The West
San Antonio Spurs (1) vs. Memphis Grizzles (8)
Usually 1-8 series are not too exciting, but the Grizz could give the Spurs more problems than expected for two reasons. The Grizz have a tough front line, and that may be The Spurs’ only weakness. We will need to see the Tim Duncan of old to be able to match them. And with Manu Ginobili getting hurt in the season finale last night, that could be trouble. Early word is that it was not too serious, but Manu will miss at least the first game. The injury was on his non-shooting arm. While I could see The Grizz pushing this to 7 games…
Dez says: SA in 6
L.A. Lakers (2) vs. New Orleans Hornets (7)
L.A. got the best draw of the West. New Orleans wasn’t that strong anyway even at full strength, and they are missing their #2 guy, David West. Chris Paul can’t do it all by himself. The Lakers will get to coast through the first round and gear up for the tougher rounds.
Dez says: Lakers sweep.
Dallas Mavericks (3) vs. Portland Trailblazers (6)
The Mavs always have a great regular season, and then fold like a tent in the playoffs. I don’t see this season going any differently. Portland is tough and can give any playoff opponent a tough time. But I think the Mavs make it through to the second round, where they will be stomped by the Lakers. I will tell you this, the Lakers would rather see the Mavs win this over Portland.
Dez says: Dallas in 7.
Oklahoma City Thunder (4) vs. Denver Nuggets (5)
This should be a great series. The Thunder are the team in the West nobody wants to play. They will be very dangerous with Durant and Westbrook and the addition of Perkins in the middle. Scary. The Nuggets have been the feel good story of the season, with their renaissance and great team play once they got rid of the black hole known as Carmelo. ‘Melo and New York deserve each other. Should be an entertaining and hard fought series between two teams that are both hard to dislike.
Dez says: OKC in 6.
The East
Chicago Bulls (1) vs. Indiana Pacers (8)
If you had told the experts that the Bulls and Spurs would have the best records of the regular season, they would have laughed at you. But the Bulls are awesome, playing team basketball to a transcendent degree with almost guaranteed MVP Derek Rose leading the way.
Dez says: Bulls sweep.
Miami Heat (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)
I am an instant fan of whoever is playing the Heat. I do not want Jebron Lames to ever win a title. Ever. The arrogance makes me so angry. Philly has surprised many observers this season, and combine that with all the pressure being on the Heat and the fact that the Heat will inexplicably have at least one game where a high school team could beat them, this series could be fun.
Dez says: Heat in 6.
ABOVE: Dez does not want this jackass ever to win a title
Boston Celtics (3) vs. New York Knicks (6)
Boston’s decline in the past month is not promising for this one-time Eastern conference favorite. Trading away Kendrick Perkins really did some damage. The Knicks have some big names (Stoudamire, Melo, Billups), but they still don’t know how to play defense consistently. Don’t know if Boston can win the conference any more, but they should be able to win what will be a hard fought series.
Dez says: Boston in 6.
Orlando Magic (4) vs. Atlanta Hawks (5)
The Magic have been the forgotten powerhouse team of the East, and they have many problems to fix if they want to win the conference. But they should be able to handle the Hawks, who always choke in the playoffs.
Dez says: Magic in 6.
Well, it doesn’t look like I have any upsets predicted, but it still should be a fun first round in certain series. I think the Dallas/Portland match-up will be the one to watch. That is the most likely upset.
Thoughts?
2 comments:
I think those are sound picks. The second-round series should all be great, but the first looks favorite-heavy. You make a really good point about Memphis' front line. If Manu's never 100% in that series, it could get interesting.
I'm just looking forward to the playoffs, as always, after the endless regular season, which I haven't cared about for at least three months.
To me the most interesting story is the Celtics and what effect losing Kendrick Perkins will have. They finished the last month of the regular season badly last year and then went on to get one game away from the championship; it's possible the same thing will happen now. But I don't think so. And, I hope not. I feel like they should be punished for trading Perkins (who I've always liked and respected as a player). I think they will be.
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