by sevEN » Sat Apr 19, 2014 3:53 pm
EAST
(1) Pacers > (8) Hawks - Pacers in 4. Pacers showing a lot of weakness since the granger trade, but they should have no problems sweeping the hawks. this should be a good warm up series for hibbert and george to get back on track because both have played very poorly as of late.
(2) Heat > (7) Bobcats - Heat in 4. I just don't see the heat losing to a team such as the bobcats come playoff time. Plus, does anyone remember what james already did to the bobcats about a month ago? this series will be ugly, as will the first 2 rounds of the east playoffs.
(3) Raptors > (6) Nets - Raptors in 7. experience vs. youth. the nets have have a very strong YTD record, and i expect paul pierce to be playing and shooting his best in the playoffs, but the raptors run the court with the best of them and the nets have nobody who can keep up for a full series. But, the raptors have very little playoff experience and the nets will push them to the limit with their experience and with joe johnson being one of the most clutch players in the entire game. raptors better hope it's not close in the final minutes of the 4th or i don't see them winning said game.
(4) Bulls vs > (5)Wizards - bulls in 5. John Wall and Bradley Beal have FINALLY done something with their combined talents, and that's make the playoffs. unfortunately for them, they are playing a very tough team that is battle tested and one of the best defenses in the NBA. not to mention, noah has created a whole new point-center position that has him distributing the ball, running the offense, and a lot of teams don't know how to stop it. i don't see the wizards making much of an impact here beyond taking one game at home a very tough bulls team.
WEST
(1) Spurs vs (8) Mavericks - Spurs in 5. I love this texas rivalry match up. it is hard to believe that this is a round 1 match up considering the recent history and success of both teams. for the mavs, dirk has played a ridiculous season, coming very close to the 50/40/90 numbers and carrying the mavs into the bottom of the tournament (but when is he not carrying the mavs? lol). donte ellis has had an excellent season as well both in the clutch and as the point man in the offense. that being said, there is just a feeling that the mavs would have to play out of their minds to beat the spurs. and the spurs, well, they just show up, turn the machine on and it runs on auto pilot. you know what you're going to get which is incredible and unselfish ball movement until you have the most wide open man taking an easy shot. dirk will most definitely get his, but i don't think the mavs have the kind of disciplined defense you need to contain the spurs sound and fundamental offense.
(2) Thunder > (7) Grizzlies - Thunder in 6. Grizzlies are playing great basketball, but the thunder are playing better basketball. also, the thunder match up really well with the grizzlies personnel wise. you will see a lot of perkins and ibaka in the paint this series, where as normally you would see perkins start the game and then soon leave and not play much the rest of each half. but they will play him a lot more to body up z-bo and gasol inside the paint. and on the outside, i don't see anybody on the grizzlies being able to cover durant. tony allen is getting up there in years and courtney lee is the only other one who has the physical presence to even kidn of match up with durant.
(3) Clippers < (6) Warriors - Clippers in 6. this is my favorite series of round 1, on either side. i actually went to one of the earlier clippers vs warrios games this season in a wells fargo staples center box suit, where CP3 went off for 45-15 and won the game. incredible match up. and i think the clippers have gained the playoff experienced needed last season, and also the experience without paul early this season, and are ready to make a jump in this year's playoffs. also, i feel like the warriors live and die by the jump shot and pick and roll. no real offense to speak of. and when the jump shots are falling, it looks great. but i just hate depending on an offense that relies too heavily on jump shots because even the warriors can go cold at any moment. there needs to be some kind of structure where you can manufacture points through plays and passing the ball around. also, bogut being hurt is a HUGE HUGE problem, ESPECIALLY considering the match up. DeAndre Jordan is going to have a field day in the paint all series, and so is blake. although i will go on record saying that i am a HUGE andre igudala fan (2nd favorite player) and i am pulling for the warriors.
(4) Rockets > (5) Trail Blazers - Rockets in 6. the trail blazers peaked way way too soon this season, similar to the pacers. steady wins the race. they are heading into the playoffs playing rather poorly over the past 2-3 months, but i admit that on a much smaller time frame they are playing better as of very recently. but i am still worried about the momentum since the rockets have been steadily playing better and better ball heading into the playoffs. dwight is quietly having an excellent season and the beard is scoring and getting to the white line at will. also, rockets role players are playing very solid lately also. now, lillard and aldridge will give the rockets problems, but only enough problems that they take a couple games while the rockets are dozing off.
EAST
(1) Pacers > (8) Hawks - Pacers in 4. Pacers showing a lot of weakness since the granger trade, but they should have no problems sweeping the hawks. this should be a good warm up series for hibbert and george to get back on track because both have played very poorly as of late.
(2) Heat > (7) Bobcats - Heat in 4. I just don't see the heat losing to a team such as the bobcats come playoff time. Plus, does anyone remember what james already did to the bobcats about a month ago? this series will be ugly, as will the first 2 rounds of the east playoffs.
(3) Raptors > (6) Nets - Raptors in 7. experience vs. youth. the nets have have a very strong YTD record, and i expect paul pierce to be playing and shooting his best in the playoffs, but the raptors run the court with the best of them and the nets have nobody who can keep up for a full series. But, the raptors have very little playoff experience and the nets will push them to the limit with their experience and with joe johnson being one of the most clutch players in the entire game. raptors better hope it's not close in the final minutes of the 4th or i don't see them winning said game.
(4) Bulls vs > (5)Wizards - bulls in 5. John Wall and Bradley Beal have FINALLY done something with their combined talents, and that's make the playoffs. unfortunately for them, they are playing a very tough team that is battle tested and one of the best defenses in the NBA. not to mention, noah has created a whole new point-center position that has him distributing the ball, running the offense, and a lot of teams don't know how to stop it. i don't see the wizards making much of an impact here beyond taking one game at home a very tough bulls team.
WEST
(1) Spurs vs (8) Mavericks - Spurs in 5. I love this texas rivalry match up. it is hard to believe that this is a round 1 match up considering the recent history and success of both teams. for the mavs, dirk has played a ridiculous season, coming very close to the 50/40/90 numbers and carrying the mavs into the bottom of the tournament (but when is he not carrying the mavs? lol). donte ellis has had an excellent season as well both in the clutch and as the point man in the offense. that being said, there is just a feeling that the mavs would have to play out of their minds to beat the spurs. and the spurs, well, they just show up, turn the machine on and it runs on auto pilot. you know what you're going to get which is incredible and unselfish ball movement until you have the most wide open man taking an easy shot. dirk will most definitely get his, but i don't think the mavs have the kind of disciplined defense you need to contain the spurs sound and fundamental offense.
(2) Thunder > (7) Grizzlies - Thunder in 6. Grizzlies are playing great basketball, but the thunder are playing better basketball. also, the thunder match up really well with the grizzlies personnel wise. you will see a lot of perkins and ibaka in the paint this series, where as normally you would see perkins start the game and then soon leave and not play much the rest of each half. but they will play him a lot more to body up z-bo and gasol inside the paint. and on the outside, i don't see anybody on the grizzlies being able to cover durant. tony allen is getting up there in years and courtney lee is the only other one who has the physical presence to even kidn of match up with durant.
(3) Clippers < (6) Warriors - Clippers in 6. this is my favorite series of round 1, on either side. i actually went to one of the earlier clippers vs warrios games this season in a wells fargo staples center box suit, where CP3 went off for 45-15 and won the game. incredible match up. and i think the clippers have gained the playoff experienced needed last season, and also the experience without paul early this season, and are ready to make a jump in this year's playoffs. also, i feel like the warriors live and die by the jump shot and pick and roll. no real offense to speak of. and when the jump shots are falling, it looks great. but i just hate depending on an offense that relies too heavily on jump shots because even the warriors can go cold at any moment. there needs to be some kind of structure where you can manufacture points through plays and passing the ball around. also, bogut being hurt is a HUGE HUGE problem, ESPECIALLY considering the match up. DeAndre Jordan is going to have a field day in the paint all series, and so is blake. although i will go on record saying that i am a HUGE andre igudala fan (2nd favorite player) and i am pulling for the warriors.
(4) Rockets > (5) Trail Blazers - Rockets in 6. the trail blazers peaked way way too soon this season, similar to the pacers. steady wins the race. they are heading into the playoffs playing rather poorly over the past 2-3 months, but i admit that on a much smaller time frame they are playing better as of very recently. but i am still worried about the momentum since the rockets have been steadily playing better and better ball heading into the playoffs. dwight is quietly having an excellent season and the beard is scoring and getting to the white line at will. also, rockets role players are playing very solid lately also. now, lillard and aldridge will give the rockets problems, but only enough problems that they take a couple games while the rockets are dozing off.