NBA playoff preview
So after a frantic regular season that’s seen each team play 66 games in 124 days, the first round of the NBA playoffs are upon us and, if the post-season is anywhere near as hectic as the regular, we’re in store for an action packed two months.
With the first round set to tip off on Saturday, lets take a look at the matchups we’ve got in store…
(1) Chicago Bulls v Philadelphia 76ers (8)
Kicking off the party on Saturday, the Sixers head to the United Centre to face the Bulls. Stocked with an arsenal of weapons, including the reigning MVP, Chicago has a lot to look forward to this year.
Following last season’s playoff defeat to Miami in the Eastern Conference finals, Tom Thibodeau’s side have set the best record in the league for the second season running, with a 50-16 mark.
The one concern for Bulls fans will be the health of their superstar, Derrick Rose. Missing large chunks of the season through sprained toes, groins, ankles and other injuries, this Bulls side have pulled together in his absence but, if they come up against the big three of Miami, without a fully fit Rose, the Bulls could come unstuck.
For the Sixers, meanwhile, they are coming into the first round in good momentum following four wins from their final five games. Doug Collins though will have to instil a level of consistency into his side that started the season 20-9 before a disappointing second half that lead to a 35-31 record.
If Rose’s ankle is not 100% by the time these to sides square up on Saturday, anything can happen.
My prediction, for what its worth, is Chicago in five.
(2) Miami Heat v New York Knicks (7)
It seems like we’ve been waiting for this matchup for far too long. With Carmelo and LeBron in the most dominating form of their careers, neither side is set to have an easy ride.
For Miami, the big three have got to turn up. While LBJ, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh have been doing it all season, we all know what happened during last years finals, not to mention the little problem LeBron has with clutch shots.
The Heat’s bench, meanwhile, is far from strong and with insecurities at the point guard position as well as at centre, Erik Spoelstra’s side will certainly have weaknesses the Knicks can expose.
In New York though, since the arrival of Mike Woodson things have been looking up. Defensively they have turned a corner with Tyson Chandler back to his commanding self, whilst the improvement of Iman Shumpert and addition of J.R. Smith have bolstered a squad already loaded with talent.
Offensively things aren’t so sweet. Often stagnant, the longer the ball is in ‘Melo’s hands the harder the offense becomes. Regular turnovers are still an issue as well and they won’t help against a side who can kill you with fast-break buckets alone.
While the Knicks are looking far stronger than they were two months ago, the Heat are still too good. With LeBron dominating teams like he has so far this season and with a Miami side desperate to make it back to the finals there can only see one winner.
My prediction, Miami in six.
(3) Indiana Pacers v Orlando Magic (6)
No Howard = No series. That’s what the opinion seems to be surrounding this series.
With Dwight Howard ruled out of this season’s playoffs altogether following surgery on a herniated disk in his back last week, Orlando don’t appear to have much hope.
Ryan Andersen and Glen ‘baby’ Davis will be the inside guys for the Magic but with the Pacers’ big-man threat of Roy Hibbert, there will only be one, 7-foot-2 winner.
J.J. Redick will likely struggle to defend Paul George and Jameer Nelson won’t have an easy time dealing with George Hill on the pick and rolls. Never mind the problems missing Howard has on the Orlando offense.
Looking to move onto the second round for the first time since 2005, the Pacers are odds on to wrap it up quickly. Heading into the series as one of the hottest teams in the league, against a one-man team without that man, how can they fail to win?
My prediction, Pacers in four.
(4) Atlanta Hawks v Boston Celtics (5)
Probably the most even tie in the first round and what a matchup it looks set to be.
At the half way point of this season things were not looking good for the Boston Celtics. With a 15-18 record, countless trade rumours and a core group of players all reaching the final hurdle of their career, it was hard to put a positive swing on anything.
Since then, a lot has changed. With the big four mostly fit and effective their title challenge has been given another lifeline. It is the improved play of Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass though that has shot life back into the Celtics and they will have to continue that into the playoff if the Celtics are to have any success.
The Hawks, meanwhile, are back again but this time with home-court advantage. With the usual threat of Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Jeff Teague (minus Al Horford through injury), Atlanta’s athleticism will be the biggest issue for Doc River’s aging Celtics.
Following their last playoff meeting with Boston in 2008, in which the Celtics won four times at home, it is the addition of the home court advantage that the Hawks are most satisfied with.
“It’s real big,” said the Hawks Josh Smith. “We experienced that when we made the playoffs five years ago and we had to play against a rowdy crowd in Boston. Having home-court advantage is definitely key.”
Whether or not it will be enough to overcome a Boston side fighting for one last shot at a ring will be the question on people’s lips until then.
My prediction, it’ll be the Celtics in seven.
(1) San Antonio Spurs v Utah Jazz (8)
This one looks set to be an open and close case. The number one team in the Western Conference, Spurs are going up against the eighth seeded Jazz who only qualified for the playoffs last week.
With Manu Ginobili getting back to his top form, the addition of Stephen Jackson the day before trade deadline and a fit and healthy Tim Duncan, things couldn’t be better for the Spurs.
Claiming the Southwest Division title for the second season in a row by a dominating margin, they also enter the playoffs under Gregg Popovich for the fifteenth straight year. As they say… consistency breeds success, and no one knows that better than the Spurs.
For Utah though they have a big task ahead. Having lost six of their last seven games against San Antonio they know they have problems. You may, however, draw comparisons with this Jazz team to last years Memphis team that knocked the Spurs out in the first round.
This Jazz side aren’t nearly as good defensively as the Grizzlies were last year though and with San Antonio improving since then, all predictions outside of Utah are for a gentleman’s sweep.
My prediction, the Spurs in five.
(2) Oklahoma City Thunder v Dallas Mavericks (7)
After James Harden was knocked to the floor against the Lakers last Sunday the whole of Oklahoma held their breath. You see, the difference between Oklahoma and Dallas or even L.A. or San Antonio is James Harden.
Following an outstanding year that should see him collect the sixth man of the year award (as well as deserving of the most improved award) Harden has surprised near enough everyone.
Steadying Russell Westbrook’s eccentric play as well as offering an outside threat that blends effortlessly with Kevin Durant’s game, OKC are set.
Throw in a contender for defensive player of the year (Serge Ibaka) and a 6-foot-10 centre (Kendrick Perkins) its going to be hard for anyone going up against them in this years playoffs.
Dallas, meanwhile, are the reigning champs. They’re far from the same team though. The loss of J.J. Berea, DeShawn Stevenson and, most importantly, Tyson Chandler has hurt them.
Without the commanding presence of Chandler inside, Westbrook and Durant will have much easier access to the paint and with the unreliable Brandan Wright and Brendan Haywood inside, OKC could make it ugly.
Dallas are the reigning champs though and not enough can be said of that. They’ve been there, done that and got the t-shirt (literally) and knowing how it’s done is invaluable. Whether they have the motivation to get it done though is a different question.
My prediction, OKC in six.
(3) Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets (6)
So the title is going to be between OKC, Spurs, Miami or Chicago, right? Wrong, according to Kobe Bryant. In an interview on Wednesday, the black mamba said the Lakers should “absolutely” “expect” to win a championship this season.
With the most lethal big-man combination in the league, with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, the Lakers already have quality. The addition of Ramon Sessions on trade deadline day has added an extra element to LA’s game and needless to say, the most successful player in the league today will be looking to add a sixth ring to his collection.
The Nuggets are certainly in with a chance though. With eight wins from their last ten games they have showed good chemistry and if Denver are able to get out in transition and keep the tempo high throughout the series they have a really good shot.
The stats don’t bode well though for the Nuggets. Winning only one of their four head-to-heads in the season series and having never beaten the Lakers in the playoffs after five attempts, the job is a tough one.
My prediction, the Lakers in six.
(4) Memphis Grizzlies v Los Angeles Clipper (5)
This is likely to be one of the most enjoyable series’ of the first round, with two physical teams going head-to-head, stocked with physical talent, it’s bound to be explosive.
Memphis have come back this season a better side. Following their first ever playoff series win last year against the Spurs, they have captured the fourth seed in the West and have home-court advantage for the first time ever.
Their main area of concern will be the defensive ability to deal with the pick and role though. Tony Allen and Mike Conley will have to step it up defensively if they are to stop Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and lob city.
The Clippers, as they have all season, will be relying on CP3. The heart of this team, Paul will have to be at his very best if they want a shot at advancing.
Rather than just relying on the arsenal of talent within the team, CP3 will have to be scoring, assisting, getting the offence working and play at all-round MVP level.
Reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2006, with a terrible road record for a highly seeded team (16-17) and no home-court advantage against the Grizzlies this series should go to Memphis. However, who’d have thought CP3 would be leading the Clippers to the playoffs this time least season?
My prediction, Memphis in seven.
