With the NBA playoffs upon us, it's time to look at the match-ups and offer up a few predictions.
If we know anything about the NBA playoffs, it’s that you can throw most of the regular season stuff out the window now because it's a whole new season. Seeing the same team for the duration of a series over the course of two weeks is very different. Teams lock in on your offence and you better be ready to go to options three, four or five and have players simply make plays if you expect to win.
Eastern Conference
(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (8) Indiana Pacers
Chicago is far and away the better team and this should be a short series. The good thing for the Pacers is their young players will get a taste of what it’s like at playoff time. The Pacers might -- I say might -- get one game on home court but expect the Bulls in a sweep. Chicago wins in five games, possibly a four-game sweep.
(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
One of the two teams that top seeds probably did not want to play in the opening round was a healthy Philadelphia squad. Problem right now is, the Sixers are banged up and won't be able to push the Heat. Andre Iguodala's knee issues may make it tough for him to guard one of the two Miami perimeter stars (either Dwayne Wade or LeBron James) and the productive Sixers bench may not be at full strength depending on Lou Williams’ hamstring injury. Miami in five or six games.
(3) Boston Celtics vs. (6) New York Knicks
The Celtics are in a funk at the worst possible time. While many want to attribute the current struggles to the trading of Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma City, it is the loss of another player in that deal that seems to be troubling Boston even more. Nate Robinson's absence has hurt Boston's bench as they seem to be missing that spark. Combine that with the substandard play in the middle because of injuries to Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal and you have Boston's current state. They will, however, get well against the Knicks. Boston in six games.
(4) Orlando Magic vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks
I know, folks: Atlanta won the season series 3-1. So what! Atlanta is one of those teams that is built for the regular season and is stumbling into the playoffs having lost six in a row. If Orlando is focused, this could be a surprisingly short series. Dwight Howard will have to play well offensively as he will no doubt be in a one-on-one match-up as the Hawks try to limit the Magic's three-point efficiency. If Howard stays out of foul trouble and remains on the floor, it will be tough for the Hawks to win the series. Orlando in six games.
Western Conference
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies
This will more than likely be a much tougher series than people anticipate as a top versus bottom pairing. San Antonio and Memphis split the season series while Zach Randolph averaged 23 points and 15 rebounds in the four games against the top-seeded Spurs. Manu Ginobili's health is also an issue heading into the series. The Grizzlies will snap their streak of having never won a playoff game as they enter with a 0-12 record, but they're not going to beat the Spurs four times. San Antonio in six games.
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) New Orleans Hornets
Los Angeles swept the season series from the Hornets and the playoff series will be no different. The Lakers have shown inconsistencies but with the injury to David West, New Orleans has lost a major weapon and the screen roll game with Chris Paul has been decimated. The Lakers have the best first-round match-up of any team in the Western Conference and it might lead to a bit of rest if it's a quick series. Los Angeles in five games, possibly a four-game sweep.
(3) Dallas Mavericks vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers
This is going to be a terrific series. Many are predicting an upset here and there are many good reasons for giving the Trail Blazers the edge. The season series was split at two games apiece. Portland has size and athleticism with the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge and Gerald Wallace, not to mention the experience factor with Andre Miller and Marcus Camby. Brandon Roy coming off the bench for Portland gives them an equal for Dallas' Jason Terry. If there is a seventh game, Dallas has the edge but I'll take the bait: Portland in six games.
(4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (5) Denver Nuggets
This is going to be another terrific series because of the sheer athleticism involved. The Nuggets have fared well since the makeover in the Carmelo Anthony trade. Denver is well built for the regular season but this is playoff time. The Thunder gained valuable experience last year and have a veteran presence and defensive anchor in Kendrick Perkins. The Nuggets are not without their own experience thanks to Nene, J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin. It will be a long series that can go either way. Oklahoma City in seven games.
For the record, my prediction at the beginning of the season was a rematch of last season's seven-game slugfest between Boston and Los Angeles. Currently the Lakers have a better chance to make it back than the Celtics do, and even though it feels like a Los Angeles vs. Chicago or Miami series, I'll stay with the Celtics to meet the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
