With the regular season coming to an historic close, we look forward to the mega- matchups that have us all drooling over these playoffs. Having been an NBA fan since the early '90s (I'm only 21), I've never seen such a heated race for the playoffs, and certainly have never seen one conference with so many stacked teams. Every game in the Western Conference during the last two months has been equivalent to a playoff game, with every win or loss shaping the top eight seemingly everyday.
With everybody so excited to watch the Western Conference playoffs unfold, I'm equally excited to watch the Eastern Conference playoffs. Of course the difference between both conferences is that we will all be watching every matchup in the West in every round, and in the East we will tune in during the second and third rounds, when the match-ups are more talent heavy.
Here are my dream matchups that could happen in round one of the playoffs based on past history, player history, or just plain excitement. I understand that the Warriors and Nuggets are still jockeying for that eighth seed, so for writing sake, I will include the Warriors as the eighth seed. Many teams, obviously, can have more than one dream matchup, so I will include as many of those matchups as I can to satisfy the NBA fan.
Begin the drooling.
Phoenix Suns-Golden State Warriors
Come on, who wouldn't want to watch this series??
I'm putting the total on each game at around 240-250 points. Each team has a serious deficiency on defense (although, I think the Suns attempt to play defense more), so the points will come as easy as Paris Hilton at a party. Both teams are exciting, up-tempo teams that can score quickly, a game in the 130s for either team will not surprise anyone.
In three games so far this season, the Warriors have averaged 121.3 PPG, while the Suns have averaged 118.3 PPG, with the winner of each game scoring more than 120 points. It will take many miracles, however, for this matchup to come about, but it still would be an absolute joy to watch these two teams fight for the second round.
Phoenix Suns-Los Angeles Lakers
Another great matchup involving the Suns that will have everybody watching.
This budding rivalry has a short, but heated history. after ousting the Lakers from the playoffs the past two seasons, including that historic first round series in 2005-06 season, the famous close-line of Kobe Bryant by Raja Bell, and the physical nature of every game. Not to mention Shaq now playing for the Suns adds another twist to this rivalry. The Lakers won the season series 3-1, one of which was by 21 at Phoenix in the second game of the season.
Two teams who pulled off blockbuster trades that have such an interesting history will no doubt pull a lot of viewers.
Los Angeles Lakers-San Antonio Spurs
This rivalry hasn't been what it was earlier in the decade when this matchup seemingly decided who would advance to the Finals annually, but with the Lakers' resurgence to the top of the West the rivalry could add another intriguing chapter.
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