The Playoffs have sure lived up to expectations. Lets take a closer look at the match ups :
Semi Final Lineup
Bulls vs Heat - While the Bulls have managed to get under the skin of James & company, with the injury problems plaguing them, they just dont have the firepower. Only a matter of game 5 for Miami to close the round and move on. Would it have made a difference if Derrick Rose had played? - Well, i definitely think so. Rose could have provided some offensive support and at least made sure that the hard earned playoff semi final berth is not being squandered.
Pacers vs Knicks - The Knicks are an offense powerhouse and not that great on defense. In fact very similar to OKC. They have always rallied on the shooting of Carmelo and it is only natural that he will have a few bad nights. Given the intensity of the playoffs, that will cost them this round. The Pacers are gritty (like Memphis) and take the game to the paint, converting high percentage shots. Of course, Paul George is high on confidence and even if he misses, he knows he has the big guys to support him. For NYK, Chandler will not be enough to counter that.
OKC vs Memphis - This series has been very entertaining, especially given two different styles of basketball at play. OKC with finesse and shooting capabilities of Durant against the defensive big guy line up of Memphis. Gasol and Randolph are just too much to handle for the Thunder team and Ibaka will not be able to contain both. Like i mentioned above, this series is very similar to the Knicks and Pacers match up. Memphis have been very impressive, converting high percentage shots and most importantly playing defense that is hard to break. Memphis will take this series by Game 6. Is the Westbrook injury costing Thunder a lot - probably yes, but I would have still given the edge to Memphis going to game 7.
GSW vs Spurs - GSW has surprised all of us with their aggression and the hunger to play in the big league. Curry and Thompson have been just unbelievable managing to rattle the veteran Spurs who know how to win the ring. While the series is leveled right now, I give the edge to Spurs to win the series, simply because they know how to win the playoffs. The experience of this team, backed by the best coach in the league, the Spurs will hold an edge. They need to find an answer to Curry's insane run of 3-pointers that they just cant seem to contain. This series should end by game 6, but hats off to GSW for displaying the level of basketball of the highest standard. The future for GSW, they need defense in the front court - a center/power forward who will take care of business in the paint defensively. Bogut does have the potential to do that.
Where does that leave us with the next round :
Heat vs Pacers - This will be a closely fought series. The Pacers know how to beat the Heat. The deciding factor, will be Chris Bosh. He hasn't been playing very well so far in the series. It is simple, if Bosh comes to the party, then Heat will take the series. In either case, I think it will go down to game 7 and Heat will win.
Memphis vs Spurs - This is a match up I would love to watch. The series will go down to the game 7 again, and the deciding factor will be Tim Duncan. He is old and not at his quickest best. Having said that, he has won championships and is mentally a strong candidate. Popovich will sure have his strategy mapped out. Each shot will be contested heavily and we will see a lot of perimeter shooting from Parker and Ginobili. I think the Spurs will take the series.
NBA Finals :
Spurs vs Heat - Oh what a match up. Two teams who are mentally strong and have been there before. At this point, I think the trio of James-Wade-Bosh will trump the Duncan-Parker-Ginobili lineup. It will be a hard fought series, but I expect it to close by game 6 with the Heat winning the championship.
Standard Disclaimers apply - Injuries can make a lot of difference to the predictions as they evidently have throughout this season.
Personally, I am not a fan of Miami Heat. I would like to see the Spurs win the title for Greg Popovich and the team that he has built.
Semi Final Lineup
Bulls vs Heat - While the Bulls have managed to get under the skin of James & company, with the injury problems plaguing them, they just dont have the firepower. Only a matter of game 5 for Miami to close the round and move on. Would it have made a difference if Derrick Rose had played? - Well, i definitely think so. Rose could have provided some offensive support and at least made sure that the hard earned playoff semi final berth is not being squandered.
Pacers vs Knicks - The Knicks are an offense powerhouse and not that great on defense. In fact very similar to OKC. They have always rallied on the shooting of Carmelo and it is only natural that he will have a few bad nights. Given the intensity of the playoffs, that will cost them this round. The Pacers are gritty (like Memphis) and take the game to the paint, converting high percentage shots. Of course, Paul George is high on confidence and even if he misses, he knows he has the big guys to support him. For NYK, Chandler will not be enough to counter that.
OKC vs Memphis - This series has been very entertaining, especially given two different styles of basketball at play. OKC with finesse and shooting capabilities of Durant against the defensive big guy line up of Memphis. Gasol and Randolph are just too much to handle for the Thunder team and Ibaka will not be able to contain both. Like i mentioned above, this series is very similar to the Knicks and Pacers match up. Memphis have been very impressive, converting high percentage shots and most importantly playing defense that is hard to break. Memphis will take this series by Game 6. Is the Westbrook injury costing Thunder a lot - probably yes, but I would have still given the edge to Memphis going to game 7.
GSW vs Spurs - GSW has surprised all of us with their aggression and the hunger to play in the big league. Curry and Thompson have been just unbelievable managing to rattle the veteran Spurs who know how to win the ring. While the series is leveled right now, I give the edge to Spurs to win the series, simply because they know how to win the playoffs. The experience of this team, backed by the best coach in the league, the Spurs will hold an edge. They need to find an answer to Curry's insane run of 3-pointers that they just cant seem to contain. This series should end by game 6, but hats off to GSW for displaying the level of basketball of the highest standard. The future for GSW, they need defense in the front court - a center/power forward who will take care of business in the paint defensively. Bogut does have the potential to do that.
Where does that leave us with the next round :
Heat vs Pacers - This will be a closely fought series. The Pacers know how to beat the Heat. The deciding factor, will be Chris Bosh. He hasn't been playing very well so far in the series. It is simple, if Bosh comes to the party, then Heat will take the series. In either case, I think it will go down to game 7 and Heat will win.
Memphis vs Spurs - This is a match up I would love to watch. The series will go down to the game 7 again, and the deciding factor will be Tim Duncan. He is old and not at his quickest best. Having said that, he has won championships and is mentally a strong candidate. Popovich will sure have his strategy mapped out. Each shot will be contested heavily and we will see a lot of perimeter shooting from Parker and Ginobili. I think the Spurs will take the series.
NBA Finals :
Spurs vs Heat - Oh what a match up. Two teams who are mentally strong and have been there before. At this point, I think the trio of James-Wade-Bosh will trump the Duncan-Parker-Ginobili lineup. It will be a hard fought series, but I expect it to close by game 6 with the Heat winning the championship.
Standard Disclaimers apply - Injuries can make a lot of difference to the predictions as they evidently have throughout this season.
Personally, I am not a fan of Miami Heat. I would like to see the Spurs win the title for Greg Popovich and the team that he has built.
