LOTR reference) brought their "IT Factor" to Canada, and advanced. John Wall and Paul Pierce are fierce, but the Hawks are legion with Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll, Paul Millsap, and Al Horford. Memphis is grit and grind, and have dominant bigs in Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, if they can control the glass they can control the pace of play. If they can control the pace of play they can limit Golden State's while Nellie-ball on cocaine type of game that Steve Kerr has the Dubs playing. Of course, there's a reason why the Warriors are so good, and it's because they ARE good. They've beaten everyone this season and look to continue doing that in the second round.
- Wizards (4-0) @ Hawks (4-2) -- 11:00 AM MT on ABC
- Grizzlies (4-1) @ Warriors (4-0) -- 1:30 PM MT on ABC
Will a 5th seed team steal the first game?