NBA Playoffs 2016: Updated Postseason Bracket Picture, Results and Predictions

Unfortunately, there’s no fast-forward button for the NBA postseason.

This year’s first round has fans longing for the old best-of-five format. Lopsided victories have permeated the schedule, and two of the rare exceptions resulted from Stephen Curry sitting out Games 2 and 3 against the Houston Rockets. On Friday night, two teams took a step closer to a sweep.

This weekend will either add some needed intrigue or push one-sided series closer to the finish line. Sounds like a win-win. With four games apiece on Saturday and Sunday, there are plenty of chances to spark the proceedings. 

Will the playoffs receive a welcome injection of captivating games? Here are some predictions for what lies ahead this round.

No Western Conference Series Goes Beyond Five Games

There’s a clearly defined class structure in the Western Conference, where the top four seeds are significantly superior to the other four. That will make for two worthwhile semifinal appetizers to a Warriors-San Antonio Spurs dream showdown but not before an underwhelming first round.

Sure, the Dallas Mavericks stole one on the road from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Even so, the Thunder have outscored the Mavericks by 66 points this series.

When Kevin Durant doesn’t labor through an all-time bad shooting performance, Dallas is no match for OKC’s frenetic tempo and high-powered offense. Kudos on the one upset, but don’t count on the league’s second-best offense scoring 84 points again behind 26 Durant misses. 

Maybe onlookers just liked the Portland Trail Blazers’ feel-good story of not tumbling without LaMarcus Aldridge. Or maybe they just wanted to see the Los Angeles Clippers fail. For whatever reason, this Nos. 4-5 matchup was branded as a far fairer fight.

The Clippers have instead coasted to victories of 20 and 21 points. In their second victory, Chris Paul compiled 25 points, six rebounds and five assists without a single turnover. Damian Lillard, meanwhile, is shooting 33.3 percent with 11 assists and eight turnovers this series.

Lillard could catch fire and even up the series at home, where Portland went 28-13 during the season. Yet the Clippers have not received enough credit as a …

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