NBA Playoffs Set

So, the NBA Playoff mathups are set. I'll be listing the matchups and stating my predictions with reasons. I'm more a follower of NBA ball over NCAA, so I'll be more in depth in these blogs.

East


(1) Chicago Bulls vs (8) Indiana Pacers

I really cant see the Pacers even putting up much of a fight. It's not that I think the Bulls are phenomenal, but I think the Pacers really just aren't good. Danny Granger is really the only one on that team worth noting, and he won't be able to carry the team against Derrick Rose and company. Roy Hibbert and Tyler Hansbrough will get crushed by Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, and Tim Thomas. Expect Indiana's big men to struggle mightily this series. I expect Mike Dunleavy to put up a decent performance during the series for the Pacers, though.

Bulls in 4.

(2) Miami Heat vs (7) Philadelphia 76ers

Well, the talk of the NBA world will finally get to start their quest to the holy grail against the 76ers, who have been struggling as of late. There is simply going to be too much talent on this Heat team for Philly to handle. AI will do all he can for his squad, but there isn't anyone else really who can do what is needed to make this series a series.

Heat in 5.


(3) Boston Celtics vs (6) NY Knicks

Boston vs New York. The two biggest sports cities in America colliding once again (Side Note: LA doesn't even have a football team, so despite their numerous baseball, basketball, and hockey teams they can't be taken seriously as a major sports city in my opinion). New York is hungry and will be trying to take down the defending Eastern Conference Champions. Well, I don't see it happening. They'll be able to make Carmelo struggle shooting the ball. Amare won't be able to lift the team by his lonesome. Carmelo will have some decent games, but not enough to topple the Celtics.

Celtics in 6.

(4) Orlando Magic vs (5) Atlanta Hawks

I straight up think Hawks are overrated. Dwight Howard's crew will be too difficult to stop for Atlanta in this series. Joe Johnson will really need to step up if he wants to give his team a fighting chance, but Orlando plays really tough D and they'll do enough to shut down the rest of the team.

Magic in 5.



West


(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (8) Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are a young team looking to upset the old Spurs who far exceeded expectations this year. The Spurs simply have too much experience to let the Griz get the better of them. Memphis will come to play, though, but not at the level the Spurs will be at.

Spurs in 6.

(2) LA Lakers vs (7) New Orleans Hornets

LA avoided a major choke and grabbed the 2-seed with an OT win against the Kings to end the regular season. Their reward is a date with the Hornets. NO hasn't been the terrifying force they have been in the past with Chris Paul at helm and Omeka Okafor hasn't really been as good for this team as it looked on paper. No David West means no W for NO. Kobe and Co will handle this squad.

Lakers in 5.

(3) Dallas Mavericks vs (6) Portland Trail Blazers

This is, in my opinion, the 2nd most interesting matchup in these playoffs. The Blazers are a young and extremely talented team with Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge headlining the team. They're fast and they can shoot the ball. Dallas, regarded as the best jump-shooting team in the league bar-none, will get all they can handle from these guys. The games will be tough, but I expect Dirk to have himself a nice series, as he has been playing phenomenally all season long. I'm a big fan of this Mavs team and see them doing big things. All the analysts are saying they wont make it out of the first round. They'll prove those "experts" wrong.

Mavs in 5.

(4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (5) Denver Nuggets

What a story these Nuggets have been. They lose they're best player, Carmelo Anthony, and they're experience leader and veteran, Chauncey Billups, and they seem to get better... a lot better. They lead the league in points scored and have perhaps the best all around team in these playoffs. They have no big names on the team but they work well together. Ty Lawson was seen limping off the court tonight, but assuming he's healthy, I still don't think they'll be victorious. Last year I predicted the Thunder to upset the Lakers in the first round last year, the Thunder being an 8-seed. Now, after another season to gain experience and mesh with the emergence if Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, I think the Thunder crush this feel-good Nuggets squad.

Thunder in 5.




Now, I'll give you my overall predictions rather than a round by round, which will come obviously after each round.

East


Round 1
Bulls 4-0 Pacers
Heat 4-1 76ers
Celtics 4-2 Knicks
Magic 4-1 Hawks

Round 2
Bulls 4-3 Magic
Heat 4-2 Celtics

Conference Finals
Heat 4-2 Bulls

West


Round 1
Spurs 4-2 Grizzlies
Lakers 4-1 Hornets
Mavs 4-1 Blazers
Thunder 4-1 Nuggets

Round 2
Thunder 4-2 Spurs
Mavs 4-2 Lakers

Conference Finals
Mavs 4-3 Thunder



NBA Finals
Mavs 4-3 Heat

*Predictions subject to change after witnessing teams play playoff basketball, but most likely wont.