NBA Playoffs 2011: Knicks, Hornets or Grizzlies, Who Can Pull off the Upset?
In this weekend's NBA action, the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies stole Game 1 in San Antonio, an impressive performance from Chris Paul and the Hornets helped take down the second-seeded L.A. Lakers at Staples Center, and the New York Knicks came within 12 seconds of sealing a victory on the road against the Boston Celtics.
Talk about a mouthful.
With numerous down-to-the-wire games and impressive team play from the underdogs of the postseason, it can be presumed that this edition of the NBA playoffs will be good, to say the least.
But, for the "less-talented" teams to keep up, there are some questions that need to be answered.
Is the frontcourt tandem of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph for real? With no David West, are Chris Paul and the Hornets deep enough to continue to beat the Lakers? If Carmelo Anthony comes to play, can the Knicks take down the reigning Eastern Conference champions, the Boston Celtics?
Join B/R and me in analyzing whether or not these underdogs have what it takes to move past the "big dogs" in each conference.
Can Chris Paul and the Hornets Compete with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers?
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The Los Angeles Lakers are in panic mode, and should be to an extent.
The sluggish-looking Lakers team struggled mightily in the last seven games of the season, winning just two. Including the 109-100 loss to the Hornets in Game 1, the Lakers have lost a total of six of their last eight games played.
Chris Paul's stat line was downright jaw-dropping, as CP3 posted a team-high 33 points and 14 assists, while also managing to grab seven rebounds and four steals.
All the more impressive, Paul shot 11-of-18 from the field and turned the ball over just twice the entire game. He threaded the needle at odd angles while creating his own shots in the second half, proving to be too much to handle for the Lakers on Sunday.
The Hornets played the better basketball as a team, and got it done late in the game. With a total of 36 points in the fourth quarter, the Hornets looked unflappable, while the Lakers looked as rusty as they have all season.
There is something to keep in mind, however.
The Lakers are still the two-time defending NBA champions. These Lakers don't exactly "mess around" when the team's back is put against the wall.
Last postseason, the Lakers had a tough duel with Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder, who gave the Lakers a tough six games in the first-round matchup.
A stat to keep in mind from the Sunday loss: the Lakers still out-rebounded the Hornets, 41-33. As long as Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest continue to close out on the glass, the Lakers should begin to regain momentum with time.
The bigger issue was on offense, where the Lakers looked to only have one real option—Kobe Bryant. According to ESPN's Michael Smith, Kobe Bryant and company are 14-0 when Bryant takes 15 or less shots.
It's important that the Lakers get back to the style of play they are accustomed to, with anywhere from two to four players in double figures offensively.
Prediction
In the end, Kobe Bryant and company will be too much for Chris Paul and the Hornets to handle. The Lakers boast size and rebounding ability in the paint that the Hornets, as well as most teams in the NBA, can't compete with.
Keep in mind: before losing six of their last eight games, these Lakers were winners of 17 of their last 18 games.
The Lakers should regain momentum in the series and win in six games, 4-2.
Can Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol Help the Grizzlies Take Down the No. 1 Spurs?
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The Memphis Grizzlies looked awfully impressive in their 101-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs Sunday at the AT&T Center.
Because Memphis is without Rudy Gay, many reasonably questioned the ability of this young, streaking Grizzlies team. After the Game 1 performance, perhaps the questions have been answered.
The sixth-best shooting team in the league kept its offense going strong, hitting over 55 percent of its shots and going six-of-10 from distance in the victory over the Manu Ginobili-less Spurs.
Marc Gasol was an especially efficient 9-of-10 from the floor in a 24-point effort, while also grabbing nine boards and blocking two shots. Zach Randolph was a vital contributor as well, scoring a team-high 25 points and reeling in 14 boards of his own.
With an older, not-as-consistent frontcourt in San Antonio, the Grizzlies might just have the advantage in the series.
The thing that makes the Spurs scary is this—they lost a game, wherein they were ultimately out-played, by three points. The Grizzlies shot over 55 percent, while the Spurs shot just 40 percent from the field. The Grizzlies had 22 assists, while the Spurs had just 13. The Spurs were also without Manu Ginobili, who was sidelined due to injury.
Prediction
Despite the San Antonio Spurs being the No. 1 seed in the West and grabbing 60 wins in the regular season, it's important to keep in mind that the playoffs are all about matchups. The Grizzlies have a significant advantage in the frontcourt, where they have looked flawless as of late.
San Antonio's advantage is in its playoff experience, as the Spurs boast the likes of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili who have "been there, done that."
In the end, tough defense from the Grizzlies starting five and efficient play inside will make life difficult for the Popovich-led Spurs, as Randolph and company should take the series in a hard-fought seven games, 4-3.
Will Chauncey Billups and the New Big Three Take Down the Celtics' Big Three?
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After many gave the Boston Celtics Game 1 in Boston prior to tip-off, they were left shaken up, because the New York Knicks put together an unexpectedly effective game plan.
New York lost the game, but for two-and-a-half quarters, the Celtics had no effective offense, and gave up open looks time and time again to the Knicks, who pride themselves on their ability to hit those shots in the half-court set.
Amar'e Stoudemire was imposing his will on the offensive end, scoring a game-high 28 points and collecting 11 rebounds. Fourteen of the 28 points came in the fourth quarter.
The problem, however, was just that.
Other than Stoudemire, no other Knicks player seemed to step up in the fourth quarter. The Knicks did everything right to win the basketball game, aside from finishing in the last several minutes of play.
Other than a big, three-point shot from Toney Douglas to put the Knicks up three with just under one minute remaining, the Knicks ran an inconsistent, dry offense late in the fourth quarter. Execution offensively was poor to put it mildly, as Stoudemire, who had been hot throughout the quarter, got no touches in the team's last eight possessions, according to ESPN.
Defensively, the Knicks played exceptionally well, allowing just 39 first-half points and forcing Rajon Rondo to try and score while keeping the rest of the Celtics team out of sync. Until the last 20 minutes of the game, the game plan worked wonders.
Prediction
The Knicks played a great Game 1 and will likely give the C's a run for their money in this first-round series. Yet, when push comes to shove, Boston's Big Three will push the experienced Celtics passed the New York Knicks in five games, 4-1.
Chauncey Billups is questionable for a return to action, and the Knicks would suffer mightily with Toney Douglas and Anthony Carter at the point guard position. To a certain degree, they are solid role players, but are not capable of replacing the experience, toughness and physical style that Billups brings to the table.
If Billups returns promptly, the Knicks may push the series to six games, but it will take 20-30-point efforts from both Stoudemire and Anthony to get the two wins. The Knicks have much promise for the future, but for the time being, they lack depth and sufficient team chemistry.
The Results: Which Underdog(s) Will Come out on Top?
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Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Hornets
CP3 will continue to be CP3, as the Hornets will play the series tough. The Hornets had a sound game plan for Game 1, but Bryant and the Lakers will win the series, 4-2, with overwhelming talent in the front line.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis has been sizzling and only looks to get hotter. The same team that beat the Spurs twice in the month of March will continue its hot play, taking the series, 4-3, from the San Antonio Spurs.
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
Anthony will put up a couple of monster performances, but Boston will take the series, 4-1 or 4-2, with Chauncey Billups return in Game 3. The reigning Eastern Conference champions will keep the momentum going from the second half of Game 1.
