I don't know how, or when it happened, but somehow the 2010-2011 NBA season has ended, bringing forth the post season, better known as the Playoffs. Its an exciting time for all basketball fans alike, no matter if your home team has made the cut or not, ensuring countless Sportscenter top ten plays, on-court trash talking and memorable interviews. And of course, it lets the "hoop obsessed" hang on to their sport just a little longer, before summer begins and takes it all away.
Yesterday was the first set of matchups and as it stands the East looks like this:
Chicago Bulls VS. Indiana Pacers
Miami Heat VS. Philadelphia 76ers
Boston Celtics VS. New York Knicks
Orlanda Magic VS. Atlanta Hawks
And the West like this:
San Antonio Spurs VS. Memphis Grizzlies
Los Angeles Lakers VS. New Orleans Hornets
Dallas Mavericks VS. Portland Trail Blazers
Oklahoma City Thunder VS. Denver Nuggets
The Bulls and the Pacers started off the Saturday Playoff marathon, the Bulls eventually winning 104-99, despite the poor performance from just about everyone on the team minus Derrick Rose. Defense was nowhere to be found, Carlos Boozer continued to struggle, and it was an altogether sloppy game. However, as usual Rose was unstoppable, ending the game with 39 points, a Playoff career high for him, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Though the Bulls won, now leading the series 1-0, many are questioning whether or not they will be able to make it out of the first round. The Pacers led for most of the game, Danny Granger and Tyler Hansbrough both heating up. Its undeniable that the Bulls are a solid squad, earning the best record in the league this season, but if nerves and pressure get to them, and Rose is the only one putting in work, they may find themselves once again knocked out too soon. My prediction for this series though? Bulls in 6.
Next came the Heat and the Sixers, a game that honestly surprised me. I will admit I haven't been keeping up with the Sixers as much as I would have liked, finding Andres Iguodala to be an explosive force, but it seems as though Doug Collins has really turned the team around. In the end the Sixers ended up losing to the Heat, 89-97, but not without a fight. They held Dwyane Wade to only 17 points, and Lebron James to only 21, with Chris Bosh surprisingly beating them out with 25. Offensively the Sixers need work, not getting enough open looks, but defensively they are strong, and may end up holding at least one win over the Heat. However, and I say this with a heavy heart, as I have yet to accept the Heat as a legitimate team, I see the Heat winning in 5.
Now as for Magic and the Hawks, I have to admit I didn't actually get a chance to watch this matchup, but from hearing about Dwight Howard's performance, I'm shocked the Hawks took it, 103-93. Howard's 46 points and 19 rebounds still didn't hold up against the Atlanta crew, the Magic struggling with their defense, as well as no other players other than Howard and Jameer Nelson making more than 6 points, Brandon Bass and Ryan Anderson remaining scoreless. There was no doubt in my mind that this series would be a close one, the Magic and the Hawks being the fourth and fifth seed, respectively, but I would have expected the Magic to take the first game, having homecourt advantage. At this point, my thoughts on how it will end are shakey, but for now, I'm seeing the Magic in 7.
The last game played yesterday was the Mavs taking on the Blazers, the Mavs pulling ahead 89-81. I didn't get to see this one either, quite frankly disinterested in this series despite my affection for LaMarcus Aldridge, who ended up scoring 27 for the Blazers, keeping them afloat. However, he and his team failed to stop Jason Kidd, who based on reports seemed to play the game of his season, as well as Dirk Nowitzki, who is always a threat. In my opinion, though I am not their biggest fan, the Mavs have a much deeper group, and are much healthier, so therefore I will have to say that I see them winning in 4.
As for the remaining four series, all taking place today, my predictions for them are as follows...
Starting with the Spurs and the Grizzlies, I see the Grizzlies standing no chance, even with Manu Ginobili currently out, with no Rudy Gay, and a very young and inexperienced team. Of course, it is the Playoffs, a tournament in which the unexpected is expected, but from a logical and intuitive stand point, it will be the Spurs in 4. Though dull, the Spurs are the most traditional team in terms of play, and they embody discipline, knowledge and determination. Tony Parker may have had some personal setbacks recently, and Tim Duncan may be getting old, but so far nothing has stopped them.
Moving onto the Lakers and the Hornets, I honestly don't even know what to say. Yes Chris Paul is good, that goes without saying, but having been stuck on a subpar team for so long, I feel as though his talents are slowly disappearing, and his career may be in trouble soon if he doesn't relocate. And as for the rest of the boys in blue, I don't see anyone except for maybe Emeka Okafor and David West giving the Lakers a hard time. Kobe Bryant's team isn't perfect either, Andrew Bynum still struggling with his knee, and Kobe himself having problems after his so-called homophobic outburst towards an official, but in terms of coming out on top, its going to be last season's champions. And I see it happening in only 4.
The Thunder and the Nuggets is sure to be a good one, the Nuggets surprising the hell out of me, not falling apart after the big trades. Because of their already uneven performances while Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony were around, as a huge Nuggets fan, I was terrified that their departure would cause the team to fall apart. But instead, the opposite happened. Once the uncertainty of who would stay, and who would go, was eliminated and the team could go back to focusing on their game, the Nuggets flourished, and landed the number five seed in the West. But with said, the Thunder also improved after trades, gaining Kendrick Perkins, adding to an already hot bunch lead by Kevin Durant. This series is honestly the hardest to predict, it possibly going either way, but in the end I think I have to put my money on the Thunder in 7.
Last but not least is the Celtics and Knicks series, which I am very excited for, the first game airing tonight at 7pm ET. The Celtics seem to have lost their mojos ever since Perkins was traded away, ending up third in the East, behind the Bulls and the Heat. They are still a talented squad, with players like Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen putting forth their best night after night, but with their frustration getting the best of the team during the regular season, theres no telling how well they will hold it together now. The Knicks on the other hand have been on the up ever since Melo and Billups joined Amare Stoudemire, although of course, there is still much work to be done. The team is more confident than ever, and it is obvious that as time goes by, everyone is that much more comfortable with one another. If I was basing my predictions on just numbers, I would probably say the Celtics in 4 or 5, them being the third seed taking on the sixth, and leading the season series 4-0, but because of recent attitude and motivational changes to both teams, I'm going to say the Celtics in 6.
The Playoffs have just begun and although one game doesn't necessarily determine a trend, there are already some great series in the makings. How will my predictions hold up? Let the unveiling begin...
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