NBA playoff predictions
Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 11:13 pm
Western Conference
San Antonio Spurs (1)/Utah Jazz (8)---Maybe the last run for the Duncan and company before the Spurs reload (they never rebuild). The Jazz are still in transition in the post-Deron Williams/Jerry Sloan era. Too much firepower for the Spurs here...Spurs in 5.
Memphis Grizzlies (4)/Los Angeles Clippers (5)---Last year's upset over the Spurs propelled the Grizzlies into a great year this year. The Clippers brought Chris Paul on board this year and hoped to have Chauncey Billups (injured, out). Zach Randolph acting as a calming influence will lead the Grizzlies to another series win but not before Blake Griffin makes it interesting...Grizzlies in 7.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2)/Dallas Mavericks (7)---Quick, who is the defending champions? Well, you have to look all the way down to the #7 spot in the west to find them. Are the Mavericks really a #7? Hardin has been cleared to play for the Thunder, which is a boost. Youth or experience, which will win out. Take the experience...Mavericks in 6.
Los Angeles Lakers (3)/Denver Nuggets (6)---Yes, they may be bickering and snipping at each other, yet Kobe and company are back in their usual spot, home court in the playoffs (for the first round anyway). The Nuggets seem to have lost everyone (somewhere on the way back from China) yet still made the playoffs. Somehow, that is. Who gets this series?...Lakers in 5.
Eastern Conference
Chicago Bulls (1)/Philadelphia 76ers (8)---The Bulls will have home court for as long as they are in the playoffs, edging the Spurs via tiebreaker. The 76ers are rebuilding, but gained the final spot in the last week of the regular season. For the Bulls, the stars have to shine and Rose has to be healthy. Maybe not for this series, but they will need him later...Bulls in 5.
Boston Celtics (4)/Atlanta Hawks (5)---A strange quirk in this series as the Hawks will have the home court even though they are a higher seed. The Hawks are younger but they do have experience. As for the Celtics, maybe the window has finally slammed shut. Not that they will go down easy... Hawks in 7.
Miami Heat (2)/New York Knicks (7)---This will be interesting as it is not so favorable for the home team. A team with the talent as the Knicks (Anthony, Staudamire) should not be this low, yet they match up well against the Big 3 of the Heat. The most intriguing series...Heat in 6.
Indiana Pacers (3)/Orlando Magic (6)---Yes that is correct, the Pacers are the higher seed and carry home court advantage. Dwight Howard's distractions and the uncertainty of the the coach pushed the Magic down. However, they still have a chance to right the ship. They can do it if they stay focused, but that has proven difficult all year...Pacers in 4.
Western Conference semis
San Antonio Spurs/Memphis Grizzlies---A rematch from last year's first round upset. The Grizzlies will not sneak up on the Spurs this time. However, last year they made the Spurs play rather old. Could they do that again?...Grizzlies in 6.
Los Angeles Lakers/Dallas Mavericks---Kobe and chaos (I mean company) meeting Dirk and Company in a rematch from last year, a series the Mavericks swept and used it as a springboard to the championship. The Lakers are in more of a disarray than last year. The Mavericks are focused...Mavericks in 5.
Eastern Conference semis
Chicago Bulls/Atlanta Hawks---Every year it seems the Hawks are so close, yet every year the Bulls have their number. Will this year be any different? Not while Rose is healthy and the Bulls have the firepower. The Hawks may keep it close...Bulls in 6.
Miami Heat/Indiana Pacers---The Big 3 and the Pacer upstarts. The Pacers play as a team while the Heat have the 3 players and a supporting cast. The Pacers are right there with the Heat, however, but do they know that. Or will James and Wade (oh and Bosh) finally get the Heat closer to the goal...Heat in 7.
Western Conference finals
Memphis Grizzlies/Dallas Mavericks---Interesting. Can the Grizzlies get by the Mavericks and move on? Will anyone care about this series with what is happening in the east (as usual)? Too bad because it will be good...Mavericks in 7.
Eastern Conference finals
Chicago Bulls/Miami Heat---The one everyone will be watching. James, Wade and Bosh against Rose and the rest. This will be good as well, but don't take the obvious...Bulls in 7.
NBA Finals
Chicago Bulls/Dallas Mavericks---Awhile back, a great coach once said, "Never underestimate the heart of a champion". Don't worry, the Bulls won't...Bulls in 5.
San Antonio Spurs (1)/Utah Jazz (8)---Maybe the last run for the Duncan and company before the Spurs reload (they never rebuild). The Jazz are still in transition in the post-Deron Williams/Jerry Sloan era. Too much firepower for the Spurs here...Spurs in 5.
Memphis Grizzlies (4)/Los Angeles Clippers (5)---Last year's upset over the Spurs propelled the Grizzlies into a great year this year. The Clippers brought Chris Paul on board this year and hoped to have Chauncey Billups (injured, out). Zach Randolph acting as a calming influence will lead the Grizzlies to another series win but not before Blake Griffin makes it interesting...Grizzlies in 7.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2)/Dallas Mavericks (7)---Quick, who is the defending champions? Well, you have to look all the way down to the #7 spot in the west to find them. Are the Mavericks really a #7? Hardin has been cleared to play for the Thunder, which is a boost. Youth or experience, which will win out. Take the experience...Mavericks in 6.
Los Angeles Lakers (3)/Denver Nuggets (6)---Yes, they may be bickering and snipping at each other, yet Kobe and company are back in their usual spot, home court in the playoffs (for the first round anyway). The Nuggets seem to have lost everyone (somewhere on the way back from China) yet still made the playoffs. Somehow, that is. Who gets this series?...Lakers in 5.
Eastern Conference
Chicago Bulls (1)/Philadelphia 76ers (8)---The Bulls will have home court for as long as they are in the playoffs, edging the Spurs via tiebreaker. The 76ers are rebuilding, but gained the final spot in the last week of the regular season. For the Bulls, the stars have to shine and Rose has to be healthy. Maybe not for this series, but they will need him later...Bulls in 5.
Boston Celtics (4)/Atlanta Hawks (5)---A strange quirk in this series as the Hawks will have the home court even though they are a higher seed. The Hawks are younger but they do have experience. As for the Celtics, maybe the window has finally slammed shut. Not that they will go down easy... Hawks in 7.
Miami Heat (2)/New York Knicks (7)---This will be interesting as it is not so favorable for the home team. A team with the talent as the Knicks (Anthony, Staudamire) should not be this low, yet they match up well against the Big 3 of the Heat. The most intriguing series...Heat in 6.
Indiana Pacers (3)/Orlando Magic (6)---Yes that is correct, the Pacers are the higher seed and carry home court advantage. Dwight Howard's distractions and the uncertainty of the the coach pushed the Magic down. However, they still have a chance to right the ship. They can do it if they stay focused, but that has proven difficult all year...Pacers in 4.
Western Conference semis
San Antonio Spurs/Memphis Grizzlies---A rematch from last year's first round upset. The Grizzlies will not sneak up on the Spurs this time. However, last year they made the Spurs play rather old. Could they do that again?...Grizzlies in 6.
Los Angeles Lakers/Dallas Mavericks---Kobe and chaos (I mean company) meeting Dirk and Company in a rematch from last year, a series the Mavericks swept and used it as a springboard to the championship. The Lakers are in more of a disarray than last year. The Mavericks are focused...Mavericks in 5.
Eastern Conference semis
Chicago Bulls/Atlanta Hawks---Every year it seems the Hawks are so close, yet every year the Bulls have their number. Will this year be any different? Not while Rose is healthy and the Bulls have the firepower. The Hawks may keep it close...Bulls in 6.
Miami Heat/Indiana Pacers---The Big 3 and the Pacer upstarts. The Pacers play as a team while the Heat have the 3 players and a supporting cast. The Pacers are right there with the Heat, however, but do they know that. Or will James and Wade (oh and Bosh) finally get the Heat closer to the goal...Heat in 7.
Western Conference finals
Memphis Grizzlies/Dallas Mavericks---Interesting. Can the Grizzlies get by the Mavericks and move on? Will anyone care about this series with what is happening in the east (as usual)? Too bad because it will be good...Mavericks in 7.
Eastern Conference finals
Chicago Bulls/Miami Heat---The one everyone will be watching. James, Wade and Bosh against Rose and the rest. This will be good as well, but don't take the obvious...Bulls in 7.
NBA Finals
Chicago Bulls/Dallas Mavericks---Awhile back, a great coach once said, "Never underestimate the heart of a champion". Don't worry, the Bulls won't...Bulls in 5.
