2011 NBA Playoff Predictions: The Matchup Each Team Wants To Avoid
Only three days remain in the NBA regular season, yet the fans already have their eyes on the playoffs. All 16 berths have been locked up, and the matchups are sure to be a lot of fun to watch.
Of course, there are some teams that will easily blow out their opposition in the first round. It's a near certainty that both No. 1 seeds will easily defeat the No. 8 seeds they will face. Yet, after that, nothing is guaranteed.
In the entire playoff picture, from the first round up until the last two teams standing, there are matchups that certain squads would rather not have to worry about. That being said, let's look at each NBA playoff team and determine which playoff matchup would be best to avoid.
No. 8 West: Memphis Grizzlies
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Team To Avoid
Now, oddly enough, the Grizzlies split the season series with the No. 1 San Antonio Spurs. Each team won two games apiece, though the Grizzlies' second win can be attributed to San Antonio playing without All-Star power forward Tim Duncan, who was out with a sprained ankle.
However, Duncan is now healthy and fresh for the playoffs. Given the presence of him, along with guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, with whom Duncan has already won three NBA championships, the experienced Spurs squad should make short work of Memphis.
Don't get me wrong, the Memphis Grizzlies are a very talented and young team that has a young core group of players with bright futures. Yet, they are playing without star forward Rudy Gay. Yes, it can be argued that they achieved so much without him, but consider this:
Before he was injured, Gay was averaging 19.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Against a tough and experienced San Antonio Spurs team, the lack of those statistics in the lineup will ultimately prove to be the difference maker.
Prediction
Spurs in four
No. 8 East: Indiana Pacers
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Team To Avoid
At one point this season, the Indiana Pacers were performing so badly that then-head coach Jim O'Brien was fired and replaced with assistant Frank Vogel. Since then, while the Pacers still look like a young and inexperienced squad, they have played well enough to lock up the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately for them, their first-round opponent is the No. 1 Chicago Bulls.
As much talent as the Indiana Pacers may have, they are no match for the Bulls. Indiana lacks a true point guard, and Chicago has a great one and possible MVP in Derrick Rose. The Pacers don't really have veteran leadership, and the Bulls have a tremendous veteran presence in power forward Carlos Boozer.
On top of that, the Pacers went 1-3 against the Bulls in the regular season. The lone win was a dramatic, 115-108 overtime victory, but Chicago was without Boozer. Had he been playing, chances are that the game wouldn't have even made it to overtime.
Thus, with the perfect balance of youth and veterans, the Bulls handily take this series.
Prediction
Bulls in four
No. 7 West: New Orleans Hornets
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Team To Avoid
A couple of weeks into the 2010 season, people thought that the New Orleans Hornets were the team to beat. They started the season 8-0, and many thought that first-year head coach Monty Williams had something special on his hands.
But the Western Conference is tough, and the Hornets only went 38-34 the rest of the way. If the season ended today, they would face the defending-champion Los Angeles Lakers, against whom they went 0-4 on the season.
As great a point guard as Chris Paul is, he cannot carry the team on his back alone, especially against an experienced squad like the Lakers. This season, he only averaged 16.1 points a game. That's his lowest average since his rookie season, when he averaged 16.2 points.
On top of that, the Hornets have some glaring holes in their lineup. Starting power forward David West, who averaged 18.9 points and 7.6 rebounds a game, is out for the entire playoffs with a knee injury. Also, the Hornets do not have a solid option at shooting guard, as both Willie Green and Marco Belinelli have been inconsistent all year.
With no top shooter to help Paul, combined with the loss of a body that could cover Pau Gasol, the Hornets are in trouble if the playoff picture stays as it is now.
Prediction
Lakers in four
No. 7 East: Philadelphia 76ers
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Team To Avoid
In a season full of ups and downs, the Philadelphia 76ers fought hard in the second half and clinched a playoff berth. As of now, they are the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and would face the Miami Heat in the first round. Given how the team went 0-3 against South Beach's powerhouse of a squad, this is a matchup that Elton Brand and company would rather avoid.
As good as the Sixers have been as of late, they aren't any match for Miami. Brand's defense near the glass has been very suspect, and the rest of the squad puts up hit-or-miss numbers. The Sixers would certainly give Miami a fight, but the Heat and their Big Three would ultimately come out on top.
Prediction
Heat in five
No. 6 West: Portland Trail Blazers
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Team To Avoid
Were the playoffs to happen today, the Portland Trail Blazers would face the Dallas Mavericks. Given all of the drama that's happening in Dallas as of late, I expect it to be a good series. Portland went 2-2 against the Mavs this season, but the team they should fear in the postseason is a horse of a different color.
The Blazers should worry about the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder, against whom they went 1-3. Of course, Portland has a great go-to guy in power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (pictured at left), but can he cover Kevin Durant? I think not.
Also, Oklahoma City has a great point guard in Russell Westbrook, while Portland has an aging one in Andre Miller. Both teams would have to advance to the next round in order for this matchup to occur, and if it did, it would surely be a great series to watch. Ultimately, my pick goes to the Thunder if it happens.
Prediction
Thunder in six
No. 6 East: New York Knicks
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Team To Avoid
The New York Knicks still have two regular-season games left to play: one against the Chicago Bulls and one against the Boston Celtics. At this point, the Knicks would face the latter team were the playoffs to start today. As a long-suffering Knicks fan, I really hope this does not happen.
Thus far, the Knicks are 0-3 against the Celtics this season. No matter how hard the Knicks play, Boston always finds a way to beat them. The reason why this happens is simple: Boston's Big Three has been playing together for a long time, while the Knicks are still learning how to gel.
Come playoff time, the Celtics would use their experience against the Knicks and ultimately win the series. The Knicks would certainly show signs of life, but Boston would ultimately come out on top as the boo-birds go to roost in the stands of Madison Square Garden.
Prediction
Celtics in five
No. 5 West: Denver Nuggets
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Team To Avoid
Oklahoma City Thunder
If the much-anticipated playoff matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder occurs, Nuggets coach George Karl (pictured at left) will have plenty to scream about. Denver went 1-3 against Oklahoma City this season, including two losses to the Thunder in the past week.
The facts are simple. Denver's core just doesn't have as much chemistry as the pairing of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Throw in the lack of a big body that can match up well with Kendrick Perkins, and the Nuggets' playoff mine might just be barren.
Prediction
Thunder in four
No. 5 East: Atlanta Hawks
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Team To Avoid
Chicago Bulls
In the first round, Josh Smith (pictured at left) and the Atlanta Hawks are expected to face the Orlando Magic, a team they beat three times in the regular season. Yet, while the Magic are sure to make it tough for the Hawks to advance to the next round, the team that Atlanta should really fear is the Chicago Bulls.
The Hawks played Chicago three times in one month this season and went 1-2. The lone win was an 83-80 squeaker and can be attributed to Derrick Rose having a rare off-night. The two losses had scores of 94-76 and 114-81. That being said, it's safe to say that the Bulls have Atlanta's number.
The biggest advantage the Bulls have is the presence of a true point guard. Derrick Rose is a force to be reckoned with, and he will be the difference maker in a Bulls-Hawks playoff matchup.
Prediction
Bulls in five
No. 4 West: Oklahoma City Thunder
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Team To Avoid
San Antonio Spurs
Despite a great season, it must be remembered that the Thunder are still a very young team with little playoff experience. Thus, it's no surprise that they went 0-3 against the Spurs during the regular season. Although this playoff matchup would not happen until one of the later rounds, the Thunder would surely rather not face this experienced team.
If this matchup were to happen, chances are that Kevin Durant and his teammates would have enough of a playoff adrenaline rush going to actually compete. Yet, when push comes to shove, it will be the more experienced San Antonio squad that comes out on top in this playoff battle.
Prediction
Spurs in six
No. 4 East: Orlando Magic
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Team To Avoid
Atlanta Hawks
Stan Van Gundy (pictured at left) has a lot to be grumpy about regarding his team's first playoff matchup. If the playoffs started today, the Orlando Magic would face the Atlanta Hawks, a team that beat them 3-1 in the season series.
Don't get me wrong, the Magic are a very talented team. Yet, when it comes to playing the Hawks, Atlanta just has more talent at the guard position.
Combine Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford scoring 20-plus points a game, plus the incredible all-around play of Josh Smith, and the Hawks take this series easily. In a sense, the Magic will be shown that they cannot rely solely on Dwight Howard to carry the team. Only if they utilize Jameer Nelson properly will they defeat the Hawks.
Prediction
Hawks in six
No. 3 West: Dallas Mavericks
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Team To Avoid
San Antonio Spurs
Overall, the Dallas Mavericks are a very talented, albeit underrated, NBA team. They always finish among the elite, but can never quite make it once it's playoff time. This year, however, they are the No. 3 seed in the West.
While I do expect the Mavs to do well in the postseason this year, their 1-3 record against the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs makes it very hard to pick them as the Western Conference's representative in the NBA Finals. Both teams have years of playoff experience, but the Spurs and their core have won three championships together. Dallas made the NBA Finals in 2006, but lost to the Miami Heat.
Of course, if these two teams did end up facing each other in the playoffs, it would be a matchup for the ages. Both have great veteran leadership and talented youth. Yet, championship experience would ultimately win out in this battle.
Prediction
Spurs in seven
No. 3 East: Boston Celtics
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Team To Avoid
None
Let's be honest, folks—this team goes into the postseason with no fear and no expectations. The Celtics just go out there and play their hardest, even if it means getting roughed up around the rim.
Yes, they have had some bad losses this season, but Doc Rivers and the Boston Celtics never let a loss stop them. If anything, it makes them better. Look for them to put on another great show in the playoffs this year!
No. 2 West: Los Angeles Lakers
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Team To Avoid
San Antonio Spurs
Currently, the Los Angeles Lakers are on a five-game losing streak with two games left to play in the regular season. Their next game is Tuesday night against the San Antonio Spurs, to whom they have lost twice this season. Given how the Spurs are the Lakers' worst enemy in the postseason, this game is a must win.
The fact is that if the Lakers and Spurs were to indeed play each other in the postseason, the Lakers would be at a great disadvantage. Despite the presence of top players like Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest, the offense turns into The Kobe Bryant Show more often than not.
Unless Bryant learns that he has talented teammates who can help him out on offense, the Lakers are destined to fail in the postseason.
The Spurs, on the other hand, share the ball very well. Tony Parker is a fine point guard who can distribute the ball just as well as he can shoot it, and his relationship with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili is a testament to that. Ultimately, this relationship will be what defeats the Lakers in this potential playoff matchup.
Prediction
Spurs in six
No. 2 East: Miami Heat
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Team To Avoid
New York Knicks
Ever since LeBron James shunned the bright lights of New York City and instead took his talents to South Beach, Knicks fans have been out for blood. If certain chips fall into place, the old rivalry will be reborn and the Miami Heat will face the Knicks in the first round of the playoffs. If this does indeed happen, Miami will be in deep trouble.
Sure, the Heat have beaten the Knicks twice this season. But the Knicks have also beaten the Heat twice, the most recent win being a 91-86, come-from-behind victory in Miami on February 25. This was at the hands of New York and its new Big Three.
So, could the Knicks beat the Miami Heat in the playoffs? Absolutely! While Miami has three great players in LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, the Heat still lack a true point guard.
This is where the Knicks have a huge advantage in Chauncey "Big Shot" Billups. He nailed the go-ahead three-pointer in the last game, so there is no reason to believe his legendary playoff magic wouldn't take its talents back to South Beach if it was necessary.
All in all, this series would be a total dogfight. Miami has the Wade, LeBron and Bosh, but New York has the heart. That is what will give the Knicks a victory in this series.
Prediction
Knicks in seven
No. 1 West: San Antonio Spurs
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Team To Avoid
None
I've said it multiple times before, and I'll say it again right now: The San Antonio Spurs are the epitome of team chemistry. Their three best players have won three championships together already, and there is no reason to believe they cannot win a fourth.
This squad has the best record in the NBA for a reason. It would take a miracle to eliminate the Spurs before the NBA Finals.
No. 1 East: Chicago Bulls
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Team To Avoid
New York Knicks
I know what you're all thinking: How could the top-seeded team in the East possibly want to avoid a mediocre No. 6 seed like the New York Knicks? Well, believe it or not, the Chicago Bulls have lost to the Knicks twice this season and could make it a third time come Tuesday.
That isn't to say that the Bulls are a bad team. Both losses were close ones, with scores of 120-112 and 103-95. Carlos Boozer was absent for the first game, but the fact that the Knicks still beat Chicago on December 25, when Boozer had 26 points and 19 rebounds, is saying something.
All in all, if there's one team that I think could beat the Bulls in the playoffs, it's the Knicks. They have a much deeper bench, full of players who can produce in so many ways, while the Bulls seem to rely a lot on Boozer, Derrick Rose and Luol Deng. Plus, New York has already beaten them twice this year and might just have their number.
Either way, this series would be a good one and a lot of fun to watch. It certainly would bring back memories of when Michael Jordan helped the Bulls beat the Knicks in the playoffs, but with a different outcome (hopefully).
Prediction
Knicks in seven
