NBA Playoff Predictions: Matchups the Lakers, Heat and Celtics Want To Avoid
The 2011 NBA playoffs are coming around the bend, and that means more fiery NBA action, complete with buzzer-beaters that send teams packing, trash-talking that gets players going at each other on the hardwood with ferocious desire, and superstars that try to start a new chapter after leaving their former team.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the defending NBA champions, but they've looked weaker this season.
The Boston Celtics have faced the Lakers in the NBA Finals two of the last three years, winning one and going home last year.
They now have to deal not only with aging, but they also find themselves without low-post defender Kendrick Perkins, who for some reason was traded by the Celtics for forward Jeff Green.
And the Miami Heat are trying to start a new chapter of their own in the team's first year with Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh together.
All three are undoubtedly playoff teams and true championship contenders.
For each one of these teams, I'll give you three teams they don't want to face in the playoffs this year.
9. Miami Heat: New York Knicks
1 of 10
The Miami Heat are 2-2 against the New York Knicks this season, but they're 0-2 against the Knicks in their last two meetings, including a 91-86 loss to the new-look Knicks on Sunday.
The Knicks, while a playoff team before, have now become a true threat to anyone in the Eastern Conference.
When you have two guys like Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire up against you, a championship run could drastically be cut short.
8. Boston Celtics: Orlando Magic
2 of 10
The Celtics are 1-1 against the Magic this year, and they won the last matchup, but they also lost a vital piece that was the Celtics' form of Kryptonite against Magic superstar Dwight Howard.
That vital piece was Kendrick Perkins, a solid low-post defender for the Celtics against the NBA's dangerous big men.
Why the Celtics traded Perkins away for Jeff Green, I'll never know.
Green's a solid player, don't get me wrong, but who's going to defend the post against the behemoths of the league now?
7. Boston Celtics: San Antonio Spurs
3 of 10
Sure, in the teams' only matchup this season, the Celtics won 105-103, but no one wants to face the Spurs in the playoffs despite past history.
The Spurs have the best record in the NBA at 49-11 for a reason: they're a complete team that knows how to play together.
The Spurs don't give you anything; it's a constant battle.
They always find a way to expose your weaknesses.
6. Los Angeles Lakers: Miami Heat
4 of 10
The LA Lakers are clearly not the same team they were when they won the NBA title.
Their defense has been questionable.
Their bench and role players haven't been as good.
And, to make matters worse, they have to face more powerhouses these days.
The Heat is one of those rising powerhouses, gaining traction behind Dwyane Wade and newcomer LeBron James.
But the one thing the Lakers have over the Heat is experience, and a player in Kobe Bryant who comes through time and time again when it matters.
The Lakers have lost the team's only matchup this season.
5. Miami Heat: San Antonio Spurs
5 of 10
The Heat have lost their only matchup against the Spurs this season.
They also are fairly inexperienced with each other, compared to the Spurs' veteran chemistry.
The Heat aren't short on talent; it's simply that they haven't played in the playoffs together and the Spurs have.
Plus, the Spurs are, you know, 49-11.
4. Boston Celtics: Miami Heat
6 of 10
The Celtics know the Heat are supposed to be the new rising Beast in the East, but they also don't care.
They've beaten the Heat thrice in three chances this season and as of now are the better team.
But when the playoffs come around?
I could certainly see the Heat having worked out all their kinks by then.
The Heat have the talent to topple the Celtics, and if the Celtics don't come out on fire against the Heat, it would be a devastating series loss in the playoffs.
3. Miami Heat: Boston Celtics
7 of 10
The Heat probably will have to go through the Celtics if they want to win a championship, but they'd also probably prefer not to go that route.
The Celtics, as of now, are the better team, and the Heat know this.
The Celtics have been playing together for a while now, and it shows.
If the Heat beat the Celtics in the playoffs, they may just win the whole thing.
Out of all the teams in the league, I see the Celtics giving the Heat the most trouble.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Boston Celtics
8 of 10
The Lakers are 1-1 this season vs. the Celtics.
While the Lakers appear to have dipped as a team, the Celtics remain steady and strong, ready to claim a championship.
Although the Celtics have lost Kendrick Perkins, they would be absolutely determined to exact revenge on the Lakers for their Finals loss last year.
A Lakers-Celtics rematch would be nice to see, as both teams' star players are starting to get older.
1. Los Angeles Lakers: San Antonio Spurs
9 of 10
If I had to pick a team right now to win the championship, I'd go with the San Antonio Spurs.
Everything seems lined up for them to take a shot at the title this year.
Although there are more powerhouses such as the Miami Heat involved, the Spurs have a very strong unit this year.
You can't ignore 49 wins in 60 games.
The Lakers very well could not make it to the Finals this year if they run into the Spurs.
Conclusion
10 of 10
So there you have it: I have the Lakers most dreading the Spurs, the Heat most dreading the Celtics and the Celtics most dreading the Heat.
Can't wait to see these three teams in the playoffs this season as they duke it out.
Should be a fun ride along the way.
And we're all raring to go.
