Miami Heat Vs. New York Knicks and Five Top First Round Matchups To Root For
Celtics vs the Bulls or Heat, the Lakers vs. the Spurs and the Finals are a few of the playoff matchups that many people look forward to. But there are several potential matchups that could be exciting in the first round, like the Celtics/Bulls series in 2009, one of the best playoff series' ever.
Whether because of potential upsets, history, star power, intriguing individual matchups or other reasons, there are several potential playoff matchups worth getting excited about.
Rivals clashing in the first round? Five all-stars in one series? This could be a late April to remember.
Miami Heat Vs. the New York Knicks
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This matchup can happen if the Knicks fight their way back up to the six seed or the Heat can get the two seed.
Can you imagine a seven game series of LeBron, D-Wade and Bosh vs Amar'e, Melo and Mr. Big Shot? Fans and NBA members already have to be drooling over that possibility.
Add to that a semi-rivalry between the teams (going back to the '99 playoffs), the fact that a team from the biggest and most famous city, New York, will be playing, and the drama that always surrounds both teams, and this could be one for the ages.
The Heat would have the advantage with a superior big three and home-court advantage. But with a Finals' MVP (Billups) and two superstars that have made the Conference Finals the previous two years, and the energy that is generated by the first successful Knick team in years, and you've got a difficult opponent.
I would expect this one to go to six or seven games, each of them hard-fought. It could just be the first of a revitalized rivalry.
Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks
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After a beatdown by the Magic in the second round last year, the Hawks will be out for revenge. Unfortunately for them, they don't have any kryptonite for Orlando's superman, Dwight Howard. Undersized center/forward Al Horford has a difficult time handling Howard, and you can't rely on production from Jason Collins, Zaza Pachulia and Etan Thomas whatsoever. The Hawks will likely be forced to double, leaving Orlando's plethora of perimeter players open.
What makes this series so interesting, besides the history, is that these are two of the most inconsistent teams in the league. Dwight Howard always produces, but other than that, the Magic rely heavily on the three, which may or may not be falling. Also, after Howard, there are no really good defenders on the team.
The Hawks rely on jumpshots and fastbreak points, two things which you can't count on in the playoffs. They can be the Jekyl/Hyde team of the NBA, getting blown out by bad teams and beating the best teams on occasions.
If the Hawks can get out and score on the break and are knocking their shots down, they have a very good chance. If the Magic are hitting a large percentage of their threes, though, it will be an uphill climb for Atlanta.
I expect a much more interesting series this year, but I still think this matchup favors Orlando. We could be seeing a Southwest rivalry between these two quite often, as they seem pretty solidified at the middle of their conference in the playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies
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Two of their advantages in normal games for the Lakers are 1. Kobe Bryant and 2. Their front line (Bynum, Gasol, Odom).
There is not yet such a thing as a "Kobe Stopper" in the playoffs, as has been proved year after year. However, the Grizzlies have two of the best "Kobe Slow-down-ers" in Shane Battier and Tony Allen. Battier played legendary defense on Kobe in the 2009 playoffs, which helped keep the Rockets alive for seven games, and Allen has spent time guarding him in the two Finals matchups between Boston and L.A.
While Kobe will always get his in a playoff series, he can't be looking forward to having not one, but both of these guys against him in the first round.
The Grizzlies also have one of the best, and most underrated, 4/5 combos in Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol (the Gasol brothers also would give an added dynamic to the matchup) who won't be pushed around by the LA frontline.
Memphis has shown resiliency and maturity this season for the first time in years this year and could fight their way to a seven seed. They could provide a fight for the Lakers similar to the Thunder last year.
Ultimately, though, the Lakers have a few things going for them (namely, being the Lakers). They have plenty of experience, which usually wins out; they know how to win and still badly want to. And I don't believe for one second that the NBA will let the Los Angeles Lakers lose to a team like Memphis (just ask the 2002 Kings, the 2000 Blazers or others) and miss out on featuring them in following rounds.
Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers
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You can never safely predict the Mavericks as playoff winners. They are always a top team in the regular season but inconsistent starting in April. Although the only time the two met in the playoffs was in the 2003 season, they always seem to have good regular season games.
Though devastated by injury after injury, Portland has shown resolve and still is very talented. They also have one of the best homecourts in the league according to many and are a versatile and well-coached squad.
Breakout star LaMarcus Aldridge has had a lot of good games versus his hometown Mavericks of late, and I would look forward to seeing how many times his lack of an all-star berth is questioned while he puts up 25+ points up against Dallas. Andre Miller is always a beast in a first round series and scored 52 in a game versus Dallas last year.
With a clutch Brandon Roy, new addition Gerald Wallace and several very good young players, Portland's wing players outmatch Dallas'. The Mavericks guard lineup, featuring Jason Kidd and several players standing six feet or less, is good on offense but often a defensive liability. Portland's ability to exploit that will be key.
In theory, Portland has a lot of good defenders to throw at Dirk, but he just seems to knock down everything regardless of that. Dallas has shown improved defense, which will be a boon to them in the playoffs. If Caron Butler makes a return, he could be a major boost.
Portland's health, as always, is a concern.
I say this is a 50-50 matchup and will go to six or seven games.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets
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The Nuggets have been rolling since trading Carmelo and have been playing a team game. They will have nothing to lose and a lot to prove in the playoffs. They are deep and have been playing improved defense lately, two things that are very helpful in the playoffs.
The Thunder are now built for the playoffs with the addition of Kendrick Perkins. Besides his stellar role play, he brings an underrated, but essential, component: Finals experience. OKC has great size and will also possess the two best players in the potential matchup with all-stars Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook.
There will be a lot of pressure on the rising Thunder team to win their first playoff series, while the Nuggets will have little. Westbrook has the tendency to turn the ball over a lot, while Durant still occasionally will put up 10-for-30 nights up from the floor.
Durant vs Danillo Gallinari will be a very intriguing matchup. Durant is the superior player, but Gallinari is like a poor white man's version of him, getting to the line often (and converting) and possessing a nice, impossible to stop, jumpshot. If Gallo can play up, they have a chance.
Ultimately, I would expect the more-talented Thunder team to win, but the Nuggets will fight hard.
J.R. Smith could be a key. If he is being the knuckle-head, shoot 30 percent from the floor version of himself, they are done. If he is his Kobe Bryant, hit any shot from the floor, score 30 a game while helping the team self which he displays on rare occasions, watch out.
Honorable Mentions: New Orleans Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers
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The Hornets, with Chris Paul and David West, a good coach and the best role-player they have had for years, will be dangerous if they are playing like they have in the highs of their roller coaster season.
The Sixers have been one of the hottest and most improved teams this season.
I just don't see matchups involving these teams that seem as intriguing. The Hornets against the Lakers would be a good one, but at the same time, any series involving the two-time defending champs is intriguing.
The Sixers are good, but I don't see them as a good matchup for their potential opponents because they lack necessary size to compete with Boston or Orlando or to punish Miami. But I can see them stretching a series to six games.
