The NBA playoffs start this weekend after an injury-plagued season impacted just about every team this season.
The league’s down to the wire finish on Wednesday sealed the final spot in the Eastern Conference for the Chicago Bulls and made for some last minute jockeying for seeds in the highly competitive Western Conference.
This year sees little change in the East, with Milwaukee and Charlotte joining the ranks of the East’s eight. The Cavaliers, Magic, Hawks, and Celtics all stayed in the top four.
The Western Conference has more changes to it. Oklahoma City and Phoenix are the two new teams on the block. The seedings have been completely reordered with the exception of Kobe Bryant’s Lakers—although they no longer clench the top spot with the iron fist that they did last year.
Let’s take a look at three interesting matchups in the first round with my predictions.
Cleveland Cavaliers (1) vs. Chicago Bulls (8)
No one is doubting what the outcome of this series will be.
The Cavs are fully rested and are hungry for their first title after the Orlando Magic squashed their hopes last year.
Look for King LeBron James to come out with a vengeance after being benched for the last several games of the season.
With Shaquille O’Neal expected back from a thumb injury and Mo Williams and the newly acquired Antawn Jamison playing well to back James up, there’s virtually no stopping the Cavs.
But the Bulls won’t be a pushover. They ended the season on a bang, fighting tooth and nail to clinch the eighth spot. They tied the regular series 2–2 with the Cavs, meaning they know they can beat them. And Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah are playing at the top of their games.
“Everybody thinks we’re going to get our [butts] whipped. And you know what, we’re going to try to shock the world,” Noah said.
Prediction: Cavaliers in six games.
Boston Celtics (4) vs. Miami Heat (5)
This promises to be one of the most hotly contested matchups.
The big news is Boston’s continued descent as they make do with an aging lineup, epitomized by Kevin Garnett’s recurring knee injuries.
But with the rising leadership of Rajon Rondo and enough depth on the bench from Nate Robinson and Tony Allen, the Celtics still have it in them to get at least one playoff series victory.
Look for the Celtics to focus their energy on shutting down Miami powerhouse Dwyane Wade. Jermaine O’Neal will prove a worthy opponent of the Celtics’ big man Kendrick Perkins and Michael Beasley will be sure to step up. With Wade shut down, the Heat will be turned off.
Prediction: Celtics in six games.
Denver Nuggets (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5)
Denver’s loss of coach George Karl will certainly handicap the team this postseason.
However, the team will dig deep with leadership from superstar Carmelo Anthony and veteran Chauncey Billups, who has taken on additional responsibilities almost like an assistant coach.
Denver finished the season on a mixed note but Anthony means business and Nene Hilario will be there to back him up.
The Jazz will look to Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer to lead the charge and will win a few games, but Denver’s home court advantage will prevail in the end.
Prediction: Nuggets in seven games.
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Cleveland Cavaliers (1) vs. Chicago Bulls (8)
Orlando Magic (2) vs. Charlotte Bobcats (7)
Atlanta Hawks (3) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (6)
Boston Celtics (4) vs. Miami Heat (5)
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (8)
Dallas Mavericks (2) vs. San Antonio Spurs (7)
Phoenix Suns (3) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (6)
Denver Nuggets (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5)
The league’s down to the wire finish on Wednesday sealed the final spot in the Eastern Conference for the Chicago Bulls and made for some last minute jockeying for seeds in the highly competitive Western Conference.
This year sees little change in the East, with Milwaukee and Charlotte joining the ranks of the East’s eight. The Cavaliers, Magic, Hawks, and Celtics all stayed in the top four.
The Western Conference has more changes to it. Oklahoma City and Phoenix are the two new teams on the block. The seedings have been completely reordered with the exception of Kobe Bryant’s Lakers—although they no longer clench the top spot with the iron fist that they did last year.
Let’s take a look at three interesting matchups in the first round with my predictions.
Cleveland Cavaliers (1) vs. Chicago Bulls (8)
No one is doubting what the outcome of this series will be.
The Cavs are fully rested and are hungry for their first title after the Orlando Magic squashed their hopes last year.
Look for King LeBron James to come out with a vengeance after being benched for the last several games of the season.
With Shaquille O’Neal expected back from a thumb injury and Mo Williams and the newly acquired Antawn Jamison playing well to back James up, there’s virtually no stopping the Cavs.
But the Bulls won’t be a pushover. They ended the season on a bang, fighting tooth and nail to clinch the eighth spot. They tied the regular series 2–2 with the Cavs, meaning they know they can beat them. And Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah are playing at the top of their games.
“Everybody thinks we’re going to get our [butts] whipped. And you know what, we’re going to try to shock the world,” Noah said.
Prediction: Cavaliers in six games.
Boston Celtics (4) vs. Miami Heat (5)
This promises to be one of the most hotly contested matchups.
The big news is Boston’s continued descent as they make do with an aging lineup, epitomized by Kevin Garnett’s recurring knee injuries.
But with the rising leadership of Rajon Rondo and enough depth on the bench from Nate Robinson and Tony Allen, the Celtics still have it in them to get at least one playoff series victory.
Look for the Celtics to focus their energy on shutting down Miami powerhouse Dwyane Wade. Jermaine O’Neal will prove a worthy opponent of the Celtics’ big man Kendrick Perkins and Michael Beasley will be sure to step up. With Wade shut down, the Heat will be turned off.
Prediction: Celtics in six games.
Denver Nuggets (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5)
Denver’s loss of coach George Karl will certainly handicap the team this postseason.
However, the team will dig deep with leadership from superstar Carmelo Anthony and veteran Chauncey Billups, who has taken on additional responsibilities almost like an assistant coach.
Denver finished the season on a mixed note but Anthony means business and Nene Hilario will be there to back him up.
The Jazz will look to Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer to lead the charge and will win a few games, but Denver’s home court advantage will prevail in the end.
Prediction: Nuggets in seven games.
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Cleveland Cavaliers (1) vs. Chicago Bulls (8)
Orlando Magic (2) vs. Charlotte Bobcats (7)
Atlanta Hawks (3) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (6)
Boston Celtics (4) vs. Miami Heat (5)
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (8)
Dallas Mavericks (2) vs. San Antonio Spurs (7)
Phoenix Suns (3) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (6)
Denver Nuggets (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5)
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