The first round of the 2014 NBA playoffs has been nothing short of entertaining so far this past week. With most of the series four games in, four of the eight series are tied at two games apiece.
Both of the one seeds in the Eastern and Western conferences are facing difficult tasks through their series so far.
The Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers have each exchanged games through the first four games. The Pacers, who have been struggling since the middle of March, won a big game four 91-88 against the Hawks to even the series at two games each.
The 2011 NBA champions, the Dallas Mavericks, are up two games to one over the first seeded San Antonio Spurs through three games in the series.
The series would be favoring the Spurs if it was not for Mavericks’ Vince Carter who knocked down a corner three at the buzzer in the fourth quarter of game three to beat the Spurs 109-108.
A series that seemed to be over is the two time defending NBA champions Miami Heat, who are up three games to zero over the Charlotte Bobcats. More than 10 points has decided two of the first three games so far in the series. Plus with Bobcats’ star player Al Jefferson facing a foot injury, it seems that the Heat are rolling past the Bobcats.
Along with the Heat are the Washington Wizards, who are up three games to one over the Chicago Bulls. The Wizards took a commanding series lead in game four when Trevor Ariza scored 30 points in a 98-89 victory on Sunday.
The Wizards hope to end the series Tuesday night in Chicago to advance to the second round.
The last series in the Eastern conference is between the Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets, which is tied at two games apiece.
The series has been a battle between Raptors star DeMar DeRozan, and Nets veteran Paul Pierce. The winner will face either Miami or Charlotte in the net round.
Northern California and Southern California are tied at two games apiece. The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers have showcased a great series so far, with point guards Chris Paul and Stephen Curry. There has also been great post play with Clippers Blake Griffin against Warriors David Lee.
This series has provided the fans with high scoring offenses and physical defense through the first four games in this series.
The winner of the Warriors and Clippers will face either the Memphis Grizzlies or the Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round.
The Grizzlies and Thunder are also tied at two games apiece after the Thunder escaped with a game four victory in overtime, thanks to Reggie Jackson who scored a career-high 32 points.
