Official series picks on the way, but this is my first round unofficial leans:
This year's NBA playoff match ups include the absolute best basketball you could possibly ask for. This is exactly what I was talking about when you were all hating on the NBA during the lockout... if you are trying to tell me there is nothing interesting about a FIRST ROUND SEVEN GAME series between the THUNDER and MAVERICKS, or the HEAT & KNICKS.. you are just an asshole.
here are your first round series breakdowns :
(260-230 NBA 2011-2012)
Chicago V 76ers = Chicago in 5.
Sixers play good D, but so do the bulls. Elton Brand is going to have a tough go of it with Chicago's front court focusing on him. Sixers just not deep enough.
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Boston V Atlanta = Boston in 6
The Celtics and Spurs have one thing in common. This is their last chance to make any impact with their core players. They will come out on all cylinders this time and expose Atlanta's inconsistencies. Atl might take one in Boston, but if they don't take one of the first two this will get ugly. Boston's second unit will be key here.
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Indiana V Orlando = WTF? No Dwight? Indiana in 6.
Orlando is still an okay team without Dwight, especially since he was deliberately playing like shit the second half of the year. But they can't beat this Indiana team more than twice and thats being very conservative..
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Miami V Knicks = Miami in 7
This is going to be one of the best series you have ever seen, as long as amare doesn't get hurt again. these two teams are a nightmare for one another and I think Miami has a slight advantage because Jeremy Lin is out. Baron Davis and Mike Bibby are not the most defensively oriented point guards on earth and I think with the constant penetration and forced rotation by the slashing attack of the Heat, we will see a lot of Mario Chalmers wide open with a slow closeout coming from Davis. On the other hand, The knicks are excellent at the 4 and 5, and the heat are not so incredible on D at the 4 and 5 spot. I think when Chandler can get his own points and take some pressure off Amare, the Knicks will be able to pull out victories. Lets not forget there is an established in Conference rivalry in place here, probably the second best in the NBA behind Celtics/Lakers... I want to say the Knicks win, but I just don't think they can stop the heat and beat them 4 times. Expect lebron to push Melo's defensive abilities to the edge when matched up.
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SPURS V UTAH = Spurs in 6
Spurs simply score too many points for the Jazz. the Jazz are incredibly proficient with their offense when they are healthy, and I expect them to take one, maybe two at home, but I just can't see them beating San Antonio more than twice overall. Not a good matchup for UTAH, would have been a much better matchup for the suns. To Utah's credit I could see them surprising the spurs early, but... not too likely.
Memphis V Clippers = Clippers in 6 (maybe 7)
To me, If i were Memphis's front office I would be very nervous about this match up. This is a situation where Memphis would have been better off with a lower seed and a match up that they can control with their athleticism. The Clippers are just as athletic as memphis, and I believe griffin will be a tough matchup for ZEBO. I also think Jordan, if he can stay on his feet could be trouble for Gasol early in the series and I just think that with Cp3 the Clippers can emerge from the first round here. Tony Allen will have to play out of his mind, he will be the X factor here with his Championship experience, but I do not think it will be enough to stop the Clippers. The addition of K - MART is going to prove to be a good investment in this series as he should tear apart the Grizz Second unit front men.
Lakers V Denver= Lakers in 6
Denver is going to be very upset that they traded NENE when they see what happens to Javale Mcgee and Kenneth Faried in this series. Denver had the perfect match up for LA all year and that trade, although perhaps advantageous for the future, is going to cripple Denver in this series. The loss of World Peace for the first 6 games is going to be a problem, but I think the lakers prevail nonetheless because of their unmatchable big men.
Thunder V Dallas = Thunder in 7
I say in seven because I think dallas is going to play like a team possessed. They really can't match up with the thunder at the 1 or the 3, although in the converse, Ibaka always gets eaten up by Dirk, and I think Marion and Carter can keep Durant and Harden on their toes throughout the series. The Veteran impact for the Mavs will be profound, but counter that with a little Derek Fisher for 3 once in a while and some clutch defending and the Thunder are just too much. Sorry Dallas... I wanna put my money on you guys, but I just think Durant is going to be too tough. Couple games go to dallas... but can they win 5 6 and 7?
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