NBA Playoff Predictions: Projecting Outcome of Every Single Round and Matchup
The NBA playoffs are just a few months away and at this point it looks like the playoffs are just about set. Sure the seedings might change along the way, but I would be surprised if the playoff teams change between now and April.
Here we will be going through every playoff matchup based on the current standings. Who is going to win and why?
Read on to find out which surprise team will be winning the NBA Finals this season and be sure to let us know what you think.
West: 1. San Antonio Spurs Vs. 8. Memphis Grizzlies
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Why San Antonio Wins: San Antonio has been the best team in the NBA for most of this season. They have great experience and a group of young guys who are eager to please. The biggest question is will they be able to stay healthy and fresh for a deep playoff run? If they can, look out because the Spurs might be the team to beat.
Why Memphis Wins: Memphis has actually quite a bit of talent on the team. Their starting front line of Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay is outstanding. However, do they have enough talent to over compensate for the lack of experience and pedigree? We'll see.
Who Wins: Spurs in Five
San Antonio is just too good and experienced for Memphis to deal with. The Grizzles will make the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and to be honest, I think they will be happy just being here.
East: 1. Boston Cetlics Vs. 8. Indiana Pacers
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Why Boston Wins: Boston has been the team to beat the in Eastern Conference this season. Despite the fact that the Celtics have had a ton of injuries to deal with, they are still the class of the conference. The trade that the Celtics made was a tough pill to swallow for Boston fans, but they got younger and more athletic by adding Jeff Green. Green could end up being a big factor in the playoffs.
Why Indiana Wins: Indiana has really made a nice progression as a team this year. They were among the lottery teams last year yet now they are almost assuredly a playoff team. Not a bad turn around for Indiana.
Who Wins: Boston in four
The Celtics are going to be just far too much for the Pacers to handle. I don't see any situation where Boston doesn't win this series in four games.
West: 2. Dallas Mavericks Vs. 7. New Orleans Hornets
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Why Dallas Wins: The Mavericks have had some real bad playoff performances over the last five years. It seems like every year they are one of the hot teams going into the playoffs, but they never seem to be able to get over the hump. Can this be the team to finally bring a championship to Dallas?
Why New Orleans Wins: The Hornets had a fantastic start of the season where they were the last team to get a loss. Things haven't been quite as good since then, but the Hornets could be a tough playoff matchup if Chris Paul's knee remains healthy.
Who Wins: Dallas in six
I do think Chris Paul will make an impact in this series, but I don't know if the Hornets have enough around their star point guard to really make an impact in the playoffs.
East: 2. Miami Heat Vs. 7. Philadelphia 76ers
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Why Miami Wins: So Miami went out and got LeBron James and Chris Bosh to team up with Dwyane Wade. Obviously that is a ton of talent for one team, but does this team have the depth to compete with some of the big boys in the East?
Why Philadelphia Wins: I am shocked more people haven't been talking about the 76ers this year. They went from the No. 2 pick in the draft last year to an up and coming playoff team with little to no contribution from the player they drafted. I think the future is bright in Philly is Evan Turner can progress into a solid player.
Who Wins: Miami in five
I think Miami's skill and athleticism is going to be too much for the 76ers to overcome. I could see Philly stretching it out a little more, but I think they won't have the horses to really be in the series.
West: 3. Los Angeles Lakers Vs. 6. Portland Trail Blazers
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Why Los Angeles Wins: The only thing that is going to keep this Lakers team from winning the NBA Championship this year is the miles that their last three finals appearances have put on their bodies. The Lakers have the talent and experience to win the whole thing, but will their bodies hold up?
Why Portland Wins: The Trail Blazers are a tough matchup for just about every team in the Western Conference. They absolutely hijacked Gerald Wallace from the Bobcats and now their starting front court is frightening.
Who Wins: Lakers in seven
Despite the fact that the Blazers are going to be a tough matchup for the Lakers, LA still has two of the best players in the league in Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant. I don't see those two losing in the first round no matter who they are playing.
East: 3. Chicago Bulls Vs. 6. New York Knicks
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Why Chicago Wins: The Bulls have really cemented themselves as one of the true Eastern Conference contenders this year. They have a legitimate MVP candidate in Derrick Rose and they have a team that really seems to get along and enjoy playing together.
Why New York Wins: The Knicks got their second super-star in Carmelo Anthony just before the trade deadline, but will they have enough time to work out the kinks before the playoffs roll around?
Who Wins: Chicago in seven
This might be the best of the first round games, but the Bulls are a step ahead of the Knicks. Derrick Rose is going to be very tough to matchup with and the Bulls do have a solid defensive small forward in Luol Deng that can go against Anthony. Will be a good series, but the Bulls get the edge.
West: 4. Oklahoma City Thunder Vs. 5. Denver Nuggets
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Why Oklahoma City Wins: The Thunder might just be the most talented team, top to bottom, in the NBA. They have a legitimate MVP candidate in Kevin Durant and an outstanding guard in Russell Westbrook. They also addressed their front court depth at the trade deadline with the addition of Kendrick Perkins.
Why Denver Wins: The Nuggets may have shipped Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks, but it seems like a weight has been lifted off this team's collective shoulders. The Nuggets have an identity now of a team that is going to play hard for George Karl and that passion has really shown over the last few games.
Who Wins: Oklahoma City in five
I am inclined to say Oklahoma City in six because of how good the Nuggets have looked recently, but I think the Thunder are just too talented. I also wonder who is going to score down the stretch in a close game for the Nuggets.
East: 4. Olando Magic Vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks
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Why Orlando Wins: The Orlando Magic made a huge move at the start of the season by flipping most of their roster for new guys. However, the group has had a tough time gelling. They have struggled at times to remain a contender in the East.
Why Atlanta Wins: The Hawks made a move to upgrade the point guard position and add depth in the front court at the trade deadline. These moves have actually given the Hawks more of a chance to compete in the playoffs.
Who Wins: Atlanta in seven
Finally we have an upset! The Hawks have the depth in the front court to matchup with Dwight Howard and they have the ability to really get out and run against the Magic.
West: 1. San Antonio Spurs Vs. 4. Oklahoma City Thunder
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Why San Antonio Wins: If the Spurs get matched up with the Thunder it is going to take every ounce of experience that they have to compete with the young and skilled team from Oklahoma City. The Spurs are going to really need to get a good series from Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan to get by.
Why Oklahoma City Wins: If Kevin Durant does what he has been known to do then I think Thunder have a great chance in this one. If Thunder could also get Russell Westbrook to beat up the Spurs by getting to the hoop it will spell trouble for San Antonio.
Who Wins: Oklahoma City in six
The added front court depth for the Thunder is really going to make them a force to be reckoned with come playoff time, but the key to the series is how Durant is defended because the Spurs don't really have someone who can keep him from doing what he wants.
East: 1. Boston Celtics Vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks
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Why Boston Wins: With the trade of Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics got younger and more athletic, two things that they are going to need to rely on in order to get passed the Hawks.
Why Atlanta Wins: Atlanta may not have the same amount of experience or talent to keep up with the Celtics but they are younger and more athletic which could prove troublesome for Boston.
Who Wins: Boston in six
It seems like the Hawks and Celtics always have some outstanding playoff series but I think the emergence of Rajon Rondo and the acquisition of Jeff Green put the Celtics over the top.
West: 2. Dallas Mavericks Vs. 3. Los Angeles Lakers
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Why Dallas Wins: The Mavericks have one of the biggest mismatches in the NBA in Dirk Nowitski. The big German is one of the best forwards in the game and for the Mavs to beat the defending champs he needs to be the guy to carry them.
Why Los Angeles Wins: There is a guy on the Lakers that wears jersey No. 24 that I think is going to have an impact on this series. The Mavs don't have anyone who can slow him down and this is a problem for them. And Mavs fans if you say DeShawn Stevenson I will slap you in public.
Who Wins: Los Angeles in six
I think Kobe Bryant is going to really show that he is still a force of nature. He will look outstanding against a good Mavs team.
East: 2. Miami Heat Vs. 3. Chicago Bulls
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Why Miami Wins: Miami has outstanding skill but for them to win this series the Heat are going to have to get a big series from Dwyane Wade and more importantly Chris Bosh. LeBron is going to get his points and Wade has a mismatch compared to the Bulls shooting guards but Bosh needs to at least hold his own against the Bulls big men.
Why Chicago Wins: Derrick Rose has been the MVP of the league so far and just a few days ago he led the Bulls to a great win over the Heat. If Rose is able to get to the rim at will the Bulls have a great chance in this one.
Who Wins: Chicago in seven
If Miami had won the game a few days ago I would be inclined to pick them but after seeing the Bulls win I think Rose cements his MVP season by leading them to the Eastern Conference finals.
West: 3. Los Angeles Lakers Vs. 4. Oklahoma City Thunder
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Why Los Angeles Wins: The Lakers knocked the Thunder out of the playoffs last season in a great first round matchup that went six games. Now the Lakers are going to have to do it again against a better and more experienced team.
Why Oklahoma City Wins: Oklahoma City has two things going for it in this one. First, Russell Westbrook is much better than any point guard the Lakers can throw out there. Second, the Thunder addressed their front court depth that has held them back from being a true contender.
Who Wins: Oklahoma City in seven
This could end up being the best series in the playoffs but I think the Thunder are eager to prove themselves against the champs. Westbrook and Kevin Durant are going to get over the hump.
East: 1. Boston Celtics Vs. 3. Chicago Bulls
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Why Boston Wins: Boston is by far the more experienced team in this one and to be honest I like how they matchup against the Bulls. I think Mr. Three Pointer himself Ray Allen is going to have a huge series against a rag tag group of Bulls guards.
Why Chicago Wins: The Bulls will need Carlos Boozer to have his best series in order to win this one. He was signed as the marquee free agent this summer and he will need to be the guy to beat up Kevin Garnett if the Bulls are going to win.
Who Wins: Celtics in six
I really like this Bulls team but I think the Celtics made the right moves to compete in the Eastern half of the playoffs. Jeff Green off the bench is better than anyone the Bulls can sub in.
Finals: Boston Celtics Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
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Why Boston Wins: The Celtics have championship experience and they are going to need to lean heavily on that in order to be get passed the dangerous Thunder. Kevin Garnett is going to have to be the MVP of the series going against a developing Thunder front court.
Why Oklahoma City Wins: Russell Westbrook will need to show that he belongs in the conversation with Rajon Rondo as one of the best young point guards in the league. The two are both defensive studs but which one will tip the scales? Kevin Durant is going to get his points but will Westbrook?
Who Wins: Oklahoma City in seven
Sorry Boston, this is the reason you don't make the trade of Kendrick Perkins. In the finals the Celtics lack of front court potency is really going to come back and bit them. Sure they will get in their fare share of haymakers but the knockout goes to the Thunder who are just younger and well... more talented.
