Eastern Conference: Chicago vs. Indiana - The Bulls finished strong with the best record in the NBA and showed no signs of letting up. The Bulls beat the Pacers 3 of 4 this year by and average of about 15 points with Indiana taking the last game by 7. On paper, the Bulls & Pacers match up well but can Derrick Rose be stopped? The rest of the team seems healthy and ready to go as well so I don't see the Pacers putting up much of a fight. Bulls in 5.
Miami vs. Philadelphia - This match up on paper or anywhere else for that matter doesn't seem like much of a challenge for Miami. The 76ers lost all three games they played to the Heat by only 10 points per game and did put up a fight during each one of those games. Even so, Miami has something to prove and should not let this go more than 5 games...or will it? Miami has tended to get lazy at times and if this is one of those times they will be the laughing stock of the NBA. I don't see that happening though. Heat in a sweep.
Orlando vs. Atlanta - This is an intriguing match up. The Hawks beat the Magic 3 of 4 during the season but all were close games. Expect the same from these two teams for at least 6 more games. Dwight Howard will be ready and the rest of the team better be also. This will be a very gritty, grind it out series. Magic in 6.
New York vs Boston - This could be the upset special. The Celtics swept the Knicks this year but none were blow outs by any means. The Knicks are healthy and the Celtics are not. Shaq may or may not play which will be a factor but a bigger factor is Rondo. If he doesn't play well, it could spell doom for the Celtics. This series could also mean D'Antoni's job. If the Knicks don't put up a fight and go at least 6...he's gone. This will be the best series of all in the East. Knicks in 7.
Western Conference: San Antonio vs. Memphis - One of the big three Manu Ganobli for the Spurs is hurt and could miss the first game which is bad but not all damaging. They split the series 2-2 with Memphis taking the last 2 games. This could be a confidence booster for them so the Spurs need to be at their best from start to finish. Spurs in 6.
Los Angeles vs. New Orleans - The Lakers limped in to the All Star break and came back to go 17-1 before the recent slide and got re-established. They are limping into the playoffs which maybe means they sweep through? Maybe this series. Even though the Hornets have some great players they got swept during the season and will have the same fate in the playoffs as well. Lakers in a sweep.
Dallas vs. Portland - This series will go 7 games. And it could go either way with neither one winning will be a surprise. With the addition of Gerald Wallace and Mr. Rebound Marcus Camby the Blazers could make a serious run. Dallas has a bad reputation of not being a great or even good playoff team. Blazers in 7.
Oklahoma City vs Denver - This is the one everyone's talking about because of how much better the Nuggets got after the 'Melo Drama was over. They played so much better as a team and were on fire down the stretch. The Thunder led by Kevin Durant were good all year and are expected to be the next great thing to sliced bread. They haven't won a playoff series yet and I think the streak continues. Nuggets in 6.
Everyone enjoy the playoffs and I'll be back next week...
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