The San Antonio Spurs could take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets, meanwhile, could all sweep their way into the second round.
NBA playoffs 2015 schedule: Clippers aim to even series with Spurs while Cavaliers, Wizards and Rockets eye sweeps
The San Antonio Spurs could take control of their series with a win over the Clippers on Sunday as three teams attempt to complete first-round sweeps.
The battle between the Clippers and the Spurs has lived up to its billing as the marquee matchup in the first round of the NBA Playoffs -- the Clippers sprinted by the the Spurs in Game 1, the Spurs eked out an overtime win in Game 2 and then dominated Game 3. Sunday's Game 4 is crucial. If the Clippers win, they'll regain their homecourt advantage and take momentum back to LA for Game 5 on Tuesday. A win for the Spurs, meanwhile, would put them one game away from the second round -- and it's very unlikely the defending NBA champs are dropping three in a row. If the Clippers put up an offensive dud like they did on Friday and Kawhi Leonard continues his high level of play, this series could get out of hand.
LeBron James and the Cavaliers are poised to sweep their way into the second round of the playoffs. They've held off the pesky Boston Celtics through the first three games -- much in thanks to James' offense being too overpowering for the less-talented Celtics. If they pull off the sweep, the Cavaliers will await the winner of the Chicago Bulls-Milwaukee Bucks series, which the Bulls lead, 3-1.
The Wizards stumbled into the playoffs looking like an easy first-round out -- now they look capable of making it to the Eastern Conference Finals. They have outmatched the Toronto Raptors on their way to a 3-0 series lead with a swarming defense and elevated play from John Wall and Paul Pierce. They're poised to sweep their way into the second round, where they'll likely face the Atlanta Hawks, who have struggled mightily on offense in their first-round series agains the Brooklyn Nets.
The undermanned Dallas Mavericks -- they're missing Chandler Parsons and Rajon Rondo -- have tried to stay with the Rockets, but James Harden's team is too good. Harden is hitting his shots and Dwight Howard has been a menace down low -- and the Mavericks have no answer. Pulling off the sweep is important for the Rockets, they'll have time to rest up while the Clippers and Spurs trade blows for a chance to travel to Houston for the second round.
Sunday’s schedule
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics: 1 p.m. ET, ABC, WatchESPN
Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC, WatchESPN
Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards: 6:30 p.m. ET, TNT, TNT Overtime
Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks: 9 p.m. ET, TNT, TNT Overtime
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