Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
ANALYSIS: Here we go again...Lakers/Celtics. Celtics/Lakers. Boston toughness vs. L.A. flair. The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same. The Lakers come in the Finals trying to defend their crown and having been tested well in the playoffs. Los Angeles may have won all seven of their postseason home games but they have clinched all three series on the road leading up to this point. The Celtics, on the other hand, look to stop another superstar in order to win championship No. 18. Boston may have finished the regular season at .500 with a 27-27 record, but have gelled together at the perfect time to pull together one of the more unprecedented title runs in NBA history. Both teams are at full strength so there should be no excuses to who wins (or loses) the title this time around.
SEASON SERIES: tied, 1-1 (both road teams won by 1...but Boston's win was without Kobe playing for L.A.)
PREDICTION: Celtics in 6
MATCHUP: Ron Artest vs. Paul Pierce (the two rivals strike again)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 5 (For Boston to win this series, they must be ahead at this point or have clinched, it will be hard for them to win two elimination games on the road)
POSITION SHOWDOWNS
PG: Derek Fisher vs. Rajon Rondo
ADVANTAGE: Rondo
-Rondo has been amazing in the playoffs thus far, averaging 16.7 points and 10.0 assists per game on 46.7% shooting. Once seen as the guy that can hold the Big Three back, he has shown that he is more than capable of driving the fancy Benz and parking it too. Fisher is still a good point guard, but his past three match-ups (Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, and Steve Nash) have resulted him to be on the losing end.
SG: Kobe Bryant vs. Ray Allen
ADVANTAGE: Kobe
-You do not have to like him, but you must respect him. Charles Barkley has said that Kobe is not as effective as he was, but he is shooting his best from the field since the 2006 playoffs and has his best playoff three-point percentage ever. Also, his 6.2 assists per game are the best that he has done in the playoffs, as he is learning to be much smarter. Ray Allen is still a clutch, pure shooter, but against Kobe...
SF: Ron Artest vs. Paul Pierce
ADVANTAGE: Pierce
-Like I said earlier, this is the key match-up. Artest is better defensively, while Pierce is better on offense. However, I will take "The Truth" over "The Tru Warrior" in this one, because Paul's defense is better than Ron's offense. This should be interesting to see, hopefully Artest does not try to pull on Pierce's shorts again.
PF: Pau Gasol vs. Kevin Garnett
ADVANTAGE: Gasol
-I hate to say it, but Gasol has the advantage over Kevin Garnett in this match-up. KG was barely existent in the Eastern Conference Finals, while Pau did well in the West Finals and exposed Amare Stoudemire for his lack of defense. Good thing is, Garnett is better defensively than Amare and he can play closer to the goal since the Lakers don't spread their players out like the Orlando Magic do, but Gasol still wins.
C: Andrew Bynum vs. Kendrick Perkins
ADVANTAGE: Push (Bynum could get hurt, Perkins could get suspended)
-Both players are not what you consider Patrick Ewing, now are they? In the least-glamorized match-up of the Finals, things can be alter on two things, Bynum's knee and Perkins' attitude. Bynum's knee is not getting better, and he had fluid drained out of it prior to The Finals, while if Perkins gets one more technical foul, he'll be suspended for a game (he can get suspended for every odd numbered technical beginning with 7).
BENCH PLAY: Lakers vs. Celtics
ADVANTAGE: Celtics
-How will Boston counteract when the Lakers put in Lamar Odom, with Rasheed Wallace or Glen Davis? If Nate Robinson goes off, does Jordan Farmar or Sasha Vujacic have an answer? My edge goes to Boston, but they both mirror each other like a Yankees-Red Sox series.
Showing posts with label 2010 NBA Playoffs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010 NBA Playoffs. Show all posts
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
THE NBA PLAYOFFS: THE CONFERENCE FINALS
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics
ANALYSIS: The Orlando Magic are in a rematch in the Eastern Conference Finals against a team they played against in the 2009 playoffs. However, some people did not expect this to be the Boston Celtics that would be squaring off for the conference crown. The Magic have coasted through the first two rounds unscathed while Boston has made two potential free agents thinking about their futures weeks prematurely than they would have liked to. Last year's series went the full seven games, but Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, and Jameer Nelson were not part of that series, but they all will love to make an impact in this one.
SEASON SERIES: Magic, 3-1
PREDICTION: Magic in 7
MATCH-UP: Paul Pierce vs. Vince Carter (whoever is more of a factor will help their team out more)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 7 (this series is evenly matched)
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
ANALYSIS: The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns took similar paths to get to this year's Western Conference Finals. Both went to six games in the first round, and both swept their second round opponent to get to this showdown, but that is where the similarities end. The Lakers appear to be hitting on all cylinders along with creating a vast size difference against any opponent. Some fans figured the Suns had a chance to beat the Spurs, but no one expected that a sweep would be the outcome. The Lakers will be playing against their best big man opposition in Amare Stoudemire, but can the Suns finally make it to the Finals with Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Amare, and a new commitment to defense?
SEASON SERIES: Lakers, 3-1
PREDICTION: Lakers in 6
MATCH-UP: Kobe Bryant vs. Grant Hill (Hill will play the role of "Kobe Stopper" as he tries to get his 1st ring)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 5 (The winner of this game will have great chance to win Game 6, too)
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics
ANALYSIS: The Orlando Magic are in a rematch in the Eastern Conference Finals against a team they played against in the 2009 playoffs. However, some people did not expect this to be the Boston Celtics that would be squaring off for the conference crown. The Magic have coasted through the first two rounds unscathed while Boston has made two potential free agents thinking about their futures weeks prematurely than they would have liked to. Last year's series went the full seven games, but Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, and Jameer Nelson were not part of that series, but they all will love to make an impact in this one.
SEASON SERIES: Magic, 3-1
PREDICTION: Magic in 7
MATCH-UP: Paul Pierce vs. Vince Carter (whoever is more of a factor will help their team out more)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 7 (this series is evenly matched)
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
ANALYSIS: The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns took similar paths to get to this year's Western Conference Finals. Both went to six games in the first round, and both swept their second round opponent to get to this showdown, but that is where the similarities end. The Lakers appear to be hitting on all cylinders along with creating a vast size difference against any opponent. Some fans figured the Suns had a chance to beat the Spurs, but no one expected that a sweep would be the outcome. The Lakers will be playing against their best big man opposition in Amare Stoudemire, but can the Suns finally make it to the Finals with Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Amare, and a new commitment to defense?
SEASON SERIES: Lakers, 3-1
PREDICTION: Lakers in 6
MATCH-UP: Kobe Bryant vs. Grant Hill (Hill will play the role of "Kobe Stopper" as he tries to get his 1st ring)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 5 (The winner of this game will have great chance to win Game 6, too)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
THE NBA PLAYOFFS: UPDATED POWER RANKINGS & THE CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
POWER RANKINGS
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Orlando Magic
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. San Antonio Spurs
5. Boston Celtics
6. Phoenix Suns
7. Utah Jazz
8. Atlanta Hawks/Milwaukee Bucks
EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
ANALYSIS: These two teams know each other all too well. The last time the LeBrons faced the Boston Three Party in the playoff was in a thrilling seven-game series in the 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals, with an even exciting Game 7. LeBron James and Paul Pierce matched 40-point performances, but it was the Celtics prevailing en route to their 17th NBA championship. Now, the Cavaliers have Shaquille O'Neal and Antwan Jamison to help out LeBron as he looks for that elusive title. Both teams dispatched their opponents in five games to get here, so expect another knockdown, drag-out fight that will go seven.
SEASON SERIES: tied, 2-2
PREDICTION: Cavaliers in 7
MATCH-UP: LeBron, Shaq, & Jamison vs. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen (The big three players)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 7 (like in 2008, the home team could win every game in this series)
Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks/Milwaukee Bucks
ANALYSIS: The Orlando Magic are looking dominant this postseason after a sweep of the Charlotte Bobcats in the first round. The amazing thing is that they were able to do this with Dwight Howard being limited to foul trouble. Expect him to play a bigger role in this series, against either one of these two teams, especially against the Bucks without Andrew Bogut. The Hawks' immaturity and lack of winning on the road against a quality opponent could doom them in the end, and the Bucks' inexperience could do the same thing.
SEASON SERIES: (ORL/ATL) Magic, 3-1; (ORL/MIL) Magic, 3-0
PREDICTION: (ORL/ATL) Magic in 4, (ORL/MIL) Magic in 4
MATCH-UP: the point guards (Nelson vs. Bibby/Jennings)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 1 (Will the Magic be rusty? Will Atlanta or Milwaukee be tired?)
WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz
ANALYSIS: The undermanned Utah Jazz shocked the Denver Nuggets in six games, while the Los Angeles Lakers were nearly shocked by the Oklahoma City Thunder, needing a crucial putback shot by Pau Gasol to not force a seventh game. This will be the third straight year that these teams will do battle in the playoffs, and the Lakers won on their road to the NBA Finals the previous two years. It will be difficult for the Jazz to try to reverse that trend this year, with them severely lacking size with no lengthy option to counteract Gasol, Bynum, and Odom...but as always true with a Jerry Sloan team, the team never gives up and plays hard.
SEASON SERIES: Lakers, 3-1
PREDICTION: Lakers in 5
MATCH-UP: Boozer and Millsap vs. Gasol, Bynum, and Odom (the battle of the bigs)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 3 (Kirilenko wants to come back then)
Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs
ANALYSIS: The rivalry continues! Two anomalies stand out here: 1) a No.7 seed is actually a dangerous team in the playoffs. 2) The Suns actually won a game without scoring 100 points! (They won 99-90 in Game 6 against Portland.) As always though in this series, it's all about the pace of the game. A fast pace favors the Suns, and a slow pace favors the Spurs. Whoever can control the pace of the game, wins this series.
SEASON SERIES: Suns, 2-1 (home team won every game)
PREDICTION: Spurs in 6
MATCH-UP: Parker vs. Nash (they will determine the pace of this series)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 1 (What style and pace this series will have will be dictated here)
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Orlando Magic
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. San Antonio Spurs
5. Boston Celtics
6. Phoenix Suns
7. Utah Jazz
8. Atlanta Hawks/Milwaukee Bucks
EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
ANALYSIS: These two teams know each other all too well. The last time the LeBrons faced the Boston Three Party in the playoff was in a thrilling seven-game series in the 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals, with an even exciting Game 7. LeBron James and Paul Pierce matched 40-point performances, but it was the Celtics prevailing en route to their 17th NBA championship. Now, the Cavaliers have Shaquille O'Neal and Antwan Jamison to help out LeBron as he looks for that elusive title. Both teams dispatched their opponents in five games to get here, so expect another knockdown, drag-out fight that will go seven.
SEASON SERIES: tied, 2-2
PREDICTION: Cavaliers in 7
MATCH-UP: LeBron, Shaq, & Jamison vs. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen (The big three players)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 7 (like in 2008, the home team could win every game in this series)
Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks/Milwaukee Bucks
ANALYSIS: The Orlando Magic are looking dominant this postseason after a sweep of the Charlotte Bobcats in the first round. The amazing thing is that they were able to do this with Dwight Howard being limited to foul trouble. Expect him to play a bigger role in this series, against either one of these two teams, especially against the Bucks without Andrew Bogut. The Hawks' immaturity and lack of winning on the road against a quality opponent could doom them in the end, and the Bucks' inexperience could do the same thing.
SEASON SERIES: (ORL/ATL) Magic, 3-1; (ORL/MIL) Magic, 3-0
PREDICTION: (ORL/ATL) Magic in 4, (ORL/MIL) Magic in 4
MATCH-UP: the point guards (Nelson vs. Bibby/Jennings)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 1 (Will the Magic be rusty? Will Atlanta or Milwaukee be tired?)
WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz
ANALYSIS: The undermanned Utah Jazz shocked the Denver Nuggets in six games, while the Los Angeles Lakers were nearly shocked by the Oklahoma City Thunder, needing a crucial putback shot by Pau Gasol to not force a seventh game. This will be the third straight year that these teams will do battle in the playoffs, and the Lakers won on their road to the NBA Finals the previous two years. It will be difficult for the Jazz to try to reverse that trend this year, with them severely lacking size with no lengthy option to counteract Gasol, Bynum, and Odom...but as always true with a Jerry Sloan team, the team never gives up and plays hard.
SEASON SERIES: Lakers, 3-1
PREDICTION: Lakers in 5
MATCH-UP: Boozer and Millsap vs. Gasol, Bynum, and Odom (the battle of the bigs)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 3 (Kirilenko wants to come back then)
Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs
ANALYSIS: The rivalry continues! Two anomalies stand out here: 1) a No.7 seed is actually a dangerous team in the playoffs. 2) The Suns actually won a game without scoring 100 points! (They won 99-90 in Game 6 against Portland.) As always though in this series, it's all about the pace of the game. A fast pace favors the Suns, and a slow pace favors the Spurs. Whoever can control the pace of the game, wins this series.
SEASON SERIES: Suns, 2-1 (home team won every game)
PREDICTION: Spurs in 6
MATCH-UP: Parker vs. Nash (they will determine the pace of this series)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 1 (What style and pace this series will have will be dictated here)
Saturday, April 17, 2010
THE 2010 NBA PLAYOFFS: POWER RANKINGS & THE CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
POWER RANKINGS
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Dallas Mavericks
4. Orlando Magic
5. Denver Nuggets
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. Boston Celtics
8. Portland Trail Blazers
9. Phoenix Suns
10. San Antonio Spurs
11. Miami Heat
12. Utah Jazz
13. Charlotte Bobcats
14. Oklahoma City Thunder
15. Milwaukee Bucks
16. Chicago Bulls
EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls
ANALYSIS: Well the side that #23 is on always seems to dominate this series. In the 80s and 90s, Michael Jordan was like the bogeyman in Cleveland...always being a nightmare to Cavs fans. Now, LeBron James is doing the same to Chicago residents (and Joakim Noah). Even though the season series was tied at 2-2, the Bulls won their two games by only one point. Chicago does have the historical playoff advantage, though. The last time the Cavs won against the Bulls in the playoffs was May 25, 1992 and they have lost nine straight playoff games to them.
SEASON SERIES: tied, 2-2
PREDICTION: Cavaliers in 5
MATCH-UP: LeBron James vs. Joakim Noah (who knows, maybe a little Dancing With the Stars action, lol)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 3 (the Cavs should be up 2-0 and this will determine if this is a sweep or series)
Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Bobcats
ANALYSIS: It's playoff time in Charlotte for the first time since 2002! May 12, 2002 was the last time the Charlotte faithful experienced a playoff game when the Hornets lost Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the New Jersey Nets. Ironically, the Hornets last series win in Charlotte came against the Magic in a 3-1 triumph. Two years of no basketball and six years of steady building a good franchise later, the Bobcats have arrived and this will be a battle of two of the top four defenses. Orlando scores much more, but they take more MUCH threes than their opponents (319 more made, 804 more taken). Larry Brown's teams play the right way, so in this series expect games in the mid- to high-90s.
SEASON SERIES: Magic, 3-1
PREDICTION: Magic in 6
MATCH-UP: Charlotte's D vs. Orlando's 3-pt shooting (Orlando has been known to live and die by the 3)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 3 (the crowd at the Time Warner Cable Arena will be electric)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks
ANALYSIS: You want excitement, you got excitement in this series against two up-and-coming teams. Atlanta has rapidly improved since 2007 from fluke playoff team to a solid contender, while Milwaukee looks like the team of the future. The Bucks looked dead in the water when Michael Redd went down with a season-ending injury, but since acquiring John Salmons and the All-Star Break they have been one of the best teams. Sadly, Andrew Bogut's 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds will be missed, and for the Hawks, who like to go big, this series could end quick.
SEASON SERIES: Hawks, 2-1
PREDICTION: Hawks in 5
MATCH-UP: Mike Bibby vs. Brandon Jennings (veteran PG vs. rookie PG)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 1 (Can the Bucks hang?)
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
ANALYSIS: This is a pretty good match-up as well, as the Celtics have struggled down the stretch and Miami ended the season on a 12-1 clip to get the #5 seed. Boston is really showing its age, while injuries and rust have caused the team to go 27-27 since Christmas. Miami is all about Dwyane Wade though, but finally role players like Jermaine O'Neal and Michael Beasley are stepping up, and cannot be counted out. Looks like another series involving the phrases "Boston Celtics" and "Game 7" is going to happen.
SEASON SERIES: Celtics, 3-0
PREDICTION: Celtics in 7
MATCH-UP: The Boston Three Party (Garnett, Pierce, Allen)vs D-Wade (c'mon, need I explain?)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 7 (Can Boston shake its rust or will someone help Wade out?)
WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
ANALYSIS: Time to "Thunder Up" in OKC! Oklahoma City has been great hosts to basketball teams in the past, ask the Hornets in 2005-2007, and finally they have been paid back with a playoff appearance. However, they will take on the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers for their first match-up. MVP candidates Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant will sure electrify the crowd, but despite being healthy all year, the Thunder will be overmatched by the veteran laden Laker squad.
SEASON SERIES: Lakers, 3-1
PREDICTION: Lakers in 5
MATCH-UP: Bryant vs. Durant (two of the purest shooters in the game)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 3 (1st playoff game in Oklahoma City)
Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs
ANALYSIS: This is the best first-round match-up hands down. Dallas and San Antonio met in the playoffs four times in the 2000s, with both teams winning two series apiece. This year, the Mavericks have been energized with the trade for Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood, but the Spurs cannot be counted out in the playoffs, regardless of record. Looks like this "I-35 series" will be another one for the books, and expect seven games because anything less will be a shame.
SEASON SERIES: Mavericks, 3-1
PREDICTION: Mavericks in 7
MATCH-UP: The Big 3's of both teams (Dirk, Caron, and Kidd vs. Duncan, Manu, and Parker)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 7 (you know its bound to happen)
Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers
ANALYSIS: Phoenix is most definitely back to its run-and-gun days, scoring at will against anyone. Portland is the exact opposite, a very good defensive team. However, injuries have ravaged the Blazers this season, with Greg Oden, Joel Przybilla, and now Brandon Roy all going down and unavailable until next season. Portland has kept afloat all season, but in order to win here they need to hold the Suns into fewer than 100 points. If they do that, Portland will gut it out and win this series. If not, it would be a good effort for a team that endured so much.
SEASON SERIES: Trail Blazers, 2-1
PREDICTION: Trail Blazers in 7
MATCH-UP: Amare Stoudemire vs. Marcus Camby (Offensive Big v. Defensive Big)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 1 (Can the undermanned Blazers keept up with the pace?)
Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz
ANALYSIS: Playing with heavy hearts for their coach George Karl, Denver is trying to build on their strong showing from last year, while Utah is trying to see if Carlos Boozer can play Game 1 and trying to prepare for the fact that Andrei Kirilenko will not play in this series. Since the trade to get Chauncey Billups in 2008, the Nuggets have become a great team, but everyone seems to sleep on Utah because they play the right way. This series should be a dandy, with good balance of the starters and bench players from both teams.
SEASON SERIES: Nuggets, 2-1
PREDICTION: Nuggets in 6
MATCH-UP: J.R. Smith vs. Paul Millsap (Great 6th men: the shooter vs. the rebounder)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 5 (this series can be tied 2-2 at this point, the winner here will most likely win the series)
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Dallas Mavericks
4. Orlando Magic
5. Denver Nuggets
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. Boston Celtics
8. Portland Trail Blazers
9. Phoenix Suns
10. San Antonio Spurs
11. Miami Heat
12. Utah Jazz
13. Charlotte Bobcats
14. Oklahoma City Thunder
15. Milwaukee Bucks
16. Chicago Bulls
EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls
ANALYSIS: Well the side that #23 is on always seems to dominate this series. In the 80s and 90s, Michael Jordan was like the bogeyman in Cleveland...always being a nightmare to Cavs fans. Now, LeBron James is doing the same to Chicago residents (and Joakim Noah). Even though the season series was tied at 2-2, the Bulls won their two games by only one point. Chicago does have the historical playoff advantage, though. The last time the Cavs won against the Bulls in the playoffs was May 25, 1992 and they have lost nine straight playoff games to them.
SEASON SERIES: tied, 2-2
PREDICTION: Cavaliers in 5
MATCH-UP: LeBron James vs. Joakim Noah (who knows, maybe a little Dancing With the Stars action, lol)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 3 (the Cavs should be up 2-0 and this will determine if this is a sweep or series)
Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Bobcats
ANALYSIS: It's playoff time in Charlotte for the first time since 2002! May 12, 2002 was the last time the Charlotte faithful experienced a playoff game when the Hornets lost Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the New Jersey Nets. Ironically, the Hornets last series win in Charlotte came against the Magic in a 3-1 triumph. Two years of no basketball and six years of steady building a good franchise later, the Bobcats have arrived and this will be a battle of two of the top four defenses. Orlando scores much more, but they take more MUCH threes than their opponents (319 more made, 804 more taken). Larry Brown's teams play the right way, so in this series expect games in the mid- to high-90s.
SEASON SERIES: Magic, 3-1
PREDICTION: Magic in 6
MATCH-UP: Charlotte's D vs. Orlando's 3-pt shooting (Orlando has been known to live and die by the 3)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 3 (the crowd at the Time Warner Cable Arena will be electric)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks
ANALYSIS: You want excitement, you got excitement in this series against two up-and-coming teams. Atlanta has rapidly improved since 2007 from fluke playoff team to a solid contender, while Milwaukee looks like the team of the future. The Bucks looked dead in the water when Michael Redd went down with a season-ending injury, but since acquiring John Salmons and the All-Star Break they have been one of the best teams. Sadly, Andrew Bogut's 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds will be missed, and for the Hawks, who like to go big, this series could end quick.
SEASON SERIES: Hawks, 2-1
PREDICTION: Hawks in 5
MATCH-UP: Mike Bibby vs. Brandon Jennings (veteran PG vs. rookie PG)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 1 (Can the Bucks hang?)
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
ANALYSIS: This is a pretty good match-up as well, as the Celtics have struggled down the stretch and Miami ended the season on a 12-1 clip to get the #5 seed. Boston is really showing its age, while injuries and rust have caused the team to go 27-27 since Christmas. Miami is all about Dwyane Wade though, but finally role players like Jermaine O'Neal and Michael Beasley are stepping up, and cannot be counted out. Looks like another series involving the phrases "Boston Celtics" and "Game 7" is going to happen.
SEASON SERIES: Celtics, 3-0
PREDICTION: Celtics in 7
MATCH-UP: The Boston Three Party (Garnett, Pierce, Allen)vs D-Wade (c'mon, need I explain?)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 7 (Can Boston shake its rust or will someone help Wade out?)
WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
ANALYSIS: Time to "Thunder Up" in OKC! Oklahoma City has been great hosts to basketball teams in the past, ask the Hornets in 2005-2007, and finally they have been paid back with a playoff appearance. However, they will take on the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers for their first match-up. MVP candidates Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant will sure electrify the crowd, but despite being healthy all year, the Thunder will be overmatched by the veteran laden Laker squad.
SEASON SERIES: Lakers, 3-1
PREDICTION: Lakers in 5
MATCH-UP: Bryant vs. Durant (two of the purest shooters in the game)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 3 (1st playoff game in Oklahoma City)
Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs
ANALYSIS: This is the best first-round match-up hands down. Dallas and San Antonio met in the playoffs four times in the 2000s, with both teams winning two series apiece. This year, the Mavericks have been energized with the trade for Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood, but the Spurs cannot be counted out in the playoffs, regardless of record. Looks like this "I-35 series" will be another one for the books, and expect seven games because anything less will be a shame.
SEASON SERIES: Mavericks, 3-1
PREDICTION: Mavericks in 7
MATCH-UP: The Big 3's of both teams (Dirk, Caron, and Kidd vs. Duncan, Manu, and Parker)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 7 (you know its bound to happen)
Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers
ANALYSIS: Phoenix is most definitely back to its run-and-gun days, scoring at will against anyone. Portland is the exact opposite, a very good defensive team. However, injuries have ravaged the Blazers this season, with Greg Oden, Joel Przybilla, and now Brandon Roy all going down and unavailable until next season. Portland has kept afloat all season, but in order to win here they need to hold the Suns into fewer than 100 points. If they do that, Portland will gut it out and win this series. If not, it would be a good effort for a team that endured so much.
SEASON SERIES: Trail Blazers, 2-1
PREDICTION: Trail Blazers in 7
MATCH-UP: Amare Stoudemire vs. Marcus Camby (Offensive Big v. Defensive Big)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 1 (Can the undermanned Blazers keept up with the pace?)
Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz
ANALYSIS: Playing with heavy hearts for their coach George Karl, Denver is trying to build on their strong showing from last year, while Utah is trying to see if Carlos Boozer can play Game 1 and trying to prepare for the fact that Andrei Kirilenko will not play in this series. Since the trade to get Chauncey Billups in 2008, the Nuggets have become a great team, but everyone seems to sleep on Utah because they play the right way. This series should be a dandy, with good balance of the starters and bench players from both teams.
SEASON SERIES: Nuggets, 2-1
PREDICTION: Nuggets in 6
MATCH-UP: J.R. Smith vs. Paul Millsap (Great 6th men: the shooter vs. the rebounder)
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 5 (this series can be tied 2-2 at this point, the winner here will most likely win the series)
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