The Hawks and Cavs will both sweep their first round series
Playing against the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets, respectively, won’t pose a major threat to either of these teams. Heck, I’m not sure if any other of the lower-seeded candidates would do that this season. Nevertheless, it’s the matchups that they’ve been dealt.
The most important factor here is that both teams avoided a potential first round circus. The Hawks could’ve been in a scenario where they would be playing the team that knocked them out in the playoffs last season, the Indiana Pacers, only in reverse seed order. The Cavs could’ve been playing the Miami Heat — and we all know what would’ve come with that.
Still, expect the best two teams in the Eastern Conference to take care of business rather easily in the first round. Both will sweep their way to the second round.
Next: Upset in the second round?