2011 NBA Playoff Predictions: Projecting Winners for Each First Round Series
Each playoff match up is locked and the NBA playoffs start in just two days. This is the best time of the year for NBA fans.
This year won't be the year of upsets, however I think a few teams will shock us. Portland, New York and even the lowly 76ers could easily ground the playoff hopes of higher seeded teams.
What will be in store over the next week and a half for NBA fans? A lot of action, drama, excitement and all the other good stuff that comes with the first round of playoff basketball.
Chicago vs. Indiana
1 of 8
Derrick Rose is the talk of MVP town and for good reason. The injury-plagued Bulls locked down the best record in the NBA despite losing Joakim Noah for 34 games, and Carlos Boozer for 23 games. All the credit can't go to Derrick Rose alone, but he was the reason the Bulls finished with the best record in the NBA. Chicago also made a commitment to defense under Tom Thibodeau. The Bulls finished first in opponents field goal percentage (.430) and second (91.3) in fewest points allowed per game.
I am glad to see the Pacers make the playoffs again. I believe they have a great young nucleus and may be contenders in a few years if that talent blossoms.
With this being said, the Bulls will have no problem dismantling the eighth-seeded Pacers.
Bulls won the season series 3-1.
Chicago wins 4-0.
Miami vs. Philly
2 of 8
I planned on posting a picture of the big three here, but since Jrue Holiday was destroyed by Dwight Howard the other night I'm going to show him some love. Miami comes into this series with the most to lose. They didn't fulfill expectations this year despite having a 58-24 record.
Let's not forget however that Miami still leads the league in point differential (+7.46). Let's also not forget how bad they have been in the clutch and in close games. As long as Miami carries an eight point or more lead going into the fourth quarter I don't see them losing. If the 76ers keep it close Miami may be in trouble. If the 76ers gain a 2-0 series lead they will go on to win the series. I don't think Miami has the mental toughness to rally from being down two games.
Don't count the 76ers out of this series, but don't expect them to win either.
Miami won the season series 3-0.
Miami wins 4-1.
Boston vs. New York
3 of 8
Boston vs. New York will be the best first round playoff match of the year. We have the best defensive team in the league in Boston, versus the third worst defensive team in the league in New York. Defense wins NBA basketball games. However in this match up it will be New York's offense that wins.
The Celtics came out of the gate with a decent win streak after trading star center Kendrick Perkins. However that subsided quickly and now Boston is playing their worst basketball of the year. The Knicks however are playing their best basketball since trading for Carmelo Anthony, and things are clicking for them. Despite losing their last two games of the season, they have won seven out of their last 10. Star power-foward Amare Stoudemire will be back for the playoffs as well.
I don't have any statistical basis to use here, but Carmelo and Amare are ready to prove that New York is a contender. I think New York will beat the flailing Celtics. If Kevin Garnet and Rajon Rondo play well though, this series will go in a completely different direction.
Boston won the season series 4-0.
New York wins 4-3.
Orlando vs. Atlanta
4 of 8
If Derrick Rose didn't exist, Dwight Howard without a doubt would be the MVP this season. Howard should once again win defensive player of the year. No single player affects as many shots as Howard, and his improved post play has made it much harder to guard him.
Many people believe Orlando traded away their defense mid-season to acquire a better offensive arsenal, however this is not the case. Orlando still ranks fourth in opponents points per game, and fourth in opponents shot percentage. The Magic will win this series despite losing the season series 3-1, because Atlanta will not be able to contain Howard's new found consistency.
Atlanta won season series 3-1.
Orlando wins 4-2.
San Antonio vs. Memphis
5 of 8
This will be an interesting match up for sure. These two teams split the season series at two games a piece. We have also seen San Antonio spiral downward since the All-Star break while Memphis played extremely well.
Memphis could pull an upset...if Rudy Gay wasn't down for the season. Despite how well Zach Randolph and the rest of the team has played in Gay's absence, I don't see them pulling out an upset over the much better Spurs team.
Season Series tied 2-2.
San Antonio wins 4-1.
Los Angeles vs. New Orleans
6 of 8
The Lakers have been the most streaky team that has won two straight championships ever. That being said, they're the Lakers and have won the last two NBA titles. I feel bad for New Orleans—they may have had a shot against Dallas or if David West didn't have season ending surgery. Nothing short of a miracle or complete Laker collapse will allow the Hornets to win this match up.
LA won the season series 4-0.
LA wins 4-0.
Dallas vs. Portland
7 of 8
This match up should be a good one. Both teams have had key players go down. For Dallas, it was Caron Butler. For Portland it was Greg Oden. Both teams finished the season 6-4 as well.
Dallas is the deeper team, but Portland has a lot of threats as well. What this match up comes down to is Dirk Nowitzki and LeMarcus Aldridge—whichever one comes up bigger will probably determine which team wins.
Gerald Wallace could be the hero of this match up. He has averaged 15.8 points and nearly eight rebounds since joining the Trail Blazers at the NBA trade deadline. If he can come close to his season averages he could be the X-factor.
Dallas has been known to slip and exit the playoffs early. This year might be an exception, but I think Dallas will fall again early and the Trail Blazers will pull off an upset.
Season series tied 2-2.
Portland wins 4-3.
OKC vs. Denver
8 of 8
Other than the Knicks and Celtics, this will be the year's best first round series. These teams have totally different styles. OKC relies heavily on its one-two punch of Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook, while Denver has an incredibly deep team led by no particular player.
What this match up will come down to is can Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook carry this young team past a better overall team? They can and will. They proved all year that they are the best duo in the league, except for maybe Lebron James and Dwayne Wade.
Mid-season pick-up Kendrick Perkins will be big in this match up but not as big as he could potentially be against the Spurs or Lakers. Look for this match up to utilize all seven games.
OKC won season series 3-1.
OKC wins 4-3.
