As the 2010-2011 NBA Regular Season came to a close this week, we are left with the 8 annual Playoff Matchups of the 1st Round. I'm sticking with my NBA Finals prediction that came at the All-Star Break, Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers.
Eastern Conference
1. Chicago Bulls vs 8. Indiana Pacers
For the Bulls to Win : Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, and Carlos Boozer simply have to play basketball. Just like they've done consistently throughout the whole year, play as a team and play good hard nose defense. They're second in the league by allowing 91 point per game. Joakim Noah does not have to go out and dominate the boards, but yet simply cancel out Roy Hibbert. The easiest formula for them to win this series is carry the same team first attitude that's propelled them all season long.
For the Pacers to Win: Danny Granger needs to play better than his counterpart and MVP favorite Derrick Rose. He must lift the Pacers with big shots and provide a spark with tons of momentum, Derrick Collison needs to step up and be the sidekick to Granger, which means out performing Carlos Boozer. Roy Hibbert MUST shut down Joakim Noah on the glass if the Pacers are to have any shot in this series. In other words a perfect storm must happen in order of the Pacers to pull an upset.
Prediction: Chicago is way too talented to lose to a 37 win team in the first round, may be the most one sided series in the whole Playoffs. Chicago Bulls in 4
2. Miami Heat vs 7. Philadelphia 76ers
For the Heat to win: The Big 3 of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh must COEXIST like they've done at times for about 65% of the season. It seems once things to start going in the opponents favor, they turn into a bunch of individuals, this cannot happen if they are to win. As long as they play together, Miami should be fine(cautious optimism).
For the 76ers to win: Elton Brand must be a freak of nature and elevate his game, if he can top Miami's top scorer in each game the 76ers have a punchers chance when you couple that with the fact they play as a team. Philadelphia plays good enough but not great defense allowing 97 per game, banking on the fact it can keep them in these games enough for Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holliday to get in a rhythm.
Prediction: Miami has the home court advantage, plus the superior talent to get by the upset minded 76ers, I think each game will be a close fight but Miami pulls away in just about every one them. Miami Heat in 5
3. Boston Celtics vs. 6. New York Knicks
For the Celtics to win: When they put their league best defense on the floor they shut down everyone and everything. This will be extremely paramount for the Celtics as the the Knicks score the second most points in the NBA with 106 per game. Kevin Garnett will have to prove he still has something left in the tank and try to stymie Amare Stoudemire, same goes for Shaq as his health comes into question with the playoffs beginning, the C's being short on big men.
For the Knicks to win: Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks MUST bring the playoff intensity that is required to win these kinds of games. No more lackluster defense, not hustling, and dogging plays. To win in Playoff time requires playing tough defense, something New York has struggled with all season long. We know the Knicks will score points, but Amare must stay out of foul trouble and dominate games alongside of Melo in order for the Knicks to advance.
Prediction: I can see the Knicks winning this series, but the playoff and finals experience of the Celtics will be too great in the end for the still unfamiliarity of the Knicks chemistry. Boston Celtics in 6
4. Orlando Magic vs 5. Atlanta Hawks
For the Magic to win: Dwight Howard must dominate games like he always does, as long as Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy are on the same side, I like the Magic to win Playoff Series more than not, they have the experience as well as the fire power of others around them. J.J. Reddick and Jameer Nelson need to be the role players that compliment Dwight perfectly, the Magic must also make sure their 3 point game is on.
For the Hawks to win: First off the Hawks need to steal either game one or two in Orlando, If they come home to Atlanta down 2-0 the series might as well be over. Joe Johnson and Al Horford must play inspired basketball and also get contributions from Josh Smith. This team has a history of being disappointing come playoff time, they need a strong start out of the gate if things are to change.
Prediction: With home court advantage in favor of the Magic coupled with extremely poor play of the Hawks in recent games, it doesn't look good for Atlanta. Orlando Magic in 5
Western Conference
1. San Antonio Spurs vs 8. Memphis Grizzlies
For the Spurs to win: A Healthy Manu Ginobili would greatly help the Spurs, especially as this team has slightly declined since the All-Star break. Pure talent and experience far favors the Spurs, so the main chores for San Antonio would be to keep the dynamic scoring of Zach Randolph in check, as well as not receding the home court advantage to the Grizzlies.
For the Grizzlies to win: With the Grizzlies best scorer in Rudy Gay being sidelined, all the attention turns to Zach Randolph, he'll need to produce big games night in and night out if Memphis is to have any shot at upsetting the number 1 seeded Spurs. Marc Gasol will need to play like his brother and the Grizz best bet is to steal one game in San Antonio to have a punchers chance.
Prediction: Spurs are too talented and Memphis too short handed, simple as that, the Grizzlies will avoid a sweep however. San Antonio Spurs in 5
2. Los Angeles Lakers vs 7. New Orleans Hornets
For the Lakers to win: Kobe, Gasol, and Lamar Odom just need to go through the motions. Who knows if Andrew Bynum will be 100% for the series, it'll most likely have little impact either way. The defending champs just need to execute the playoff style basketball that they always seem to turn on come mid April.
For the Hornets to win: With New Orleans top scorer David West out with a torn ACL, massive production is needed by Chris Paul, the Hornets are very outgunned in this match up and need Emeka Okafor to step up as well, everyone needs to raise their intensity times 10. The fact is the Hornets must score lots of points, something they've failed to do all season, averaging 94 a game. Trevor Ariza and Jarret Jack need to fill some big shoes with timely buckets.
Prediction: I stand corrected, this is the most lopsided affair in the whole playoffs. Los Angeles Lakers in
4
3. Dallas Mavericks vs 6. Portland Trail Blazers
For the Mavericks to win: Dirk Nowitzki needs to out play Lamarcus Aldridge every single game at the power forward position. From their, the Maverick regulars should be able to handle Portland's regulars. Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, and J-Kidd all need to play smart efficient games, and most importantly, Dallas needs to win the first two at home, they don't want to head to Portland tied 1-1.
Fort the Trail Blazers to win: As stated above, except the opposite, Aldridge needs to outplay Nowitzki. This is going to be the key matchup that defines the series. Which Power Forward will assert his dominance. Whichever one does, their respective team will likely win the series. Quietly sneaking under the radar are Wesley Matthews and Gerald Wallace, they both need to score 20 plus every night and elevate Portland's 96 game average.
Prediction: A hard fought series, just falling short of a 7th game, I'm taking the experience and slight talent edge of Dallas. Dallas Mavericks in 6
4. Oklahoma City Thunder vs 5. Denver Nuggets
For the Thunder to win: They need to slow down Denver's league leading 107 points per game attack. The Thunder need to slow the pace of the game down extremely, no fast breaks, yet instead stagnant play calling style basketball. The Nuggets love to run and that needs to be taken away. Containing Danillo Gallinari from behind the arc is also important. Other than that, Kevin Durant and company mots play the dominant team play that they've used perfectly all year.
For the Nuggets to win: Their young inexperienced players such as Wilson Chandler and Danillo Gallinari need to mature in a heartbeat. Push the basketball at ball times and make the Thunder hustle back to defend, Denever has the speed and quickness to turn this into a marathon, Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton will be key in orchestrating this.
Prediction: I can see either team winning this series, but once again I'm going with the experience to determine the winner. Oklahoma City Thunder in 7
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