ItsTheBlog™

So, it's been a while. But I'm trying to make a little comeback. With the NBA playoffs starting tomorrow, I figured a prediction post would be in good taste. I'll go series by series, and we'll see how I can do.

Eastern Conference

First Round

1. Celtics vs. 8. Hawks:
KG, Pierce, Allen, and Co. exhibited their dominance all season long. But the most impressive part wasn't the 27-3 record by New Years Day, it wasn't having only 5 losses all season to the deep Western Conference, it wasn't even their 35-6 home record. It was the fact that they sustained their ridiculous play in the months of March and April with the Big Three getting limited minutes and KG injured for much of it. These guys are for real. Scary.
Celtics in 4

4. Cavaliers vs. 5. Wizards:
This is definitely the most intriguing series of the Eastern Conference. Any team with LeBron has to be a favorite, but the Wizards proved to a lot of people that they can play this season--even with Arenas out. Now that Gilbert's back--albeit not at full strength--the teams will be battling for the chance to face the Big Bad Celtics in round 2. Home court advantage and a weak Arenas could be good news for the Cavs.
Cavs in 7

3. Magic vs. Raptors
Orlando showed a lot of people that they are for real this season, coasting to the Southeast's Division's best record and solidifying themselves as the consensus 3rd best team in the East. Hedo Turkoglu deserves consideration (if not the award) for Most Improved, and Dwight Howard isn't too far away from MVP consideration. The NBA's only Canadian team also showed it could play, but struggled down the stretch to finish 41-41. Even All-Star Chris Bosh said he's not confident in his team. Jose Calderon kept them afloat for a while, though, and they'll give the Magic a challenge. Not much of one, though.
Magic in 6

2. Pistons vs. 7. 76ers
Frankly, I'm surprised that the Sixers got this far. Iguoudala and Andre Miller are good, but these guys have benefitted hugely from the fact that the Eastern Conference is pretty darn weak. Detroit is a defensive beast and finished with the 2nd best record in the league. Philly will get one on their home court, but no more.
Pistons in 5

Second Round

1. Celtics vs. 4. Cavaliers
This is going to be a fantastic series. LeBron will be able to sit back and watch and learn as the veteran Celtics knock off the defending Eastern Conference champions. No doubt LeBron will put up a fight, but I just don't see these Celtics losing quite yet.
Celtics in 5

3. Magic vs. 2. Pistons
Hard to pick the Magic to lose, but they'll be facing a tough team with a load of experience in this one.
Pistons in 6

Conference Finals
1. Celtics vs. 2. Pistons
Veteran Big Three vs. the experienced defensive stalwarts. As good as the Big Three are though, this will be a huge test, as none of them have ever gotten past the conference finals in their careers. Unfortunately, I don't see it mattering, but this will be one hell of a series.
Celtics in 7

Western Conference

First Round
1. Lakers vs. 8. Nuggets
If there's a weak link in the Western Conference playoffs, the Lakers are fortunate to see it in the first round. Don't get me wrong, the Nuggets are the best #8 seed in NBA Playoff history (50 wins!), but when you talk about the best teams in the league, they simply don't make the discussion. Iverson, Carmelo, and crew will give the inexperienced Lakers some trouble, but not much. The Lakers are hot right now and still rolling.
Lakers in 5

4. Jazz vs. 5 Rockets
I'd like to let the Rockets 22-game winning streak about a month ago play into this discussion, but it just doesn't. T-Mac just can't seem to get past the first round in his career, and, without Yao this season, I don't see it happenening. Not to mention that Utah holds a league-best 37-4 record at home and holding home court advantage ought to help. Another first round exit for Houston is my opinion.
Jazz in 6

3. Spurs vs. 6 Suns
This is going to be my favorite matchup to watch in the first round of these playoffs. Phoenix's trade for Shaq was built to battle Tim Duncan and the defensive minded Spurs, and as the season winded down, the team seemed to gel, winning 8 of its last 11. The Spurs, on the other hand, have been struggling, and Manu Ginobili is just coming back from an injury, so his effectiveness will certainly be in question. Dare I suggest the defending champs losing in round 1? Dare to be bold.
Suns in 7

2. Hornets vs. 7. Mavericks
Pre-season, if you would have told me that the first round 2-7 matchup would be Mavs/Hornets, I would have certainly believed you. But I would have laughed if you would have suggested that the Hornets would be in the 2 slot. Yet, here we are, as Dallas finished a full 5 games behind the division champion Hornets. Chris Paul became a top MVP candidate, Tyson Chandler showed his defensive prowess, and guys like David West and Peja Stojakovic showed themselves plenty capable this season. On the other hand, the Mavs brought in Jason Kidd, but if he's helped them is up for debate. Dirk's playoff choking abilities may happen in the first round again, after the disappointing loss last season to the Warriors as the #1 seed.
Hornets in 7

Second Round

1. Lakers vs. 4. Jazz
These teams haven't met since December, so previous matchups don't mean much as a lot of things have changed. Home-court advantage will certainly help the Lakers, especially considering that Utah stellar home record I mentioned before. I'm going with the optimistic Laker fan pick on this one.
Lakers in 6

6. Suns vs. 2. Hornets
A fantastic battle of point guards in Nash vs. Paul. These two teams match styles with the run and gun game, and now the post-up battle in Shaq vs. Chandler. It's a good thing Shaq's old and Chandler can play defense.
Hornets in 7

Conference Finals
1. Lakers vs. 2. Hornets
In the battle for the MVP about a week ago, Kobe won. Both teams are inexperienced, but Kobe is the X-factor. He has been to the top, and he wants it too badly and is finally surrounded by a good enough supporting cast to let the Hornets knock him off his pedestal.
Lakers in 6

NBA FINALS
Lakers vs. Celtics
What a fantastic series this would be to watch and to re-live the glory days. The Celtics knocked the Lakers off twice in the regular season, but that was pre Pau Gasol. Garnett's a beast and will manhandle the Lakers, but if the rest of the squad can hold the Celtics in check, it could make for an interesting series. Call me crazy and incredibly optimistic, but I wouldn't be a true Laker fan unless I believed.
Lakers in 7 in the Garden in one of the best NBA Finals series in my lifetime.

Labels: basketball, Boston Celtics, Kevdog, Lakers, NBA, playoffs, predictions