2011 NBA Playoff Predictions: The Conference Quarterfinals
Ah, basketball in mid-April can only mean one thing...it's playoffs time!
The 2010-11 season kept everyone in their seats as the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder rose to the occasion as some of the NBA's top teams, while teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics stayed amongst the elite.
However, they are all chasing after the same title that the Los Angeles Lakers have defended two years in a row. The Lakers are once again primed for another run thanks to their star Kobe Bryant and legendary head coach Phil Jackson.
However, the first round gives us a taste of what it could be over the next two months with some great matchups.
Let's take a look at a breakdown of all eight...
Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers
1 of 8
ANALYSIS: Everyone predicted the Chicago Bulls to be good in the Eastern Conference for the future, but no one predicted that they would be this good, this soon. First-year head coach Tom Thibodeau instilled a defensive mindset in this team and it has made Derrick Rose the front runner for Most Valuable Player.
The Indiana Pacers are finally in the playoffs for the first time since 2006 amidst a midseason coaching change. Frank Vogel became interim head coach Jan. 30 and Indiana went 20-17 with him at the helm. The Pacers are led by Danny Granger, who continues to be one of the league’s more underrated players.
SEASON SERIES: Bulls won, 3-1
PREDICTION: Bulls in four
KEY MATCHUP: Joakim Noah vs. Roy Hibbert. While seeing Rose and Granger go off in a scoring shootout is fun, the real focus will be in the paint between Noah and Hibbert. When healthy, Noah is the Bulls’ best rebounder and averaging a double-double for the second consecutive year. On the other hand, Hibbert is an underrated shot blocker, averaging 1.8 blocks a game.
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 1. OK, while this series has a potential sweep written all over it, it will be interesting to see how Indiana comes out of the gate. If they come out firing, they could steal a game. If not, it will be a long four games for the Pacers.
Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers
2 of 8
ANALYSIS: After an interesting first regular season together, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh now get a chance to prove it when it counts. Miami’s Big Three overcame many rough patches during the season and still managed to notch the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. With Wade, James and Bosh being the only Heat players to score in double-digits this year, someone else needs to step up to help out.
The Philadelphia 76ers started the 2010-11 season 3-11, but steadily turned things around thanks to veteran head coach Doug Collins. Collins left TNT’s broadcasting team during the offseason and he did a remarkable job by guiding this team to a .500 record
SEASON SERIES: Heat won, 3-0
PREDICTION: Heat in six
KEY MATCHUP: Wade/James vs. Andre Iguodala. The burning question will be who locks down on Iguodala at all times. If it is based on size, then it is Wade. However if position comes into play, James gets the nod. If the Heat cannot close a particular game, Philadelphia’s other A.I. is more than capable enough to close out a game.
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 3. The last two times the Sixers made the playoffs, they surprisingly took a 2-1 lead against an Eastern Conference contender each time. Given that this is Miami’s first playoff appearance with this core, it is possible that Philadelphia could sneak away with a game or two. Do not be surprised if the 76ers stick around in this series.
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
3 of 8
ANALYSIS: The Boston Celtics are back in the playoffs, but Kendrick Perkins’ midseason departure means that Shaquille and Jermaine O’Neal will need to step up. The Celtics may have faltered down the stretch but they are still dangerous with their playoff experience.
After a seven-year absence, there will be playoff basketball in Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks mirrored the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat by assembling their own Big Three of Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. Despite growing pains, this terrific trio ended the season on a hot streak, winning seven of their last nine games.
SEASON SERIES: Celtics won, 4-0
PREDICTION: Celtics in five
KEY MATCHUP: Boston’s defense vs. New York’s high-tempo offense. The Celtics may miss Kendrick Perkins, but they still have a tough defense that can contain New York’s high-scoring offense. If Boston keeps the scoring down in the mid-90s or less, they will win. If it is a track meet, the outcome favors the Knicks much, much more.
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 3. In order for the Knicks to have a shot at winning this series, they must have at least one win at this point.
Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks
4 of 8
ANALYSIS: The Orlando Magic retooled again this season by getting rid of Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter, while taking in Gilbert Arenas and welcoming back Hedo Turkoglu. However, in spite of all these changes, the Magic still are dangerous thanks to Dwight Howard.
The Atlanta Hawks are an interesting story. In 2008, they took Boston to seven games in the first round but did not really impress anyone over the last two playoff appearances. The shocking thing is that they resigned Joe Johnson in the offseason but traded away Mike Bibby during this season. The Hawks must show a little heart if they want to advance.
SEASON SERIES: Hawks won, 3-1
PREDICTION: Magic in six
KEY MATCHUP: Orlando’s new parts vs. the Hawks willingness to play. An embarrassment was not even the word to describe last year’s Magic/Hawks series in the East semifinals. Crazy thing is that it was the Magic that underwent wholesale changes between then and now. The Hawks won the season series, but it depends on them showing up.
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 3. This will be the first game in Atlanta, and the Hawks cannot lay an egg here. They may survive here though, because this Magic squad is not as good as the last two years. However if they do not, the Hawks will need to make wholesale changes in the offseason.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies
5 of 8
ANALYSIS: The San Antonio Spurs heard that they were too old and that their window of opportunity was shutting, but they sure did not play like it this season. San Antonio went 61-21, even though Popovich scaled back Tim Duncan’s minutes in order to save him for the playoffs. The plan worked beautifully as the Spurs have home court throughout the West playoffs, along with a good mix of veterans and young players.
The Memphis Grizzlies enter the playoffs looking to do something that they have never done—win a playoff game (0-12 in three appearances). However, Memphis boasts a hungry and young team, led by Zach Randolph. Since Rudy Gay’s injury, Randolph continues to show why he was snubbed from the All-Star game, nearly averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds after the break.
SEASON SERIES: Both teams tied, 2-2 (home team won each time)
PREDICTION: Spurs in five
KEY MATCHUP: Tony Parker vs. Mike Conley. This matchup embodies what this series is all about—experience vs. youth.
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 1. Manu Ginobili is a bit dinged up after hyper-extending his elbow, so this might be the best chance for Memphis to steal a game.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Hornets
6 of 8
ANALYSIS: The Los Angeles Lakers may have backed into the playoffs, but if any team knows how to flip the switch whenever it counts, it is them. The defending two-time NBA champions still have arguably the best closer and best player in the game in Kobe Bryant and he is not slowing down any time soon.
Despite the trade demands that Chris Paul gave before the season began, New Orleans made the playoffs and sported one of the league’s best defenses. Aside from Paul, Emeka Okafor, and Trevor Ariza, the Hornets have a team of hard-working players that may not be household names. However, these players will have to step up since David West suffered a season-ending injury.
SEASON SERIES: Lakers won, 4-0
PREDICTION: Lakers in five
KEY MATCHUP: Ron Artest vs. Trevor Ariza. Likely they will not guard each other, so this is about the defensive assignments. Ariza may draw Kobe, while Artest’s job might be to shut down CP3.
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 1. Bynum’s knee is still banged up, so if the Hornets could win one here. However, the Lakers still have the length advantage with Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Portland Trail Blazers
7 of 8
ANALYSIS: The Dallas Mavericks always keep winning, winning 50 games for the 11th year in a row. Dirk Nowitzki continues to show why he is one of the NBA’s top players after averaging 23.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game once again.
No matter what they go through, the Portland Trail Blazers are a dangerous team. LaMarcus Aldridge nearly made the West All-Star team and can arguably be considered as a top 20 player in the league.
SEASON SERIES: both teams tied, 2-2 (home team won each time)
PREDICTION: Mavericks in seven
KEY MATCHUP: Dirk Nowitzki vs. LaMarcus Aldridge. Two of the best power forwards in the game will do battle here. Expect a lot of points between these two.
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 7. This series was dead even in games won and points, and the home team won each time. It is only fitting that seven games will determine this.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets
8 of 8
ANALYSIS: The Oklahoma City Thunder certainly are the team of the future and they have realized their potential. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are both budding stars for the Thunder and it showed as the franchise won its first division title since leaving Seattle.
No Melo? No problem! The Denver Nuggets have stayed on the winning track since trading their once franchise player and Chauncey Billups. The Nuggets finished the season 18-7 without Carmelo and actually looked more like a refreshed team, especially on the defensive end.
SEASON SERIES: Thunder won, 3-1
PREDICTION: Thunder in seven
KEY MATCHUP: Kendrick Perkins vs. Nene. This is one of the main reasons why Oklahoma City traded for Perkins—to match up better against good centers. Nene has really stepped up his rebounding game since the Carmelo Anthony trade, but Perkins gives the Thunder a better defensive presence in the post.
PIVOTAL GAME: Game 6. Any game in Denver has the potential to be pivotal, thanks to the high altitude of the city. The same can be said here. Both teams love to score a lot and we will see many tired legs. Who can win the series here or force a seventh game? We will see.
