NBA Playoffs 2011: Eastern and Western Conference Finals Predictions
The 2011 NBA playoffs are drawing to an end.
Only four teams are left.I predicted Miami, Chicago and Oklahoma City would all still be alive by this point. Dallas pulled the surprise of the playoffs sweeping the L.A. Lakers.
These two matchups will easily house the best games we have seen up to this point in the playoffs. All four of these teams are pretty evenly matched, so this is definitely an exciting time for any NBA fan.
My predictions will most likely be unexpected, and I'm sure many of you won't agree with me, but I don't think these matchups will end up like most people expect.
Here's what I see transpiring in the conference finals rounds.
Dallas vs. OKC
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Dallas swept L.A. in the semifinals with ease. Beyond the first game, the series wasn't even close, including a 36-point blowout to top off the deciding Game 4. Dallas proved they are for real and have the potential to win it all this season.
OKC had an epic showdown with Memphis that took all seven games to decide. This took a lot of energy from an inexperienced team; beyond Kendrick Perkins, very few players on this team have any experience in a conference finals atmosphere. Even though the Thunder are not as rested as Dallas, I think they bring a lot of momentum after the series with the Grizzles. This could be key in this series.
Perkins and Serge Ibaka are both pretty sound defensive players, so it will be up to them to decide this matchup. If they can stop Dirk, OKC will win this series. If they cannot they will lose.
Dallas will have to keep up with the tandem of Durant and Westbrook. JJ Barea has played well in the playoffs, but he is not a defensive stopper, and Jason Kidd is well past his prime. Westbrook will put up monster numbers this series. Caron Butler might have done an OK job of handling Durant, but Shawn Marion and whoever else they throw at him will not.
This will be a pretty gritty series, no doubt about it. OKC just has the better matchup against Dallas that will pull them through.
PREDICTION: OKC in six games.
Chicago vs. Miami
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Despite not having home-court advantage, Miami goes into this series as the favorite.
After dismantling Boston, the Heat look like they are at the top of their game. LeBron even hit clutch shots in that series, which is something he hasn't done all year.
Chicago has been far from impressive the whole playoffs and look like they may be losing their step.
These two clubs were among the top five in nearly every defensive category this season. If Chicago is to win this series, they have to stop the transition baskets for which the Heat are known.
The Heat, on the other hand, only need to stop Derrick Rose to win this series.
Sounds easy, stop one player; it won't be easy for the Heat. Miami has struggled all year against teams with good point guards and centers. One of the reasons they got past Boston so easily was because Rajon Rondo was slowed with injures.
If Rose steps up and plays at an MVP level (he is the reigning MVP after all), the Bulls will win this series. Chicago also has two more things going for them in this series: home-court advantage and a 3-0 record against Miami this season.
Miami and Chicago are nearly polar opposites. Miami's offense and most of their defense comes from three guys, while Chicago plays a team game. Basketball is still a team game, and Chicago has proven they are the better team.
They will win this series. Easily.
PREDICTION: Chicago in six games.
