Predicting Matchups for the NBA Playoffs
The always-thrilling NBA Playoffs are right around the corner.
Who's going to win it all this year?
Will LeBron James finally get his ring?
Will Kobe Bryant tie Michael Jordan with ring number six?
Can Derrick Rose lift his Chicago Bulls to a title for the first time since the dynasty years?
Here is a prediction of how this the NBA's 2012 postseason might play out.
Eastern Confernce First Round
1 of 7No. 1 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 8 New York Knicks
Back in the '90s, Bulls vs. Knicks was one of the best rivalries in sports. But nowadays, that really isn't the case anymore.
Reigning MVP Derrick Rose and his Chicago squad sweep New York 4-0.
No. 2 Miami Heat vs. No. 7 Boston Celtics
The Heat eliminated Boston in the postseason last year and they do it again this year.
LeBron and Co. prove to be a little too much for the aging Celtics ball club, taking the series in five games.
Is this the final time we see Boston's Big Three on the court together?
No. 3 Orlando Magic vs. No. 6 Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta beat Orlando in last year's playoffs.
This time, however, Orlando gets revenge winning in six.
No. 4 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 5 Indiana Pacers
Much improved from last year, the deep Pacers edge Philly in six games, despite a phenomenal coaching job from Doug Collins.
Western Confernce First Round
2 of 7No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 Phoenix Suns
Choosing not to trade two-time MVP Steve Nash, the Suns beat out a couple of teams to land the final playoff spot in the West.
Too bad they have to play an elite team like the Thunder.
Oklahoma City wins in five.
No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 7 Utah Jazz
The Spurs are too good to lose in the first round two consecutive years. They will sweep the inexperienced Jazz.
No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 6 Memphis Grizzlies
In this series, the Gasol brothers — Paul for L.A. and Marc for Memphis — battle for bragging rights.
The Lakers win in six.
No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
The Clippers make their first postseason appearance since 2006 and square off against the defending champion Mavericks.
Blake Griffin vs. Dirk Nowitzki make an interesting power forward matchup.
The Clips are one of the league's most exciting teams, however they end up losing to Dirk and the gang in six.
Eastern Confernce Semifinals
3 of 7Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers
Chicago and Indiana battle for the second straight year, this time in the semifinals instead of the first round.
D-Rose and the Bulls are too much for Indy, as Chicago wins in five games.
Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic
It's the battle of Florida.
Winning the series in six games, Miami is labeled the NBA's king of the Sunshine state
Western Confernce Semifinals
4 of 7Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs won it all a season ago, but they're just not as good this year.
This is the Thunder's year, and they advance, beating Dallas in a five game series.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers
San Antonio was eliminated in the first round last year. This year, they do a little better, going out in the second round to Kobe and the Lakers in five.
Eastern Confernce Finals: Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat
5 of 7Wow, what a surprise, huh?
You knew which two teams were going to appear on this slide.
Miami and Chicago met in the Conference Finals last year as well, with the Heat winning in five games.
This year, Miami wins again, but in six.
Western Confernce Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers
6 of 7Not long ago, the Lakers were the team to beat in the Western Conference, winning back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.
Now, if you want to win the West, you're going to have to go through Oklahoma City.
The Thunder wins this thrilling series in six games.
Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant engage in an epic showdown, certainly giving the fans their money's worth.
NBA Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat
7 of 7This is the matchup most fans want to see.
It features arguable the league's two best duos in the Thunder's Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and the Heat's LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
A few days ago, the Thunder got the best of Miami, spanking them 103-87 in Oklahoma City. But in the Finals, they will lose to Miami in seven.
Dwyane Wade collects his second ring, Chris Bosh gets his first, while James is named Finals MVP and finally shuts the haters up.
