NBA Playoffs 2015: Schedule and Predictions as Conference Finals Continue

Although the buildup was thrilling, the NBA Conference Finals so far are as routine as it gets.

Just don't expect the games to stay that way.

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers didn't have any issues traveling south and taking care of business against the Atlanta Hawks in the first two games of the series, but a desperate team is a dangerous one.

Ditto out West, where Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors are twirling the brooms after three wins against the Houston Rockets, although the finishing blow might not be as easy as it seems.

Below, let's take a look at how to catch both series and iron out which teams will advance.

NBA Playoffs Schedule 

Conference Finals Predictions

Cavaliers-Hawks

Even without having to deal with Kyrie Irving, the Hawks just don't have an answer for James on either end of the court.

Look at Game 2, when James went off for 30 points in the 94-82 road triumph, adding nine rebounds and 11 assists for good measure. Tristan Thompson highlighted the hodgepodge of names around the King, posting another workmanlike 16 rebounds and seven points.

For the Hawks, it's not hard to see where improvement is necessary.

"In the playoffs, it takes more," Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer said, per the Associated Press (via ESPN). "It takes better execution, better screening. You've got to do things harder."

NBA.com's John Schuhmann touches on another major issue plaguing the 60-win team:

In other words, it's time the Hawks got back to the basics while shaking off the postseason uneasiness.

Game 2 remains a good barometer. Paul Millsap won't score just four points every night out, nor will Jeff Teague continue to shoot 5-of-16 from the floor or Kyle Korver 4-of-11.

While hobbled and struggling, the Hawks won't drop the next two games. Game 4 on Tuesday seems like the place for them to dig their feet in and register a stand to get things back to Atlanta, where an angry James will end things so his teammates can rest.

Atlanta looks miserable right now, but making the right adjustments and just getting back to their game will produce at least one win.

Prediction: Cavs in five.

Rockets-Warriors 

A team like the Rockets won't just go away, especially not at home. 

It seems like they might, but James Harden won't allow it after two close games to start the series before Curry went off for 40 points in Game 3 in a rout.

"We had plenty of opportunities to win both of the games," Harden said, per Yahoo Sports' Dan Devine. "So we have all the confidence in the world."

Granted, those comments came before the 115-80 Game 3 result.

It's still hard to count the Rockets out, not only because the next game comes at home, but also because like the Hawks, they just need to fix the little things—like not letting Curry get open looks, which the Rockets inexplicably continue to allow, as ESPN's Tom Haberstroh captures:

Baffling, right?

Something has to change. Presuming the team isn't content to just lie down, the Rockets tout the talent to better contain elite shooters, especially if they can slow the game down and run the offense through the paint.

It seems outlandish after Game 3, but look for the Rockets to come out and steal a win at home to keep this thing going. Every shooting team can hit a slump, and most teams with their backs against the wall put up a strong fight so they don't fall victim to the brooms.

Prediction: Warriors in five.

All stats and info via ESPN.com, unless otherwise specified.