Hello to the few people who actually read this; I have not written anything for months and it is pretty sad because I am constantly thinking of things I want to write about, but haven't made the time to do it. I am going to try to write a bit more but we will see if it actually happens. As for today, I am going to give my predictions for the NBA playoffs which begin in just a few hours. Here goes:
First Round
#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #8 Houston Rockets
As much as I would love to see OKC go down early because Russell Westbrook drives me insane and Kevin Durant has started to really annoy me, I don't think Houston stands a chance in this series. OKC will want to prove they are better off with Harden (even though they aren't) and will play balls to the wall from the get go. These games will be entertaining and high scoring, but OKC is just too good.
Thunder in 5
#2 San Antonio Spurs vs #7 Los Angeles Lakers
I find it rather funny how many "experts" are talking about how dangerous the Lakers are against a "beat up" Spurs team. The Lakers shouldn't even be in the playoffs; they needed the help of the NBA (50-16 free throw advantage last Friday and only win by 2, one of many games handed to the Lakers this season) and the Utah Jazz. If the Jazz don't lose a whole bunch of very winnable close games this season, the Lakers are sitting at home right now. No worries though, they shall be there soon enough; if Tony Parker is healthy for this series, he will destroy the Lakers backcourt all series. Lakers will win one game, possibly even two because sadly more Lakers games means more money for the league. In the end, Spurs are way better than L.A.
Spurs in 5
#3 Denver Nuggets vs #6 Golden State Warriors
I love watching Steph Curry play, and I think he will score a lot in this series. That being said, I think Denver is just a better overall team and plays similar to how Golden State plays, only better. If healthy, I think Denver wins this series easily, but that is a big if right now. Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried are dealing with injuries and Galinari is already done for the year. I am banking on Lawson and Faried being okay, and Nuggets winning the series fairly easy. If those two aren't healthy, this paragraph never happened.
Nuggets in 5
# 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs #5 Memphis Grizzlies
A rematch of last year's first round where the Clippers took out the Grizzlies in 7. I think Chris Paul is the best player in this series, but the combination of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol is far better than the combination of Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan. If Memphis is able to keep those two out of foul trouble, they should be able to slow the games down and win a very low scoring, hard fought series.
Grizzlies in 6
#1 Miami Heat vs #8 Milwaukee Bucks
Not much to say about this series. Miami is far superior and Lebron is just playing on a level far above anyone else in the league.
Heat in 4
#2 New York Knicks vs #7 Boston Celtics
I am 100% biased in making this pick, but I really think that if Garnett can stay on the floor for a solid 30-35 minutes a game, and if good Jeff Green shows up, the Celtics will take down the Knicks. I could be way off the the Knicks could sweep Boston, but I just don't see it happening. The Knicks rely way too heavily on 3 pointers and in the playoffs, games slow down and scoring is much more difficult. Boston has a very good defensive backcourt and Paul Pierce seems to play his best against New York. I know Melo is playing well right now, but I just have a feeling about this one. Celtics will steal game 1 today, and they won't lose back in Boston.
Celtics in 6
#3 Indiana Pacers vs #6 Atlanta Hawks
Not to be mean, but nobody cares about this series other than the players families, and they might not even show up. Nobody is watching this series, and luckily it won't last long. Even though they have struggled lately, the Pacers are the better team.
Pacers in 5
#4 Brooklyn Nets vs #5 Chicago Bulls
With Joakim Noah hurt it makes this series very difficult to predict. If he was healthy I think Bulls win easily, but without him the Nets will be able to force feed Brook Lopez all they want. We all know Carlos Boozer isn't playing defense against anyone. I am hoping Noah is able to play because I really want to see a Bulls Heat matchup in round 2, and I really really want Deron Williams to just go home as soon as possible.
Bulls in 6
Second Round
Thunder vs Grizzlies
If the Clippers beat the Grizz in round 1, I think OKC takes them out quickly in round 2. If the Grizz advance, however, I think they match up really well with OKC and can slow them down enough to frustrate both Westbrook and Durant. The one toss up: officials. If Durant and Westbrook get every call, the Grizzlies will be in trouble because they have to be able to keep Gasol and Randolph on the floor. If the officials let them play in this series, I think Memphis is able to pull the upset.
Grizzlies in 6
Spurs vs Nuggets
I think this series will be very entertaining. Tony Parker and Ty Lawson both run their teams extremely well and the defenses might not show up for either team. Denver is extremely tough at home, so if they can steal a game in San Antonio, watch out. I think this series goes back and forth, but in the end, home court wins out.
Spurs in 7
Heat vs Bulls
As I said before I hope this series happens. Not because I actually think the Bulls can win the series, but because they won't just roll over for Miami. Chicago is very tough team that isn't scared of the Heat in any way. Miami will win the series and it won't go past 5 games, but Chicago will make them work for every bit of it. This series will test Lebron's patience because Chicago will go at him time and time again with physical play. Let's just hope the 6'8, 250 lb freakish athlete doesn't spend the whole series whining.
Heat in 5
Pacers vs Celtics
If Boston is able to upset New York, I actually like this matchup for them. Indiana likes to slow it down just like Boston does. Boston won the regular season series 2-0, with the last game being cancelled. I think this is a very physical, low scoring, at most times "boring" series that will feature a lot of missed shots. Again I think Boston steals home court in the first 2 games and takes care of business at home.
Celtics in 6
Conference Finals
Spurs vs Grizzlies
This series will be very close throughout. They split the season series, and 3 of the 4 games were decided by 4 points or less, 2 of them in overtime. Parker will win the point guard matchup while the combination of Gasol and Randolph will be very tough for the Spurs to handle. The key to the series is going to be Kawai Leonard. If he plays well, spurs win a close hard fought series.
Spurs in 7
Heat vs Celtics
As much as I would love to, I can't be that big of a homer. Boston will be tired and worn down by the time they get to this point, and Miami will run through them for the most part. Boston won't go down without a fight, but the series won't be as close as I would like it to be. Barring a Lebron injury, Celtics don't have a chance.
Heat in 5
NBA Finals
Spurs vs Heat
I think this will be a fun series to watch, and it wouldn't shock me if the Spurs won. Gregg Popovich is the best coach in the NBA by far and he will have the Spurs ready to go. That being said, I don't see any way the Spurs can contain both Lebron and Wade. Kawai Leonard can slow one of them down, but that's it. The Spurs will be more tired after 2 straight 7 game series, while the Heat won't have played more than 5 games a series, and they won't here either. Really hope I am wrong, but I think Miami takes it for the 2nd straight year, and Lebron keeps moving up the list of all time greats.
Heat in 5
There you have it. I will be back next weekend to make my (wildly speculative) NHL playoff picks.
Til Next Time,
Dallas
