I haven't talked about the NBA on here in ages and the NBA playoffs are probably the only time I would sit down and watch an entire NBA game, not because I don't like hoops, I of course do, I just don't have a team I follow like a I follow Virginia in college basketball. But it is playoffs time so I'm just going to give a few thoughts about each first-round series.
Heat vs. Bucks: Miami is up 1-0 in this series, winning 110-87 on Sunday night. LeBron James had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. I don't think I can see Milwaukee winning a game in this series. If it does, it would be because the Heat are bored and just take their foot off the gas for a game.
Hawks vs. Pacers: Is there a definition of a more "meh" series? Two teams that just don't get me excited. In reality, though, Indiana, along with New York, are probably the only teams in the East that can challenge the Heat for the conference crown. Rising Pacers star Paul George might help boost interest; he tallied a triple-double Sunday night as Indiana won the series opener, 107-90. Former UVa star Mike Scott is on the Hawks, so that should help with local interest, as well, though he doesn't play much. He tallied two points and a rebound in a minute of action Sunday. In the Hawks' final regular season game of the series, with starters resting, Scott saw his most extensive action of the season, tallying 23 points and 14 rebounds in a loss to the Knicks.
Knicks vs. Celtics: The Knicks clamped down on the Celtics in the second half of Game 1 of this series Saturday, allowing just 25 points to cruise to a 85-78 victory. Boston might have some inspiration to draw from a healing city after the Boston Marathon bombings but I just don't think the Celtics have what it takes to win four games, but they can probably scratch out two wins. With a brilliant stretch run of the regular season, New York's Carmelo Anthony won the NBA scoring title.
Nets vs. Bulls: Derrick Rose most likely won't play at all this season and Chicago just isn't the same without him. With him, the Bulls can challenge the Heat, but without him, they are probably going down to Brooklyn 4-2 or 4-1 in this series. Deron Williams tallied 23 points for the Nets as they won in Game 1, 106-89.
Thunder vs. Rockets: Oklahoma City easily took care of Houston in Game 1 Sunday night, 120-91. This should be a very fun-to-watch series for two reasons. First, the Rockets were second in the league in points per game in the regular season and the Thunder were third. Second, Houston star James Harden is playing his old team where he was a dynamite sixth man.
Lakers vs. Spurs: The Lakers really fought to make the playoffs and got on a bit of a nice streak but with Kobe Bryant now injured, there is just no way they can win a series. With him, I probably would have liked them to knock off San Antonio, which won Game 1 Sunday handily, 91-79.
Nuggets vs. Warriors: This should be another great series, as both teams like to get up and down the floor. Denver was crazy this season on its home floor, going 38-3, best home record in the league. The Nuggets won Game 1 Saturday, 97-95, in Denver. That might have been Golden State's chance to steal one in Denver. It could be tough for the Warriors to win the series now.
Grizzlies vs. Clippers: High-flying offense of Los Angeles vs. stingy defense of Memphis. The lights of L.A. won in Game 1, 112-91. This could be a great series that could go seven games. The razzle dazzle of the Clippers will make for a good contrast against the grit and grind-it-out style of the Grizzlies.
Finals prediction: I'm not going to very original here, and pick the Heat and the Thunder to meet for the championship in a rematch of last year's NBA Finals. Miami needs seven games to knocks off the Thunder, but James and Dwyane Wade and the gang find a way to grab their second title in as many years.
Heat vs. Bucks: Miami is up 1-0 in this series, winning 110-87 on Sunday night. LeBron James had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. I don't think I can see Milwaukee winning a game in this series. If it does, it would be because the Heat are bored and just take their foot off the gas for a game.
Hawks vs. Pacers: Is there a definition of a more "meh" series? Two teams that just don't get me excited. In reality, though, Indiana, along with New York, are probably the only teams in the East that can challenge the Heat for the conference crown. Rising Pacers star Paul George might help boost interest; he tallied a triple-double Sunday night as Indiana won the series opener, 107-90. Former UVa star Mike Scott is on the Hawks, so that should help with local interest, as well, though he doesn't play much. He tallied two points and a rebound in a minute of action Sunday. In the Hawks' final regular season game of the series, with starters resting, Scott saw his most extensive action of the season, tallying 23 points and 14 rebounds in a loss to the Knicks.
Knicks vs. Celtics: The Knicks clamped down on the Celtics in the second half of Game 1 of this series Saturday, allowing just 25 points to cruise to a 85-78 victory. Boston might have some inspiration to draw from a healing city after the Boston Marathon bombings but I just don't think the Celtics have what it takes to win four games, but they can probably scratch out two wins. With a brilliant stretch run of the regular season, New York's Carmelo Anthony won the NBA scoring title.
Nets vs. Bulls: Derrick Rose most likely won't play at all this season and Chicago just isn't the same without him. With him, the Bulls can challenge the Heat, but without him, they are probably going down to Brooklyn 4-2 or 4-1 in this series. Deron Williams tallied 23 points for the Nets as they won in Game 1, 106-89.
Thunder vs. Rockets: Oklahoma City easily took care of Houston in Game 1 Sunday night, 120-91. This should be a very fun-to-watch series for two reasons. First, the Rockets were second in the league in points per game in the regular season and the Thunder were third. Second, Houston star James Harden is playing his old team where he was a dynamite sixth man.
Lakers vs. Spurs: The Lakers really fought to make the playoffs and got on a bit of a nice streak but with Kobe Bryant now injured, there is just no way they can win a series. With him, I probably would have liked them to knock off San Antonio, which won Game 1 Sunday handily, 91-79.
Nuggets vs. Warriors: This should be another great series, as both teams like to get up and down the floor. Denver was crazy this season on its home floor, going 38-3, best home record in the league. The Nuggets won Game 1 Saturday, 97-95, in Denver. That might have been Golden State's chance to steal one in Denver. It could be tough for the Warriors to win the series now.
Grizzlies vs. Clippers: High-flying offense of Los Angeles vs. stingy defense of Memphis. The lights of L.A. won in Game 1, 112-91. This could be a great series that could go seven games. The razzle dazzle of the Clippers will make for a good contrast against the grit and grind-it-out style of the Grizzlies.
Finals prediction: I'm not going to very original here, and pick the Heat and the Thunder to meet for the championship in a rematch of last year's NBA Finals. Miami needs seven games to knocks off the Thunder, but James and Dwyane Wade and the gang find a way to grab their second title in as many years.
You are underestimating the Boston Celtics. And Miami will choke.
ReplyDelete^I'm as big a Celtics fan as anybody, but even I don't think we really have a shot to win the series. Maybe force a game 7.
ReplyDeleteI have a sinking feeling that we're going to face a certain 90s Chicago Bulls-style inevitability around the Miami Heat for the next 6 or 7 years. Why does that always happen to teams I hate?