NBA Playoff Schedule: Bold Predictions for Saturday's Matchups
After one of the fastest regular seasons in history, the NBA kicks into high gear with the start of the playoffs on Saturday. There are four marquee match-ups taking place on the first day of the second season.
Instead of just giving you a straight breakdown of what to expect from all the action today, we wanted to tell you what to expect when all is said and done.
Here is a look at each match-up and what will happen when the action tips off.
Philadelphia 76ers at Chicago Bulls (1:00 p.m. EST on TNT)
There was a time this season when the 76ers looked like one of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference. They stumbled near the end of the season because they didn't have enough offense, but this team knows how to defend the ball and grab rebounds.
The Bulls continue to get better and show incredible depth, even when they are without the services of Derrick Rose. They will have their superstar playing in this game, though how effective he is remains to be seen.
Since the 76ers don't have a dynamic offensive team, even if Rose doesn't play up to his usual standards, the Bulls should win this game handily. They will feed off the energy of a partisan Chicago crowd.
Prediction: Bulls win 99-84
New York Knicks at Miami Heat (3:30 p.m. EST on ABC)
One of the most intense rivalries of the 1990s gets renewed in the playoffs with the red-hot Carmelo Anthony leading the Knicks against should-be-MVP LeBron James and the Heat.
For the Knicks, consistency is the key. They haven't had a lot of that this year, but they won 18 of their last 24 games (9/13 against playoff teams). They can't try to match the Heat defensively, so they will have to control the tempo early and force the Heat to make plays late.
The Heat don't have a player in the middle who can match-up with Tyson Chandler, so don't expect a lot of second-chance opportunities for them in this game. They are more athletic than the Knicks and that is going to be the difference in Game 1.
Even if it isn't exactly the NBA Finals, I expect a huge game out of James.
Prediction: Heat win 102-95
Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers (7:00 p.m. EST on ESPN)
Is there anyone out there willing to bet on Orlando right now? This franchise is a mess. Dwight Howard is out. Stan Van Gundy is basically a dead man walking. On top of that, this roster has no depth to it whatsoever.
The Pacers shocked a lot of people with their strong push at the end of the season to lock up the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. I don't know that this is the best series to show us how good they are, but all they have to do is beat the team in front of them.
Prediction: Pacers win 94-80
Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder (9:30 p.m. EST on ESPN)
It was Dallas that ended Oklahoma City's run to the NBA Finals last season. That feels like so long ago because the Mavericks and Thunder are completely different teams heading into this year's postseason.
The Mavericks have been meddling near the bottom of the standings for most of the year. The Lamar Odom experience was a disaster of epic proportions. They look old and not very athletic right now. Not even another magical performance from Dirk Nowitzki will work against the Thunder.
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and co. are on a mission this season. They may have finished behind San Antonio in the Western Conference Standings, but you would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't believe they are the favorites to at least get to the Finals, if not win the whole thing.
That run starts tonight, with the Thunder making an emphatic statement against the defending champions.
Prediction: Thunder win 110-91
