vnodnarb
05-03-2008, 01:39 AM
2nd Round Matchups
By Brandon Van Hoesen <o></o><st1:city w:st="on"></st1:city><st1><st1:city w:st="on"></st1:city></st1>
WESTERN CONFERENCE:<o></o>
<st1:city w:st="on">L.A.</st1:city> Lakers (1) vs. <st1><st1:state w:st="on">Utah</st1:state></st1> (4)
The focus of this series has to be who guards <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Kobe</st1></st1:city>? I’d imagine AK47 will get the bulk of the time covering The Mamba. Sounds like trouble to me. Boozer and Williams should be able to get theirs on the offensive end as Gasol isn’t strong enough for Boozer and the only good matchup for Deron is <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Kobe</st1></st1:city> and I don’t see the Lakers doing that. How do the Jazz get Korver on the court? Who does he guard? I have to go with the Lakers here as they have the best player on the court, homecourt advantage and are playing better ball than any team in the league. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1>Utah</st1></st1:state> is really tough at home so they should be able to get a couple wins and keep the series competitive. At least we know <st1:state w:st="on">Utah</st1:state> will show up and not quit if they fall behind unlike <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Denver</st1></st1:city>’s selfish squad, but what do you expect from a team whose "superstar" picks up a DUI a few days before the playoffs begin. I'm really surprised George Karl isn't the one with the drinking problem after coaching that underachieving crew for two years.
Prediction: Lakers in 6.
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<st1:city w:st="on">New Orleans</st1:city> (2) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">San Antonio</st1:city></st1> (3)
There has been a change of the guards in top NBA point guards. MVP candidate Chris Paul just dominated the Jason Kidd and led his team to an easy series victory against the Mavs. As good as CP3 was, Tony Parker may have been better against the Suns. He ran the pick and roll to death and exploited the Sun’s having Shaq the Anchor on the floor. He also clearly outplayed two time MVP Steve Nash. <st1:city w:st="on">Chandler</st1:city> is good matchup for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Duncan</st1></st1:city> with his length and athleticism, I’m not sure he can stay out of foul trouble though. Peja and Manu pose an interesting European matchup with one being mainly a shooter and the other a slasher. David West and Michael Finley are the two wildcards in my opinion. The Spurs simply can’t keep relying so much on the Big Three. And the Hornets need West to score with the Spurs being smart enough to take the ball out of Paul’s hands. Overall, I think Manu will be the difference as the Hornets don’t have anyone who can guard him.
Prediction: Spurs in 6.<o></o>
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EASTERN CONFERENCE:<o></o>
<st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city> (1) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Cleveland</st1:city></st1> (4)
Sorry Hawks fans, Game 7 is going to the Celtics. I really see this as a very frustrating series for Lebron. As good as he is, he just doesn’t have the supporting cast to match the talent of the Celtics. Also, the Celtics play outstanding defense and will make Delonte West and Daniel Gibson beat them. By the way, how slow has Wally Szczerbiak gotten? He looks like Brian McCann out there. The Hawks were actually a better matchup than the Celtics with three strong offensive options in Smith, Horford, and Johnson. The Cavs really just have Lebron and then pray their spot up shooters are on. Big Z is a decent option but he will be negated by KG’s strong defense. I expect Pierce to have a big series after having a pretty lackluster one versus the Hawks. Also, KG needs to be more assertive on the offensive end, he is talented enough to take over games but is just way too unselfish.
Prediction: Celtics in 5.
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Detriot (2) vs. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Orlando</st1> </st1:city>(3)
This series will be a rematch from their 1<sup>st</sup> round matchup from last season where the Pistons swept the Magic. I don’t see it being nearly that easy this time around. The Magic have added a year of experience, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkoglu. I do think the Pistons eke out this series though as they have a lot of big bodies to throw at Wilt Jr. and still have that extra gear that few teams have. The Magic will have to knock down their open jumpshots. Speaking of which, what’s the over/under on minutes for the series for J.J. Redick, 10, 20? Vbookie anyone? The Pistons will inevitably mail in a game or two and don’t be surprised if it’s Game 1 which starts less than 48 hours from their Game 6 win over Philly. I think their experience will help them in crunch time against the younger Magic who aren’t as playoff tested and that propels them to their 6<sup>th</sup> consecutive Eastern Conference Finals.
Prediction: Pistons in 7.
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Playoff Predictions: 7-1<o></o>
By Brandon Van Hoesen <o></o><st1:city w:st="on"></st1:city><st1><st1:city w:st="on"></st1:city></st1>
WESTERN CONFERENCE:<o></o>
<st1:city w:st="on">L.A.</st1:city> Lakers (1) vs. <st1><st1:state w:st="on">Utah</st1:state></st1> (4)
The focus of this series has to be who guards <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Kobe</st1></st1:city>? I’d imagine AK47 will get the bulk of the time covering The Mamba. Sounds like trouble to me. Boozer and Williams should be able to get theirs on the offensive end as Gasol isn’t strong enough for Boozer and the only good matchup for Deron is <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Kobe</st1></st1:city> and I don’t see the Lakers doing that. How do the Jazz get Korver on the court? Who does he guard? I have to go with the Lakers here as they have the best player on the court, homecourt advantage and are playing better ball than any team in the league. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1>Utah</st1></st1:state> is really tough at home so they should be able to get a couple wins and keep the series competitive. At least we know <st1:state w:st="on">Utah</st1:state> will show up and not quit if they fall behind unlike <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Denver</st1></st1:city>’s selfish squad, but what do you expect from a team whose "superstar" picks up a DUI a few days before the playoffs begin. I'm really surprised George Karl isn't the one with the drinking problem after coaching that underachieving crew for two years.
Prediction: Lakers in 6.
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<st1:city w:st="on">New Orleans</st1:city> (2) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">San Antonio</st1:city></st1> (3)
There has been a change of the guards in top NBA point guards. MVP candidate Chris Paul just dominated the Jason Kidd and led his team to an easy series victory against the Mavs. As good as CP3 was, Tony Parker may have been better against the Suns. He ran the pick and roll to death and exploited the Sun’s having Shaq the Anchor on the floor. He also clearly outplayed two time MVP Steve Nash. <st1:city w:st="on">Chandler</st1:city> is good matchup for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Duncan</st1></st1:city> with his length and athleticism, I’m not sure he can stay out of foul trouble though. Peja and Manu pose an interesting European matchup with one being mainly a shooter and the other a slasher. David West and Michael Finley are the two wildcards in my opinion. The Spurs simply can’t keep relying so much on the Big Three. And the Hornets need West to score with the Spurs being smart enough to take the ball out of Paul’s hands. Overall, I think Manu will be the difference as the Hornets don’t have anyone who can guard him.
Prediction: Spurs in 6.<o></o>
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EASTERN CONFERENCE:<o></o>
<st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city> (1) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Cleveland</st1:city></st1> (4)
Sorry Hawks fans, Game 7 is going to the Celtics. I really see this as a very frustrating series for Lebron. As good as he is, he just doesn’t have the supporting cast to match the talent of the Celtics. Also, the Celtics play outstanding defense and will make Delonte West and Daniel Gibson beat them. By the way, how slow has Wally Szczerbiak gotten? He looks like Brian McCann out there. The Hawks were actually a better matchup than the Celtics with three strong offensive options in Smith, Horford, and Johnson. The Cavs really just have Lebron and then pray their spot up shooters are on. Big Z is a decent option but he will be negated by KG’s strong defense. I expect Pierce to have a big series after having a pretty lackluster one versus the Hawks. Also, KG needs to be more assertive on the offensive end, he is talented enough to take over games but is just way too unselfish.
Prediction: Celtics in 5.
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Detriot (2) vs. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Orlando</st1> </st1:city>(3)
This series will be a rematch from their 1<sup>st</sup> round matchup from last season where the Pistons swept the Magic. I don’t see it being nearly that easy this time around. The Magic have added a year of experience, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkoglu. I do think the Pistons eke out this series though as they have a lot of big bodies to throw at Wilt Jr. and still have that extra gear that few teams have. The Magic will have to knock down their open jumpshots. Speaking of which, what’s the over/under on minutes for the series for J.J. Redick, 10, 20? Vbookie anyone? The Pistons will inevitably mail in a game or two and don’t be surprised if it’s Game 1 which starts less than 48 hours from their Game 6 win over Philly. I think their experience will help them in crunch time against the younger Magic who aren’t as playoff tested and that propels them to their 6<sup>th</sup> consecutive Eastern Conference Finals.
Prediction: Pistons in 7.
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Playoff Predictions: 7-1<o></o>