Preview capsules and predictions for the first-round series in the NBA playoffs.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Hawks vs. Nets

Hawks won season series 4-0.

The Nets barely snuck into the playoffs by virtue of Indiana losing at Memphis and they should be ushered right back out quickly. . . . Atlanta beat Brooklyn twice in the final weeks and the Hawks are well rested and ready to prove they are prepared for a long playoff run.  . . . The key to Atlanta’s playoff success is point guard Jeff Teague, who needs to play at an elite level while Kyle Korver has to hit his 3-pointers. . . . The Hawks don’t have any real superstars, which makes them more lethal because they are a difficult team to prepare for . . . The Nets sagged to the finish but need Brook Lopez to dominate the middle and Deron Williams to return to vintage form. The latter likely won’t happen.

Prediction: Hawks in 5.

Cavaliers vs. Celtics

Series tied at 2-2.

Well the Celtics are back in the playoffs but against the team favored to win the NBA title. The Celtics is are a difficult team for which to prepare because they have so many players capable of a breakout game. Boston will need several to flourish to even have a chance against the best player on the planet in LeBron James and his cohorts in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love . . . The Cavaliers have been nearly unstoppable with a legitimate center in Timofey Mozgov in the paint . . . An interesting player in this series could be J.R. Smith, who will certainly receive his share of open 3-point shots as the Celtics look to shut down the other weapons . . . Isaiah Thomas will have to produce off the Boston bench, and also become more of a defensive factor when bigger players attack him . . . It will take a monumental effort for the Celtics to force this series past five games, but if the Cavaliers aren’t focused or slip, it could be at least competitive.

Prediction: Cavaliers in 5

Bulls vs. Bucks

Bulls won season series 3-1.

This will be a grueling series between two grinding teams that relish defense and inside play . . . The Bucks are no pushover despite their youth. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a breakout second season and his defense will cause problems for Chicago . . . Hamilton native Michael Carter-Williams averaged 14.1 points in his 25 games since coming over to the Bucks from the 76ers . . . The Bulls, as always, are hobbling. Derrick Rose said he experienced knee soreness after coming back from another surgery, so his impact on the series is unknown . . . Pau Gasol averaged 24.3 points and 13.3 rebounds in four meetings vs. the Bucks this season, including a 46-point game . . . Experience will win this series for Chicago but Milwaukee will take a chunk out of the Bulls that could have lasting effects.

Prediction: Bulls in 6.

Raptors vs. Wizards

Raptors won season series 3-0.

It’s time for Toronto to get to the next level, and the Raptors are getting healthy and remember quite vividly their Game 7 home loss to the Nets last season, missing a chance to get to the semifinals . . . Toronto’s Kyle Lowry was an All-Star this season but missed considerable time with a back injury in the final month. He was able to play in the final few games and will have an arduous task in defending John Wall . . . DeMar DeRozan is the key to this series and his ability to score on whomever Washington assigns to defend him. The Wizards were awful over the second half of the season, and is a team with major chemistry issues . . . Washington will have to play at a level not seen in the nation’s capital since December to win this series, and it doesn’t seem likely.

Prediction: Toronto in 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Warriors vs. Pelicans

AP

Stephen Curry averaged 23.8 points this season.

Warriors won season series, 3-1.

The Warriors led the NBA in scoring, assists, field goal percentage, and 3-point field goal percentage as well as defensive rating. In other words, Steve Kerr has built a juggernaut in his first season . . . The Pelicans will create a matchup problem for the Warriors with gifted forward Anthony Davis, who can cause havoc in the paint. New Orleans is also completely healthy with Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson back from nagging injuries. The Pelicans will play hard in this series and they need Tyreke Evans to flourish offensively . . . The Warriors have the most productive backcourt in the NBA with MVP candidate Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but the key to this series could be how Andrew Bogut keeps Davis, Omer Asik, and Dante Cunningham off the boards. It should be a minor challenge for Golden State, but likely nothing more than a tuneup for a potential second-round matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies . . . Keep an eye on Golden State forward Draymond Green, a defensive player of the year candidate. He can guard three positions.

Prediction: Warriors in 5.

Rockets vs. Mavericks

Rockets won the season series, 3-1.

This is one of the league’s more overlooked rivalries with Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban taking verbal shots at each other over the past few years. That dialogue increased when Dallas signed Chandler Parsons away from the Rockets. . . . Rajon Rondo has not made the impact expected when the Mavericks acquired the point guard from the Celtics. He has averaged 9.3 points, 6.5 assists (career low), and 4.5 rebounds in 46 games. Rondo averaged 10.8 assists in 22 games with Celtics. Dallas was also just 26-20 in Rondo’s 46 appearances . . . James Harden has been brilliant this season and he will need to continute to be in this series for the Rockets to advance. Dwight Howard is now healthy and could be an interesting matchup for Tyson Chandler in the paint. If Howard is anywhere near vintage form, the Rockets can do much more than advance past the first round. The Mavericks don’t have enough in this series.

Prediction: Rockets in 6.

Getty Images

James Harden averaged 27.4 points per game this season.

Clippers vs. Spurs

Season series tied at 2-2.

The most interesting of the playoff series because of the ramifications. The Clippers don’t want to lose in the first round in Doc Rivers’s second season and such an exit could necessitate major changes. For the Spurs, could a loss mean the end of the Big Three Era? . . . This will be an intense series with San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich calling for intentional fouls on DeAndre Jordan, Kawhi Leonard attempting to shut down Blake Griffin, and Tony Parker is trying to prove he is better than Chris Paul . . . The Spurs were the league’s hottest team until dropping the season finale at New Orleans, which cost them home-court advantage in the playoffs. . . . The Clippers are also playing well, but the question is whether the lack of an offensively sound small forward and a weak bench will cost Los Angeles this series. Also, the Clippers are going to have to win at least one game at San Antonio, given the Spurs are likely to win at Staples Center. . . . San Antonio is too dangerous right now and too difficult a matchup for Doc’s guys.

Prediction: Spurs in 6.

Trail Blazers vs. Grizzlies

Grizzlies won season series 4-0.

Is anybody picking the Trail Blazers? Portland is a banged up club with Wesley Matthews out for the playoffs while LaMarcus Aldridge and Arron Afflalo are nursing various injuries . . . But the Grizzlies aren’t whole, either. Mike Conley (right foot sprain) and Tony Allen (right hamstring) could miss Game 1 and Marc Gasol has an ankle injury . . . The Trail Blazers rely on the 3-pointer and rebounding, two weaknesses for the Grizzlies . . . Damian Lillard always plays with a chip on his shoulder and he’ll definitely be motivated to lead the Blazers back to the second round . . . The Grizzlies have home-court advantage and may have just enough to edge the Blazers. Gasol, if he’s healthy, and Zach Randolph have enough to offset the Portland bigs. But injuries will play a major role in this series.. . . And Memphis, which won all four regular-season meetings, has the advantage.

Prediction: Grizzlies in 6.

Gary Washburn can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @GwashburnGlobe.