NBA Preview: Playoffs and Awards
EASTERN CONFERENCE
FIRST ROUND
Boston (1) over Milwaukee (8), 4-1
I don't see the Celtics having the same problems with Milwaukee that they had with the Hawks in the first round last year. The C's should cruise past the Bucks, who don't have loads of playoff experience.
Cleveland (4) over Miami (5), 4-2
Wow, this is a dream match-up. LeBron versus D-Wade. That will be the big match-up within a match-up. The Heat will fall a little short, but look out for them down the road. As for now, the Cavs will get the grudge match against Boston in the semi-finals.
Detroit (2) over Toronto (7), 4-3
The Raptors will come dangerously close to beating the Pistons at home. I like the defensive aspect of this series. Look for Chauncey Billups to take over and bring home the series victory for Mo-Town.
Philadelphia (6) over Orlando (3), 4-3
This is an upset here. The Sixers, who I have penciled in to win 42 games this year will defeat the Magic, who I have winning 54 and the Southeast division. Down the stretch, I think Andre Iguodala will sprout into a playoff stud.
SEMI-FINALS
Boston (1) over Cleveland (4), 4-1
This match-up has me salivating already. However, unlike last year, I see Boston jumping out to an early series lead, and truck past the Cavs. Believe it or not, I think the Celtics are going to shut down LeBron.
Detroit (2) over Philadelphia (6), 4-2
The Sixers get a chance at avenging last year's playoff loss to the Pistons but they'll fall short of pulling another upset. In the end, experience gets the Pistons back to Conference Finals- a place they have been for the past six years.
CONFERENCE FINALS
Boston (1) over Detroit (2), 4-3
In a great series, the Celtics outlast the Pistons. Kevin Garnett will have a fantastic seven games, and of course with the help of Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, Boston will shut down Detroit. I can't imagine the Pistons winning a Game Seven in Boston.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
FIRST ROUND
Utah (1) over Portland (8), 4-3
The Blazers get a good shot at the upset, but Carlos Boozer powers the Jazz to Round Two. Since these two teams play against each other a good number of times in the regular season, it's realistic for this one to go seven games.
New Orleans (4) over Houston (5), 4-3
Another year, another early exit for Tracy McGrady. Chris Paul played great in the playoffs last year, and I see him doing the same this year. For the superstitious NBA fan, James Posey has been on two championship teams (Boston in '08, Miami in '06).
Lakers (2) over Dallas (7), 4-1
The Lakers really look great right now. Last year in the playoffs, they really turned it on. The opposite happened to the Mavs. I don't see Dallas putting up much of a fight against the Lakers, who look poised to win the title.
San Antonio (3) over Phoenix (6), 4-3
This match-up is a classic. I can't think of a bigger playoff rivalry in the last five years that has been bigger and more brutal than the Suns and Spurs. I think back to Nash's bloody nose, and the Suns storming the court and getting technicals. In the end, the Spurs won't lose Game Seven at home.
SEMI-FINALS
New Orleans (4) over Utah (1), 4-3
This series will go down as a classic. The battle of the point guards- CP3 versus D-Will. But beyond that match-up, look for Carlos Boozer and Tyson Chandler to be bruising in the paint, and Peja Stojakovich will help put the Jazz away beyond the arc.
San Antonio (3) over Lakers (2), 4-2
This is how I think this series will break down: San Antonio will take Game One in LA, the Lakers will strike back, and then the Spurs will win two at home. Heading back to LA with momentum, the Spurs will shock everyone by winning this huge Semi Finals series in Los Angeles. Kobe appears unstoppable, but the well-rounded Spurs roll past last years conference champs.
CONFERENCE FINALS
San Antonio (3) over New Orleans (4), 4-3
The Western Conference playoffs continue to be thrilling, as division rivals San Antonio and New Orleans will duke it out. Manu Ginobili will take over, as he tends to do in the playoffs. He can penetrate, draw the fouls that aren't there, and come up big on defense. Tony Parker versus Chris Paul will be a big match-up as well. Each year the Hornets get better, and maybe in 2009-10 they will represent the conference. As for now, the Spurs get back to the Finals.
NBA FINALS
San Antonio (3) over Boston (1), 4-3
This series will mark the return of a good Finals series, something we haven't seen since San Antonio beat Detroit a few years back. Chances are it will be back and forth, and I think Boston might get out to an early series lead. This year, Manu Ginobili will be crowned Finals MVP, and the Spurs defense will shut down the Big Three. Look out for the match-up of Bruce Bowen and Ray Allen, which has been a bitter rivalry going back to the 2005 Finals when Allen was a Sonic. The bi-annual tradition continues with the San Antonio Spurs beating the Celtics in seven games.
AWARDS
MVP- Deron Williams (Utah)
Rookie of the Year- Greg Oden (Portland)
Defensive Player of the Year- Marcus Camby (Clippers)
Sixth Man- Ben Gordon (Chicago)
Coach of the Year- Jerry Sloan (Utah)
Most Improved- Mike Conley Jr. (Memphis)
