It’s Playoff Time!!!!
The 2010 NBA Playoffs are underway in earnest with several contenders looking to knock off defending champions the LA Lakers.
In the Eastern Conference:
Cleveland - 61-21 (1) vs. Chicago 41-41 (8)
The Cavaliers got off to a solid start with a 96-83 thumping of Chicago on Saturday. The game led star Cav LeBron James to issue the statement “we have the look of a champion”.
After last season’s Conference Finals defeat at the hands of the Orlando Magic, the Cleveland outfit comes back tougher through the key addition of Shaquille O’Neal, wit more court savvy in the form of Anthony Parker and more versatile in the front court through Antawn Jamison.
In game one with Shaq returning from an injury layoff and playing as if he were ten years younger, Cleveland bolted to a 56-41 advantage at the half and was never headed.
LeBron as usual filled a lot of spaces on the scoresheet with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocked shots for Cleveland with support from Mo Williams (19 points, 10 assists), Jamison (15 points, 10 rebounds), O’Neal (12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks), and Anderson Varejao (8 points, 15 rebounds).
Series prediction:
While the Bulls play the Cavs tough usually, I don’t see Chicago winning more than two games. Cavs in six or less.
Orlando 59-23 (2) vs. Charlotte 44-38 (7)
With game one of this series set for Sunday, look for the edge to go to Orlando although Charlotte, making their first playoff appearance is looking to impress new owner and playoff legend Michael Jordan. Charlotte improved throughout the season and is just short in depth department. That said, the Magic will still need key contributions from Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson in this series.
Series Prediction:
At some stage during the series, the Bobcats will rattle the cage of the Magic and test their resolve but in the end, Orlando’s post season experience will put them past the post. Magic in five.
Atlanta 53-29 (3) vs. Milwaukee 46-36 (6)
In game one, Atlanta played a flawless first half, bolting out to a 62-40 halftime advantage before surviving a ragged second half on their way to a 102-92 win. The Hawks had six players score in double figures and the inside play of Al Horford, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams proved too much for the Bucks team that was missing Michael Redd and inside presence Andrew Bogut.
Look for the same formula throughout this first round tilt. Although rookie Brandon Jennings dropped in 34 points in the opening game, the Bucks supporting cast is not up to par.
Series Prediction:
Atlanta in a sweep.
Boston 50-32 (4) vs. Miami 47-35 (5)
The Celtics took game one in a scrappy affair 85-76. There is a bit of animosity between the defence minded squads with Celtic emotional leader Kevin Garnett facing a possible two game suspension for elbowing the Heat’s Quentin Richardson in the jaw with less than a minute left in the game.
Miami suffered a monumental loss of composure, leading 61-47 with 7:02 left in the third quarter, the heat were outscored 24-7 and trailed 71-68 three minutes into the fourth quarter.
This series will be decided by the play of Dwayne Wade’s supporting cast and the freshness of Celtic veterans Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Garnett.
Series Prediction:
I think Wade may again reach near super human levels of play at times in this series and Boston may not always be able to weather the storm.
Miami in six or seven.
Western Conference:
Los Angeles 57-25 (1) vs. Oklahoma City 50-32 (8)
Though the Thunder limped into the playoffs, they could present and interesting first round proposition for the defending champions. Russell Westbrook needs to find his groove again and Thabo Sefolosha will need all of his “Swiss Army” tricks to deal with Kobe Bryant. That said, if Kobe forgets the team concept and takes the battle personally, there could be trouble in Tinsletown.
Series Prediction:
I think the Lakers will survive this round in six games though they will get a scare.
Dallas 55-27 (2) vs. San Antonio 50-32 (7)
The Spurs will be looking to avenge last season’s first round defeat at the hands of the Mavericks. This season, the Spurs rested Tim Duncan throughout and built up towards a playoff run. They also have a healthy Manu Ginobili. While Dallas made moves to bolster their team and won quite a few close contests through the regular season, their record could have easily been a lot worse.
Series Prediction:
I think ultimately the Spurs will pull this one out in seven.
Phoenix 54-28 (3) vs. Portland 50-32 (6)
Portland were definitely the over achievers through the season and survived injuries to key players to patch together a 50 win season. Now with the loss of Brandon Roy, the Blazers’ chances of survival are slim.
Series Prediction:
Suns will win this one in four or five.
Denver 53-29 (4) vs. Utah 53-29 (5)
Denver rode a 42 point effort from Carmelo Anthony to 126-113 win in game one of the series. J.R. Smith came off the bench to drop in 20 points in support of Anthony. After leading by just two points after three quarters, the Nuggets poured in 38 fourth quarter points to pull away.
The Nuggets have been a yo-yo of a squad in the absence of Coach George Karl who is being treated for cancer.
Most experts are picking the Jazz to take out the series but the Nuggets first up win could propel them to better play.
Series Prediction:
I will go against conventional wisdom here and pick Denver in six.
Further into the future, I see the Cavs getting their rematch with the Magic in the Eastern Conference and the Lakers meeting the Spurs in the Western Conference.
My final prediction has Cleveland beating the Spurs in six games. I have been wrong before…see my NCAA picks!!LOL!!
