The NBA playoffs start tomorrow and it will be nice to focus on actual sporting events instead of the NFL draft. I have a feeling that there will be much more parody in the playoffs this year than there was last year. Teams like the Knicks and Bulls are playing together and uninjured for the first time in quite a while. The Heat have been faltering down the stretch, which is concerning. Here are my first round predictions. Let me know what you guys think.
Eastern Conference
1. Chicago Bulls vs 8. Philadelphia 76ers
Evan Turner said that he was happy that the Sixers made the playoffs as an 8 seed because he thought his team would have a better chance of beating the Bulls. Well that may be true, the Sixers have no chance of beating the Bulls unless Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah all happen to get injured. The Sixers will play hard but they lack the talent. Prediction: Bulls in 4
4. Boston Celtics vs 5. Atlanta Hawks
I really feel bad for the Atlanta Hawks fan. The Hawks are a solid team but they will never contend for a championship with the way they are currently constructed. Joe Johnson and Al Horford are not the kind of players that win championship, they are the kind of players that help superstars win championships. The Celtics may be old but they have enough savvy and star power to win the series. Prediction: Celtics in 6
3. Indiana Pacers vs 6. Orlando Magic
The Magic are totally hosed without Dwight Howard, who is out of the season with a back injury. Howard does not have the heart and focus needed to carry a team to a championship and he is way too distracted by stardom. The Pacers are a really dangerous team. Roy Hibbert, Paul George, David West, Darren Collison, and Danny Granger are great core group of players. If George or Collison can step up their game and become a star in the next couple of years, they could contend for a championship. Prediction: Pacers in 4
2. Miami Heat vs 7. New York Knicks
I love the way the Knicks have been playing since Carmelo Anthony came back from injury. Now that Amar'e Stoudemire is back from injury, the Knicks are primed and ready to take down the Miami Heat. I don't know what it is with the Heat this season, but they seem to come out flat every game. I am sure that Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Lebron James will step up their games now that every game matters. I have a feeling that the Knicks will give the Heat as much as they can possibly handle and still survive. Prediction: Heat in 7
Western Conference
1. San Antonio Spurs vs 8. Utah Jazz
4. Memphis Grizzlies vs 5. Los Angeles Clippers
I love what the Clippers did in the offseason by bringing in Chris Paul to pair with Blake Griffin. However, the Grizzlies are one of the toughest and talented young teams who seem to fly under the radar because they play in a small market and don't have a scoring champion (Kevin Durant). Last year, the Grizzlies knocked the Spurs out of the playoffs without their best player, Rudy Gay, who will be ready to go this time around. I think that Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph will be able to ware down Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in a tough series. Prediction: Grizzlies in 7
3. Los Angeles Lakers vs 6. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets don't have a chance in hell of winning this series. They are a tough team with great hustle players like Wilson Chanlder and Danilo Gallinari, but they don't have anyone that can truly match up with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum on a consistent basis. The Lakers are going to roll over the Nuggets. Prediction: Lakers in 4
2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs 7. Dallas Mavericks
The Oklahoma City Thunder are my pick to win the West. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are a better 1-2 punch than any other duo in the league. James Harden is a phenomenal 6th man who could start on any other team. Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins, and Nick Collison are great defenders that can ware down any other team's frontcourt. I know that the Dallas Mavericks are the defending champions, but they are the 7th seed for a reason. I think that Mavericks will give the Thunder a tough time, but in the end the Thunder will prevail. Prediction: Thunder in 6
My NBA Finals Prediction is the Thunder over the Heat in 6 games.
Who do you think will win it all. Let me know.
I've got San Antonio beating the Heat in 7!
ReplyDeleteAlso, my first round of my playoff bracket was exactly the same as yours with the exception of the Grizzlies. I'm taking LA in that one!
ReplyDeleteI think the Grizzlies/Clips series is going to be the most fun to watch. 2 great young teams on the rise. I think that both teams will be giving the Thunder problems for the next couple of years
ReplyDeleteIf Lebron is scared to take a shot in the last 3 minutes of a game and willing to let ice cold Chalmers have the ball in his hands for the final last seconds shot, then Miami fans will find themselves disappointed when they are knocked out next round by the Celtics. Another "Bust" season for the Heat. However, this year's Championship is going to the team that comes out of the western conference. I believe that the Spurs have the ball movement to make them a competitive team, but their age will eventually catch up to them once theses series go deep and start having back to back games. I want to say the young Thunder will get it done.
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