vnodnarb
04-17-2008, 11:14 PM
1st Round Matchups
By Brandon Van Hoesen
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
<o></o>
<st1:city w:st="on">L.A.</st1:city> Lakers (1) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Denver</st1:city></st1> (8)
Iverson, Melo, Camby, J.R. Smith, K. Martin. Great team, right? Not so much. The Nuggets have been a strong home team, but a poor road team. Outside of Camby, the Nuggets are simply allergic to defense. Still you never know what Allen Iverson has up his sleeve (think Game 1 of the 2002 NBA Finals). <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1> and the Lakers will be too much for the talented, but unpolished Nuggets. Defense wins championships.
Prediction: Lakers in 5.
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<o></o>
<st1:city w:st="on">New Orleans</st1:city> (2) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Dallas</st1:city></st1> (7)
The Mavs went from the #1 seed to squeaking into the playoffs with the #7 seed and their roster is better this year with the addition of Kidd. This should be a great series. CP3 (my MVP), David West, and Tyson Chandler have had great seasons and the Mavs have played better of late after taking some time to adjust to Kidd. It’s going to be interesting to see if Dirk matches up with Peja. The Mavs have the more talented roster with Howard, Dirk, and Kidd all being big time stars. The Hornets on the other hand have flown under the radar outside of Paul. I think the Mavs spring the upset for two main reasons; they have a lot more playoff experience and they are hungry after getting embarrassed last year against the 8 seeded Warriors as well as being ignored this season.
Prediction: Mavs in 7.<o></o>
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
<st1:city w:st="on">
San Antonio</st1:city> (3) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:city></st1> (6)
You know the West is loaded when these two, the best two teams in the league last year, face off in the 1<sup>st</sup> round. Both teams are very capable championship contenders. I can't say I was a fan of the Shaq-Matrix swap, but it does help them against the Spurs as Shaq can give Tim Duncan a lot of trouble and Amare couldn’t. I actually made that point at the time of the trade when trying to rationalize it. I think Ginobili will be the difference maker in this series as he has played out of his mind this year especially in clutch situations. According to 82games.com in "clutch" situations, he shot 57 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3 and 93 percent from the foul line. In "super-clutch" situations, he was the 3<sup>rd</sup> best scorer behind LeBron and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Kobe</st1></st1:city> and shot a jaw-dropping 62 percent from the field. I’m betting the Suns make sure to keep Robert Horry away from Steve Nash in the closing moments of a Suns W, but I think the Spurs are still a hair better.
Prediction: Spurs in 7.<o></o>
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
<st1:state w:st="on">
Utah</st1:state> (4) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Houston</st1:city></st1> (5)
Here’s a trip down memory lane…..McGrady was quoted as saying that how wonderful it was to "finally be in the second round". Orlando, however, lost Games 5, 6, and 7 by an average of more than 20 points McGrady will have to wait another year to get out of the first round for the FIRST TIME. The Jazz are nearly unbeatable at home (34-4), Deron has made the Leap, and Boozer is a dominant power forward. The Rockets had a fine regular season and an other worldly 22 game winning streak (15 without <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Yao</st1></st1:city>), but this is where the road stops. Deron Williams versus Skip to My Lou is just embarrassing. The Rockets just won’t have enough firepower to overcome the better team in a 7 game series. Sorry cjones.
Prediction: Jazz in 5.<o></o>
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
EASTERN CONFERENCE
<o></o>
<st1:city w:st="on">BOSTON</st1:city> (1) vs. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>ATLANTA</st1> </st1:city>(8)
Sorry Hawks fans, this one is pretty simple. Winning Percentage? Celtics by 36%. Backcourt? Celtics. Frontcourt? Celtics. Bench? Celtics. Experience? Celtics. Sweep? Check.
Prediction: Celtics in 4.
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
Detriot (2) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Philadelphia</st1:city></st1> (7)
A lot of people wanted the Pistons to break up their team and re-build after the loss to the Cavs. Fortunately, they have one of the few good NBA GM’s in Joe Dumars and he chose the right option to stick with what he had, which makes much more sense in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers have exceeded expectations as well including a streak where they won 19 wins of 24. Andre Iguodala has stepped up and earned the AI moniker. In addition, Samuel Dalembert is developing into a good young big man. Not this year though, the Pistons are just too good, but don’t be surprised if they mail in a game, they are known for it.
Prediction: Pistons in 5.
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
<st1:city w:st="on">
Orlando</st1:city> (3) vs. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Toronto</st1></st1:city> (6)
In the battle of teams that traded away Tracy McGrady, I give the Magic the slight advantage. Superman, Hedo the Hobbit, and the $110 million man should be able to pull this one out. Look for some monster 20-20 nights from Dwight Howard throughout this series. It’ll be interesting to see if Bosh can match his gaudy numbers. Bosh is still one of the most underrated players in the league, but that’s what happens when you play in hockey land. I think the Raptors are better than people think though and will push it to at least 6 and possibly 7. Calderon has done a terrific job replacing T.J. Ford as the starter and Bosh is a very tough matchup for Lewis or Hedo.
Prediction: Magic in 7.
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
<st1:city w:st="on">
Cleveland</st1:city> (4) vs. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1>Washington</st1></st1:state> (5)<o></o>
This is turning into one of the league's best rivalries. This will be the 3rd straight time these two teams have squared off in the opening round. I think it was a terrible idea for Arenas to call out Lebron and the Cavs saying they wanted to face them. Do you really want to piss off the best player in the league? It’ll be interesting to see how shoot first Arenas plays even though he isn’t back at 100% and if he will defer to a better player right now in….gasp…Antawn Jamison. It’s true, he just finished off a 21 and 10 season. This series is definitely the one to watch in the East. <o></o>
Prediction: Cavs in 6.
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
<o>
</o>
By Brandon Van Hoesen
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
<o></o>
<st1:city w:st="on">L.A.</st1:city> Lakers (1) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Denver</st1:city></st1> (8)
Iverson, Melo, Camby, J.R. Smith, K. Martin. Great team, right? Not so much. The Nuggets have been a strong home team, but a poor road team. Outside of Camby, the Nuggets are simply allergic to defense. Still you never know what Allen Iverson has up his sleeve (think Game 1 of the 2002 NBA Finals). <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1> and the Lakers will be too much for the talented, but unpolished Nuggets. Defense wins championships.
Prediction: Lakers in 5.
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
<o></o>
<st1:city w:st="on">New Orleans</st1:city> (2) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Dallas</st1:city></st1> (7)
The Mavs went from the #1 seed to squeaking into the playoffs with the #7 seed and their roster is better this year with the addition of Kidd. This should be a great series. CP3 (my MVP), David West, and Tyson Chandler have had great seasons and the Mavs have played better of late after taking some time to adjust to Kidd. It’s going to be interesting to see if Dirk matches up with Peja. The Mavs have the more talented roster with Howard, Dirk, and Kidd all being big time stars. The Hornets on the other hand have flown under the radar outside of Paul. I think the Mavs spring the upset for two main reasons; they have a lot more playoff experience and they are hungry after getting embarrassed last year against the 8 seeded Warriors as well as being ignored this season.
Prediction: Mavs in 7.<o></o>
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
<st1:city w:st="on">
San Antonio</st1:city> (3) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:city></st1> (6)
You know the West is loaded when these two, the best two teams in the league last year, face off in the 1<sup>st</sup> round. Both teams are very capable championship contenders. I can't say I was a fan of the Shaq-Matrix swap, but it does help them against the Spurs as Shaq can give Tim Duncan a lot of trouble and Amare couldn’t. I actually made that point at the time of the trade when trying to rationalize it. I think Ginobili will be the difference maker in this series as he has played out of his mind this year especially in clutch situations. According to 82games.com in "clutch" situations, he shot 57 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3 and 93 percent from the foul line. In "super-clutch" situations, he was the 3<sup>rd</sup> best scorer behind LeBron and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Kobe</st1></st1:city> and shot a jaw-dropping 62 percent from the field. I’m betting the Suns make sure to keep Robert Horry away from Steve Nash in the closing moments of a Suns W, but I think the Spurs are still a hair better.
Prediction: Spurs in 7.<o></o>
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
<st1:state w:st="on">
Utah</st1:state> (4) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Houston</st1:city></st1> (5)
Here’s a trip down memory lane…..McGrady was quoted as saying that how wonderful it was to "finally be in the second round". Orlando, however, lost Games 5, 6, and 7 by an average of more than 20 points McGrady will have to wait another year to get out of the first round for the FIRST TIME. The Jazz are nearly unbeatable at home (34-4), Deron has made the Leap, and Boozer is a dominant power forward. The Rockets had a fine regular season and an other worldly 22 game winning streak (15 without <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Yao</st1></st1:city>), but this is where the road stops. Deron Williams versus Skip to My Lou is just embarrassing. The Rockets just won’t have enough firepower to overcome the better team in a 7 game series. Sorry cjones.
Prediction: Jazz in 5.<o></o>
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
EASTERN CONFERENCE
<o></o>
<st1:city w:st="on">BOSTON</st1:city> (1) vs. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>ATLANTA</st1> </st1:city>(8)
Sorry Hawks fans, this one is pretty simple. Winning Percentage? Celtics by 36%. Backcourt? Celtics. Frontcourt? Celtics. Bench? Celtics. Experience? Celtics. Sweep? Check.
Prediction: Celtics in 4.
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
Detriot (2) vs. <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Philadelphia</st1:city></st1> (7)
A lot of people wanted the Pistons to break up their team and re-build after the loss to the Cavs. Fortunately, they have one of the few good NBA GM’s in Joe Dumars and he chose the right option to stick with what he had, which makes much more sense in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers have exceeded expectations as well including a streak where they won 19 wins of 24. Andre Iguodala has stepped up and earned the AI moniker. In addition, Samuel Dalembert is developing into a good young big man. Not this year though, the Pistons are just too good, but don’t be surprised if they mail in a game, they are known for it.
Prediction: Pistons in 5.
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
<st1:city w:st="on">
Orlando</st1:city> (3) vs. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Toronto</st1></st1:city> (6)
In the battle of teams that traded away Tracy McGrady, I give the Magic the slight advantage. Superman, Hedo the Hobbit, and the $110 million man should be able to pull this one out. Look for some monster 20-20 nights from Dwight Howard throughout this series. It’ll be interesting to see if Bosh can match his gaudy numbers. Bosh is still one of the most underrated players in the league, but that’s what happens when you play in hockey land. I think the Raptors are better than people think though and will push it to at least 6 and possibly 7. Calderon has done a terrific job replacing T.J. Ford as the starter and Bosh is a very tough matchup for Lewis or Hedo.
Prediction: Magic in 7.
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
<st1:city w:st="on">
Cleveland</st1:city> (4) vs. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1>Washington</st1></st1:state> (5)<o></o>
This is turning into one of the league's best rivalries. This will be the 3rd straight time these two teams have squared off in the opening round. I think it was a terrible idea for Arenas to call out Lebron and the Cavs saying they wanted to face them. Do you really want to piss off the best player in the league? It’ll be interesting to see how shoot first Arenas plays even though he isn’t back at 100% and if he will defer to a better player right now in….gasp…Antawn Jamison. It’s true, he just finished off a 21 and 10 season. This series is definitely the one to watch in the East. <o></o>
Prediction: Cavs in 6.
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
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