The first round of the NBA Playoffs is set to kick off the weekend, and there are plenty of subplots in each series that will make every game exciting. However, some these three storylines have turned certain series' into must-see TV:
3) Playoff initiations for several stars
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Kyrie Irving and former All-Star Kevin Love will get their first taste of the playoffs this year, as will New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis. All three are known as great players, but playoff success can elevate their status among the best players in the league. Seeing how they respond to being on the big stage will be very intriguing and exciting to watch.
2) Can the Clippers grow up against the Spurs?
The Los Angeles Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs were the two hottest teams in the NBA at the end of the season. The Clippers won 14 of their final 15 games while the Spurs won 14 of 16, and while both were in contention for the No. 2 seed on the last day of the regular season, they're now facing each other in the No. 3 vs. No. 6 matchup. This series should be a conference final instead of a first round series, but it will still be fascinating to watch knowing one team won't advance past the opening round.
1) Derrick Rose's health and aggressiveness
The Chicago Bulls grabbed the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference despite having Derrick Rose healthy for just 51 games this year. After a slow start to the season, Rose finally started to show the aggressiveness that made him the 2011 MVP prior to the All-Star break, but another knee injury sidelined him again until a few weeks ago. Rose sat out of the second half of the season finale with knee soreness, taking the precaution to make sure he's healthy in the playoffs. Chicago is a good team capable of winning the first round without Rose at 100 percent, but they need him to be fully healthy to make any real noise.
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