Can LeBron James lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA title in his first season back with the franchise? As good as the Golden State Warriors have been during the regular season, are they equipped to be able to make a legitimate championship run?

Before we can get the answers to those questions, we must begin with the first round of the NBA playoffs. And with the first round tipping off Saturday, we took the time to predict every series. Hold us to these picks!

Western Conference First Round

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

This series features two of the NBA's brightest young stars in Golden State's Stephen Curry and New Orleans' Anthony Davis. Averaging 23.8 points and 7.7 assists, Stephen Curry led the Warriors to a 67-win season and top overall seed in the NBA and he did it with sniper-like shooting and ESPN Sportscenter-worthy crossovers. He just might be the most exciting player to watch in the NBA.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans are led by Anthony Davis, who perhaps had to put his team on his back more than any other player in the NBA this season. His stat line of 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game says as much. But the Pelicans just don't have the firepower to hang with the Warriors. Maybe, New Orleans behind a dominating Davis take one game, but that's being generous.

Prediction: Warrrrioooors come out and plaaaay...win in five games.

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks

James Harden, who averaged 27.4 points per game this season, made sure his Houston Rockets dominated the Dallas Mavericks, 3-1, this season. But the playoffs spell an entirely new season and we expect Dallas's veterans such as Dirk Nowitzki, Rajon Rondo and Tyson Chandler to not go down quietly.

Outspoken Mavs owner Mark Cuban even commented that the Rockets "are not a very good team" as part of a Grantland feature. In the end, though, the Beard's magical season will continue. Harden will see to it.

Prediction: Mavs fear the Beard, Rockets in six.

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

You know this is the one first-round matchup that Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers were dreading. Knocking off the defending San Antonio Spurs, who won 21 of their last 25 regular-season games, is a tall order. But the Clippers come into the series sizzling in their own right, having won 14 of their final 15 games.

As good as Chris Paul has been playing, it's hard to envision him overcoming the Spurs' championship experience of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker in a San Antonio system that is now powered by Kawhi Leonard's all-around motor. Tough break for the Clips.

Prediction: Spurs advance after six-game series.

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

Entering this series, there are reports about the questionable health statuses of Memphis Grizzlies guards Mike Conley and Tony Allen. If they're unable to go, the Grizz would be hard-pressed to overcome their absence and contend with Portland's All-Star point guard Damian Lillard.

Still, the Portland Trail Blazers are going to miss Wesley Matthews (torn ACL) and better hope Arron Afflalo could deliver some timely buckets the way Wes did. Watching Memphis' bigs Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol bang in the paint with Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge should decide a lot in this series.

Prediction: Memphis edges Portland in seven.

Eastern Conference First Round

(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (8) Brooklyn Nets

Let's not ignore the cold, hard facts of this series. The Atlanta Hawks basically put their feet up toward the stretch run of the regular season and finished it with a 60-win, top-seeded season. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets (owning just a 38-44 record) stumbled their way into the playoffs following their win combined with the Indiana Pacers' loss on the final day of the regular season.

To be blunt—the Nets don't stand a chance against Atlanta's team-oriented style. Just like their regular-season series, the Hawks will pull off a clean sweep.

Prediction: Hawks win a four-game sweep.

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Boston Celtics

Boston fans—don't get carried away by the Celtics' home-and-home series sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 10 and 12. Having already clinched the second seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cavs were resting their stars, so the Celtics' sweep was essentially meaningless. What's not meaningless is what this postseason means to the LeBron James in his first season back in Cleveland.

Bron powered the Cavs to a 34-11 record following his eight-game absence earlier this year. He's been ready for the playoffs. King James will make sure the Cavaliers rise to the occasion, beginning with the Celtics. Maybe Isaiah Thomas can power Boston to taking one game if its lucky, but we wouldn't bet on it.

Prediction: Cavaliers sweep C's.

(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks

Derrick Rose was able to rejoin the Chicago Bulls during the stretch run of the regular season just in time for the playoffs. But truth be told...the Bulls don't even need him to get past their first-round opponent Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bulls are just too big, nasty and talented to let Milwaukee make this even remotely close to being a series. Although it will be fun watching Bucks' high flying swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo try.

Prediction: The Buck stops here, Bulls win in four games.

(4) Toronto Raptors vs. (5) Washington Wizards

Entering this series, Paul Pierce doused gas into the fire, saying he didn't think the Toronto Raptors have that "it" factor. Now, he and the Washington Wizards will have to back that up, while the Raps look to shut them up. The point guard matchup between All-Stars John Wall and Kyle Lowry should set off fireworks in what will be the best first-round series in the East.

Prediction: Wizards win in seven.

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