2011 NBA Playoff Predictions: Ranking Chances for Each Team to Overcome Deficit
Less than one week into the 2011 NBA Playoffs and already the drama, sweat and intensity is as good as it gets.
Despite the competitiveness and intriguing matchups week one has shown, teams like the Carmelo Anthony led New York Knicks, Portland Trailblazers and Denver Nuggets are all without wins in the postseason.
Road wins from the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat have the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers on the ropes as well, each of them now down 3-0.
The top two seeds in the West, the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers, both lost home court advantage with wins by the Memphis Grizzlies and CP3 and the New Orleans Hornets in Game 1 of each series. The fourth-seed Orlando Magic in the East lost home court with a Game 1 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
With elimination time for teams right around the corner, here are the chances these underdogs and struggling "top dogs" can come back and win their respective series.
8) Philadelphia 76ers
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Coming in at dead last on the list, the award for the team with the least chance of making a comeback has to be the Philadelphia 76ers, and there's nothing the team can do about it.
The Miami Heat, led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, have put together three solid games of basketball, giving the 76ers close to no chance at even winning a game.
In Game 2 Monday, the Heat took the win by 21 points, holding the 76ers to just 73 points in the contest.
With the way the Heat have risen to the occasion, teams like the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls can't be too pleased for a potential second round or conference finals matchup against the Big Three of Miami.
In the most recent win, after the 76ers looked as if they had the victory at home, Wade and company would take over in the fourth quarter. Wade finished the game with 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
It's not Philadelphia's fault, as they have played the Heat to two tough games in the series, but the Heat are "heating" up at just the right time.
7) Indiana Pacers
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Much like the case of Philadelphia, the Indiana Pacers have struggled mightily in closing out games against the Chicago Bulls. The Pacers now find themselves down 3-0 after a four point loss Thursday night.
Granger has played well for the Pacers, and the team has looked sharp at times, but finishing games continues to be the problem for the young, inexperienced basketball team in Indiana. Their losses against the Bulls have been by five, six and four points.
At the end of the day, the Pacers have an above average scoring threat in Granger, but can't seem to contain arguably the best scoring point guard in the game of basketball in Derrick Rose, who has put up scoring numbers of 39,36 and 23 points this series. Each game Rose was the game-high scorer.
Too much Rose late in games has proven too much for these Pacers to handle. The chances the Pacers come back and win, like the 76ers, is non existent.
6) Denver Nuggets
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The Denver Nuggets have played sounds basketball since making the trade that gave away Carmelo Anthony, but find themselves down 2-0 against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Kevin Durant.
Surprising? No.
Kevin Durant, the league's number one scorer in consecutive seasons, is finding his groove and hitting shots from all angles. Russell Westbrook, a true talent at the point guard position for the Thunder, is on a scoring frenzy like his "partner-in-crime" Durant.
Each of the two rank in the top seven for scoring this postseason, with Durant ranked third with 32 points per game, while in seventh is Westbrook, averaging 26 a game.
To the Nugget's defense, they lack a "go-to-guy" and don't have a player to run the offense through in the fourth quarter.
Even teams like the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs, who are more in tune with the team concept of basketball, have go-to-guys in Paul Pierce and Manu Ginobili.
Originally, I had the Nuggets winning in six games. The only way that would happen now is if all three of San Antonio's veteran superstars (Ginobili, Parker and Duncan) called it quits. The Nuggets stand more of a chance than the 76ers or Pacers, but not much more.
5) New York Knicks
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When Bill Walker is trying to create his own shot, while Jared Jeffries is getting final second touches to win ball games, you have a problem.
The New York Knicks have found themselves down 2-0 to the Boston Celtics after two games in TD Garden. Both games came down to final possessions, where the Celtics boasted their playoff experience, as head coach Doc Rivers was able to lift the C's to two victories.
To the Knicks credit, there was no Chauncey Billups or Amar'e Stoudemire in Game 2, and they may be without Billups for several more games in the series. In spite of the injury problems, the Knicks have had chances to take home each of the two games in Boston, which is impressive to say the least.
Anthony had 42 points and 17 rebounds in the Game 2 loss to the C's; talk about a performance.
The Knicks inexperience and lack of chemistry is apparent, as the Celtics will likely take the series in five. The chance the Knicks come back and win the series is better than any other team without a win in the playoffs, but that will not be enough. There is a chance, but it's slim to none.
4) Portland Trailblazers
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The Portland Trailblazers were a favorite upset of many fans across the league, as they were playing the soft, "can't get it done in the playoffs," offense based team in the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks have been on a mission, and have proven their worth after winning both games at home.
Before Game 3, the Trailblazers looked both unlikely, and ill-equipped to make a comeback run against Dallas. On Thursday night, the tide turned, as the Trailblazers won by seven at home in a must-win situation.
In Game 1, the Mavericks won 101-89, with Nowitzki scoring a game-high 33 points. In the win, it seemed as if the Mavericks had everything going offensively, hitting open shots and playing good enough defense.
Kidd has also played well, giving fans glimpses of his golden days in the league as one of the better point guards to grace the NBA.
With Roy back in the rotation, and key players in LaMarcus Aldridge and Andre Miller having favorable match-ups, the Trailblazers still stand a chance. They are 30-11 at home and were streaking going into the playoffs.
Only time will tell, but with home court coming for Portland, Dallas could find themselves searching for answers fast. They are the first on the list who are legitimately in contention for coming back and winning the series.
3) Orlando Magic
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The 2011 NBA Defensive Player of the Year is living it up this postseason, making his case as arguably the best player in the playoffs through one week of play.
Dwight Howard has been putting on a showcase thus far, averaging 39.5 points and 19 rebounds in the first two games; stat lines that are off the charts.
Aside from some help from Jameer Nelson, it has been as close to a "one-man-show" as it gets in Orlando.
After two games with the Atlanta Hawks, the Orlando Magic find themselves tied 1-1, losing their home court advantage after a surprising Game 1 loss to the Hawks.
This season, the Hawks are winners of four of six games played against the Magic, exploiting match-up problems and playing tough perimeter defense.
Despite losing home court advantage, the Magic should, and will regain the advantage. Once players like J.J. Redick, Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu begin to step-up offensively, the Magic should take care of the Hawks.
The Hawks are tough, but the Magic are simply better.
I'll take Superman on my side any day of the week. The Hawks lack much of an answer in the front court, to put it lightly.
2) San Antonio Spurs
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Manu Ginobili is back, and the Spurs bounced back in Game 2, beating the Memphis Grizzlies.
The difference between Game 1 and Game 2 was that the Spurs looked like the better team from start to finish.
In Game 1, Memphis came out like the team to beat, with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol imposing their will in the paint and on the glass.
The return of Ginobili is key for the Spurs, as losing home court advantage doesn't seem to be much of an issue any longer. More than likely, the Spurs will take one of two games at Memphis, bringing home the series at two games a piece in San Antonio.
The chances the Spurs take home court advantage back and win the series is probable. A team that has been there, done that, the Spurs are deep, and have veteran players that will take games on their back and win ball games in the fourth.
1) Los Angeles Lakers
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Despite a Game 1 loss to Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets, the Lakers are back and moving forward, wining in dominating fashion in Game 2.
If there's one team that doesn't have to worry about a tough, grind-it-out series, it's the Kobe Bryant lead Los Angeles Lakers.
In the 2010 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers faced a similar situation with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kevin Durant and company had the Lakers nearly playing a seventh game. A last second layup by Pau Gasol in Game 6 would have the Lakers moving on to round two.
Not to mention, this is a team that has playoff experience and top notch coaching in Phil Jackson.
There is a reason this Lakers team is seeking their third consecutive NBA championship and fourth consecutive NBA Finals appearance.
With Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum making adjustments to their games as of late, the Lakers look an even more balanced, dominant team.
Tied 1-1 with New Orleans, look for L.A. to take one of two games in New Orleans, taking a 2-2 series back to Staples Center with home court on their side. Los Angeles has the best chance of any team to take back home court and win the series, as Bryant and company have proven their worth time and again.
As Mark Jackson puts it best in reference to Bryant: "Mama, there goes that man."
Bryant will step-up his play and ultimately be the difference for the Lakers, as the team should see no problems advancing over the Hornets.
