NBA Blog

The NBA playoffs started today, so, despite being a little bit late with the post, I present my playoff predictions.  We’ll start with the other conference first.

Eastern Conference:
     Round 1
1.  Detroit Pistons
8.  Milwaukee Bucks
         This one could get ugly in a hurry.  I think the Bucks will be able to take one away from Detroit, who at this point could fall asleep during one game just to make one of them interesting.  Other than that, Detroit will move on easily.

2.  Miami Heat
7.  Chicago Bulls
          Watch out for Shaq.  He’s been coasting all season, and without any semblance of a big man to stop him, he’ll receive plenty of lob passes from D-Wade, when Wade isn’t breaking down Chicago’s tough defense.  Wade will follow LeBron’s performances and also put up outrageous numbers.  Chicago will give Miami some fits, because of their tough defense, but I honestly can’t see Chicago winning more than one game in this series.  Ben Gordon will close out a fourth quarter at home and Da Bulls will win one before the Heat move on to the next round.

3.  New Jersey Nets
6.  Indiana Pacers
          I have no idea.  I’d sick Danny Granger on Vince Carter to have him beat on Vinsanity and watch Vince crumble and disappear from games.  However, Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson will still be able to get out and run to run away with this series.  Kristic and Collins will bang on Jermaine O’Neal, and the Nets will win this one.  Also, watch Peja disappear from yet another playoff series, and watch out for two J.Kidd triple-doubles in this series.  Jamal Tinsley and Anthony Johnson can’t hold his jock.  Nets in five.

4.  Cleveland Cavaliers
5.  Washington Wizards
         LeBron will win his first ever playoff series.  It will be tough, because I don’t think Cleveland will travel well.  However, the hometown hero will continue to post big games with the Cleveland fan support.  Cleveland in 7.

     Round 2
1.  Detroit Pistons
4.  Cleveland Cavaliers
        LeBron is already ahead of the G.O.A.T.’s pace at this point in his career, so bowing out to the much, much better Pistons won’t be a disappointment.  Detroit will have too much for Cleveland to handle, but it will be a learning experience for LeBron and first-year head coach Mike Brown.  Detroit in six, because LeBron is good enough to figure out a way to win two games.

2.  Miami Heat
3.  New Jersey Nets
       This is the series where Shaq gets pissed off because some journalists said he was on the downward side of his career.  People have even picked New Jersey, claiming that Kristic and Collins would provide enough to limit Shaq.  History tells us two things here, centers age rapidly at the end of their career, and angry playoff Shaq dominates everybody.  I’ll go with the latter, especially with D-Wade and uber-successful playoff coach Pat Riley.  Heat in six.

     Eastern Conference Finals
1.  Detroit Pistons
2.  Miami Heat
          Last year this one went seven games, and the Heat would have won if D-Wade had not hurt his back.  If ‘Zo can get healthy, I like the Heat in this one.  It will take seven games, but I honestly don’t see Detroit being able to stay healthy throughout the playoffs for a third straight year. 

Western Conference
     Round 1
1.  San Antonio Spurs
8.  Sacramento Kings
          They’re old.  They’re beatable.  That’s what everybody said all year.  Me?  I say, they’re veterans who win no matter what, and even if you can stay close to them, they have two finishers who can break down anybody off the dribble (Parker and Ginobili), they also have Big-Shot Rob, and the greatest power forward to ever play the game (and he’s getting healthier with all the rest in between games).  Spurs in four.

2.  Phoenix Suns
7.  Los Angeles Lakers
          Originally, I wanted the Spurs to play the Lakers, but this acually helps S.A. out.  Kobe’s scoring will enable the Lakers to steal two games away from the Suns, especially at home.  Maybe Coach Phil Jackson can coach them to another win.  I doubt it.  Suns in six.

3.  Denver Nuggets
5.  Los Angeles Clippers
          Denver did add Ruben Patterson and Reggie Evans, but I’m going to go with the Clippers here.  L.A. is starting to recognize them, and thus are starting to have recognizable fans at the games.  Add that to Sam Cassell in fourth quarters, and I like the Clippers.  It will take seven games, because Carmelo and the Nuggets’ toughness will get them three wins. 

4.  Dallas Mavericks
5.  Memphis Grizzlies
         Poor Memphis.  They keep getting better every single year, and all they have to show for it is a first-round loss to the third best team in the league.  Dirk continues his strong MVP campaign, and Josh Howard (in my opinion, the most important Mav by a mile and a half) will post several huge games.  By huge, I mean he’ll put up solid numbers in every important category.  Mavs in five. 

     Round 2
1.  San Antonio Spurs
4.  Dallas Mavericks
          Ridiculous.  The two best teams are playing in the second round.  Anyway, this will be a heated battle just like it has been for the past couple of years.  Spurs in seven.

2.  Phoenix Suns
6.  Los Angeles Clippers
          I’m torn here.  The Suns play great ball, but they’ve had so many injury problems this year.  I really do like them, but I’m afraid they’ll run into the same problems they ran into last playoffs against the Spurs.  The Clippers will kill them on the boards, especially offensively because of Elton Brand.  With all the extra shots the Clippers will get, I think they will be able to win this one.  Clippers in seven.

     Western Conference Finals
1.  San Antonio Spurs
6.  Los Angeles Clippers
          No questions asked.  Spurs in six. 

NBA Finals:
Detroit Pistons v. San Antonio Spurs
     Remember last year.  Hit the repeat button.  Only this time add some more offense.  Spurs in seven in what will go down as one of the best finals in NBA history.

There you have it folks.  Place your wagers.