Playoffs are tomorrow! Here are my take on the first-round match-ups. I have a tendency to want to be detailed and analyze every aspect of each series, but I'll try to keep things brief here.
Eastern Conference
(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers
There was a time when these two teams were both fighting for the top spot in the east. That was a very long time ago. Since Philadelphia's first match-up with Miami, they've gone 19-25, which would only account for a .432 winning percentage. Though they've played well as a team and have a good coach in Doug Collins and two pretty good players in Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams, they're about ready to get run over by the Bulls.
Prediction: Chicago in 4
(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks
Though Boston is the upper seed here, Atlanta will get home-court advantage due to winning one more game. Overall, I still think Boston is the better team here. They got off to a pretty slow start, but ever since a 5-game losing streak at the end of February, they've been 22-10 (.688). Whether or not Al Horford can play could be a tipping point in the series, but I think the match-up to watch will be Kevin Garnett vs. Josh Smith. Both teams lack superstars and in my opinion, those two have been each team's two best players. If Garnett can find his old self, this series is Boston's for the taking.
Prediction: Boston in 6
(3) Indiana Pacers vs. (6) Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are 4-8 without Dwight Howard this season. They don't really have any other really good players aside from Ryan Anderson, but even then, I don't think Anderson can carry the team on his back. I'm thinking that people should be getting out the broom sticks.
Prediction: Indiana in 6
(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) New York Knicks
I think this is probably the most exciting first-round playoff series out east. We've got a star-studded line-up, and I feel this series could result in a surprising upset for New York, or a clean sweep by Miami. On the one hand, New York is 18-6 (.750) ever since Mike Woodson took over, and Carmelo Anthony has seemed to found himself. They've got the DPOY favorite in Tyson Chandler who stopped Miami in the Finals last year, and Amare Stoudemire is still capable of busting loose. On the other hand, maybe it's time for New York to float back to Earth and I'm still a little fearful of how Anthony and Stoudemire will co-exist on the offensive end, especially against a great Miami defense.
Prediction: Miami in 5
Western Conference
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Utah Jazz
In the Utah Jazz, San Antonio is getting a match-up against a young eighth seed with a dominant post player, similar to their match-up against Memphis last year. However, that's about where the comparisons stop. Unlike last year, San Antonio ended the season on a roll, winning their last 10 in a row. Both teams have very strong frontcourts, and I especially like the Tim Duncan-Al Jefferson match-up, but in the backcourt, the Spurs hold a big advantage. I feel like Utah has overachieved a bit this season, and considering San Antonio beat them three times this season (the only loss was when Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Duncan all sat), this match-up should be a cinch.
Prediction: San Antonio in 5
(4) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers
This could possibly be my favorite match-up of the first round, as I believe both teams are capable of winning. Memphis has been one of the hottest teams coming down the stretch, winning their last six in a row and eight of their last ten. They were solid all season without Zach Randolph, and if he can return back to All-Star form, Memphis could be a dark horse to make a deep run. However, the playoffs are the time for stars to shine, and the two best players in this series both belong to Los Angeles. Chris Paul has reaffirmed his place as the best point guard this season, and I think he'll lead the Clippers to victory in a really close series.
Prediction: LA Clippers in 7
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Denver Nuggets
I have to admit, that Denver has very much impressed me. At the beginning of the season, I didn't expect them to even have a winning record, and as the season was winding down, I kept expecting Phoenix to take their spot in the playoffs. Yet, they make it in, with a No. 6 seed nevertheless. Denver ended the season playing great basketball, and have a lot of weapons at their disposal. Unfortunately, they have the same problem they did last season, which was who was going to step up in crunch time? That's why, despite their hot finish last season, they still lost to OKC in 5, and why this time, despite their hot finish, they'll lose to the Lakers. Los Angeles has just too much talent for Denver too handle, though I think the series will be much closer than people think, because all four regular season match-ups between the two teams were decided by single digits.
Prediction: LA Lakers in 6
(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks
A lot of people think Oklahoma City will be the Western Conference champions, and there's a saying that goes to be the champion, you've got to beat the champion. OKC is going to get that opportunity in the very first round in what should be a fun rematch of last year's Western Conference Finals. While Dallas is definitely worse than they were last year, I think they're still a pretty strong team. After a slow start, Dirk Nowitzki is back to his old form, and Dallas has several solid (though not great) veterans in Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, and Vince Carter. If Nowitzki can heat up again, there's no reason to think Dallas can't pull off the upset, but the problem is, I don't expect Nowitzki to play like he did last year. Oklahoma City is just way too good and way too fast, and Dallas is going to go back to losing in the first round like they did in pre-championship days.
Prediction: Oklahoma City in 5
I usually like to predict the later rounds as well, but I'm not going to analyze them since if I get them wrong, then they become pointless.
Second Round
Chicago def. Boston in 7
Miami def. Indiana in 5
San Antonio def. LA Clippers in 5
Oklahoma City def. LA Lakers in 6
Conference Finals
Chicago def. Miami in 7
San Antonio def. Oklahoma City in 7
NBA Finals
Chicago def. San Antonio in 6
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