First Round
I dropped my laptop about 2-3 feet to the floor on Sunday and the hard drive died making it impossible for me to write from home. So being that I can’t do myself justice here from work I’m just going to do a short blurb on each series with my pick. Since the guys at Geeks & Nerds should have my laptop back by Tuesday or so the annual Tap Dancing and Year End Awards will be a little late too but things should be back to normal by the second round.
EAST
Indiana at Chicago – There’s not much to say here as the Bulls finished with the best record in the league while the Pacers were eight games under .500. Maybe Indy can steal Game 3 but since Tom Thibodeau and Derrick Rose haven’t taken their feet off the gas yet I don’t see them starting now. Chicago in 4.
Philadelphia at Miami – The Sixers do play hard but the open court style they excel at plays right into the Heat’s hands. If Lou Williams (right hamstring) being iffy isn’t bad enough take a gander at Dwyane Wade’s numbers against Philly this season: 30.7 points, 8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.3 blocks. Miami in 4.
Atlanta at Orlando – The Hawks won the season series 3-1 but finished the year losing six straight and looked extremely bad in doing so. This sounds crazy to say but for Atlanta to have a chance they need Jason Collins’ (left ankle) defense to frustrate Dwight Howard. Otherwise I don’t see much being different from last year’s playoff sweep. Magic in 5.
New York at Boston – I know people are all excited about this match up but I frankly don’t see it. The Knicks were 26th in defensive field goal percentage and the Celtics 3rd. I understand that Boston has been in a 15-12 funk since trading away Kendrick Perkins but I’m not willing to write them off just yet. Celtics in 5.
WEST
Portland at Dallas – Many people are predicting an upset here, and while the Blazers certainly have a shot, this team has yet to get over the hump in the first round. I know it has to start sometime but these Mavs are just too experienced and play better defense taboot. Dallas in 7.
Memphis at San Antonio – The Griz tanked down the stretch seemingly wanting to face the Spurs, and if Manu Ginobili (right elbow) can’t go or is limited Memphis coach Lionel Hollins will look like a genius. I do give Memphis a punchers chance at the upset here but it’s hard to see SA losing in the first round. Spurs in 6.
New Orleans at Los Angeles – Apparently Andrew Bynum (right knee) is good to go for Game 1 but I wouldn’t mind him sitting out until Game 2 on Wednesday just to be safe. Regardless the Hornets don’t have the size or athleticism to scare the Lakers. LA in 4.
Denver at Oklahoma City – I think this will be the most entertaining series of round one. It really could go either way as both of these sides have been much improved post-trade. I think it will come down to two things; Ty Lawson’s (left ankle) health and Kevin Durant’s greatness. If Lawson isn’t his normal speedy self the Nugs are in big trouble. In a series this close the difference is usually the best player on the court and that means KD has to be clutch in key moments. Thunder in 7.
EAST
Indiana at Chicago – There’s not much to say here as the Bulls finished with the best record in the league while the Pacers were eight games under .500. Maybe Indy can steal Game 3 but since Tom Thibodeau and Derrick Rose haven’t taken their feet off the gas yet I don’t see them starting now. Chicago in 4.
Philadelphia at Miami – The Sixers do play hard but the open court style they excel at plays right into the Heat’s hands. If Lou Williams (right hamstring) being iffy isn’t bad enough take a gander at Dwyane Wade’s numbers against Philly this season: 30.7 points, 8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.3 blocks. Miami in 4.
Atlanta at Orlando – The Hawks won the season series 3-1 but finished the year losing six straight and looked extremely bad in doing so. This sounds crazy to say but for Atlanta to have a chance they need Jason Collins’ (left ankle) defense to frustrate Dwight Howard. Otherwise I don’t see much being different from last year’s playoff sweep. Magic in 5.
New York at Boston – I know people are all excited about this match up but I frankly don’t see it. The Knicks were 26th in defensive field goal percentage and the Celtics 3rd. I understand that Boston has been in a 15-12 funk since trading away Kendrick Perkins but I’m not willing to write them off just yet. Celtics in 5.
WEST
Portland at Dallas – Many people are predicting an upset here, and while the Blazers certainly have a shot, this team has yet to get over the hump in the first round. I know it has to start sometime but these Mavs are just too experienced and play better defense taboot. Dallas in 7.
Memphis at San Antonio – The Griz tanked down the stretch seemingly wanting to face the Spurs, and if Manu Ginobili (right elbow) can’t go or is limited Memphis coach Lionel Hollins will look like a genius. I do give Memphis a punchers chance at the upset here but it’s hard to see SA losing in the first round. Spurs in 6.
New Orleans at Los Angeles – Apparently Andrew Bynum (right knee) is good to go for Game 1 but I wouldn’t mind him sitting out until Game 2 on Wednesday just to be safe. Regardless the Hornets don’t have the size or athleticism to scare the Lakers. LA in 4.
Denver at Oklahoma City – I think this will be the most entertaining series of round one. It really could go either way as both of these sides have been much improved post-trade. I think it will come down to two things; Ty Lawson’s (left ankle) health and Kevin Durant’s greatness. If Lawson isn’t his normal speedy self the Nugs are in big trouble. In a series this close the difference is usually the best player on the court and that means KD has to be clutch in key moments. Thunder in 7.
posted by D$ at 3:28 PM
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