JALMOND
April 16th, 2009, 01:55 PM
So I need to polish off my crystal ball before football season begins and I thought I'd predict the NBA playoffs being that Portland has made it for the first time in six years. Here are the predictions as I see them.
Western conference quarterfinals:
Utah Jazz (8) vs Los Angeles Lakers (1)---Jazz had a difficult time on the road and may have a tough time in this series as they will need to win at the Staples Center for any shot. Lakers do not need to win in Salt Lake City to take the series, but they will get at least one win. Lakers win 4-1.
Houston Rockets (5) vs Portland Trail Blazers (4)---This series will not be a thing of beauty as evident by their last game against each other in Houston a couple weeks ago. Brandon Roy won the only game in Portland on a last second 35 foot shot. Lately, though, Portland is a way different team at home. Blazers don't need to win in Houston to win the series. Blazers 4-3.
Dallas Mavericks (6) vs San Antonio Spurs (3)---The Spurs have shown to be old and ailing, limping into the playoffs. No Ginobli and a hobbled Duncan does not bode well for them. Dallas also has shown signs of slowing down, yet should still get the upset. Mavs 4-2.
New Orleans Hornets (7) vs Denver Nuggets (2)---Interesting matchup at the point guard between Billups and Paul. After that, both teams drop off. Sure the Nuggets have Anthony and Nene, but they also have not taken a quarterfinal series in six years. Hornets 4-3.
Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
Detroit Pistons (8) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (1)---Maybe on the verge of dismantling the great Piston team as 8th seed is not too inviting. Still they are the Pistons and are a dangerous team. Yet the Cavs have been virtually unstoppable and Williams has been the perfect compliment to James. Cavs 4-1.
Miami Heat (5) vs Atlanta Hawks (4)---Last year the Hawks had a coming out party of sorts, pushing the mighty Celtics to seven games. This year, home cooking is on the plate as Wade and Company come calling. Better times this year. Hawks 4-2.
Philadelphia 76ers (6) vs Orlando Magic (3)---Maybe a mismatch on paper, but the Magic are hobbled by injuries. Sure, Superman Howard is still in the middle, but Nelson is out. Sixers will give them fits, but in the end...Magic 4-3.
Chicago Bulls (7) vs Boston Celtics (2)---Bulls are an up and coming team in the NBA and rookie Rose got them there in his first season. The question is will Garnett play and how much. I say, does it really matter? Celtics 4-1.
Western Conference Semifinals.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Lakers---Another interesting matchup involving the old guard (Lakers) and the new kids (Blazers). Throughout their rebuilding years, the Blazers still maintained a mastery over the Lakers when they would play in Portland, a playoff series could be intriguing. Portland gets one win in Los Angeles could throw the whole playoff system out of whack. Leave it to the new kids. Blazers 4-2.
New Orleans Hornets vs Dallas Mavericks---Paul and Company meeting the Mavericks after upsetting the big wigs of the West (San Antonio and Denver). Paul should be able to take care of Kidd at the point, but the Mavs still have Nowitzki, and also have Terry coming off the bench. Mavs 4-2.
Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Atlanta Hawks vs Cleveland Cavaliers---Hawks are a pesky bunch but the Cavs are strong. James is on the verge of being probably the best player in the NBA and a strong march through the playoffs is just what he needs. Cavs win, but it won't be easy. Cavs 4-3.
Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics---Superman comes to Boston. Even without Garnett, Celtics should be able to take care of the Magic, as Superman will be missing more due to injuries than the Celtics. Celtics 4-2.
Western Conference Finals
Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers---So, if the Lakers can't stop Portland, who can? The Mavericks have had the Blazers number all year and are one of only three teams to sweep the Blazers during the regular season, inculding winning two games at Portland. Bad matchups for the Blazers lead to the Mavs moving on and the Blazers finally bowing out. Mavs 4-2.
Eastern Conference Finals
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers---The one matchup that the Celtics may have a tough time without Garnett. The Cavs are not just James but are a complete team and going up against another complete team in the Celtics made be just enough to get by. Cavs 4-2.
NBA Finals
Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers---After being the only survivor of the West, the Mavericks play the best team in the NBA. The Cavs should be able to show it off, too. The end is not really the best series. Cavs 4-1.
Western conference quarterfinals:
Utah Jazz (8) vs Los Angeles Lakers (1)---Jazz had a difficult time on the road and may have a tough time in this series as they will need to win at the Staples Center for any shot. Lakers do not need to win in Salt Lake City to take the series, but they will get at least one win. Lakers win 4-1.
Houston Rockets (5) vs Portland Trail Blazers (4)---This series will not be a thing of beauty as evident by their last game against each other in Houston a couple weeks ago. Brandon Roy won the only game in Portland on a last second 35 foot shot. Lately, though, Portland is a way different team at home. Blazers don't need to win in Houston to win the series. Blazers 4-3.
Dallas Mavericks (6) vs San Antonio Spurs (3)---The Spurs have shown to be old and ailing, limping into the playoffs. No Ginobli and a hobbled Duncan does not bode well for them. Dallas also has shown signs of slowing down, yet should still get the upset. Mavs 4-2.
New Orleans Hornets (7) vs Denver Nuggets (2)---Interesting matchup at the point guard between Billups and Paul. After that, both teams drop off. Sure the Nuggets have Anthony and Nene, but they also have not taken a quarterfinal series in six years. Hornets 4-3.
Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
Detroit Pistons (8) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (1)---Maybe on the verge of dismantling the great Piston team as 8th seed is not too inviting. Still they are the Pistons and are a dangerous team. Yet the Cavs have been virtually unstoppable and Williams has been the perfect compliment to James. Cavs 4-1.
Miami Heat (5) vs Atlanta Hawks (4)---Last year the Hawks had a coming out party of sorts, pushing the mighty Celtics to seven games. This year, home cooking is on the plate as Wade and Company come calling. Better times this year. Hawks 4-2.
Philadelphia 76ers (6) vs Orlando Magic (3)---Maybe a mismatch on paper, but the Magic are hobbled by injuries. Sure, Superman Howard is still in the middle, but Nelson is out. Sixers will give them fits, but in the end...Magic 4-3.
Chicago Bulls (7) vs Boston Celtics (2)---Bulls are an up and coming team in the NBA and rookie Rose got them there in his first season. The question is will Garnett play and how much. I say, does it really matter? Celtics 4-1.
Western Conference Semifinals.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Lakers---Another interesting matchup involving the old guard (Lakers) and the new kids (Blazers). Throughout their rebuilding years, the Blazers still maintained a mastery over the Lakers when they would play in Portland, a playoff series could be intriguing. Portland gets one win in Los Angeles could throw the whole playoff system out of whack. Leave it to the new kids. Blazers 4-2.
New Orleans Hornets vs Dallas Mavericks---Paul and Company meeting the Mavericks after upsetting the big wigs of the West (San Antonio and Denver). Paul should be able to take care of Kidd at the point, but the Mavs still have Nowitzki, and also have Terry coming off the bench. Mavs 4-2.
Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Atlanta Hawks vs Cleveland Cavaliers---Hawks are a pesky bunch but the Cavs are strong. James is on the verge of being probably the best player in the NBA and a strong march through the playoffs is just what he needs. Cavs win, but it won't be easy. Cavs 4-3.
Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics---Superman comes to Boston. Even without Garnett, Celtics should be able to take care of the Magic, as Superman will be missing more due to injuries than the Celtics. Celtics 4-2.
Western Conference Finals
Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers---So, if the Lakers can't stop Portland, who can? The Mavericks have had the Blazers number all year and are one of only three teams to sweep the Blazers during the regular season, inculding winning two games at Portland. Bad matchups for the Blazers lead to the Mavs moving on and the Blazers finally bowing out. Mavs 4-2.
Eastern Conference Finals
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers---The one matchup that the Celtics may have a tough time without Garnett. The Cavs are not just James but are a complete team and going up against another complete team in the Celtics made be just enough to get by. Cavs 4-2.
NBA Finals
Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers---After being the only survivor of the West, the Mavericks play the best team in the NBA. The Cavs should be able to show it off, too. The end is not really the best series. Cavs 4-1.