NBA Playoff Madness: First Round by Lauren Beasley
It’s that time again folks! NBA Playoff Time! I always look forward to this time of the year; this is when the NBA is at its best. This year first round playoffs, I think could have a couple upsets and surprises.
I will break down the first round of this year's NBA Playoffs, based off my own analysis and predictions.
Eastern Conference: First Round Playoffs
Chicago Bulls versus the Philadelphia 76ers
Now I honestly do believe that the Bulls will win this series, but it definitely won’t be easy. Both teams are extremely athletic, have elite scorers, rebounders and great coaching. I am mainly looking forward to the defensive schemes for both of these teams.
When it comes to the Sixers, defensively I am curious to see how they will be able to contain Derrick Rose and how they will keep Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson off the boards. Offensively I want to see who will step up other than Andre Inguodala. Lou Williams definitely will need to step up both offensively and defensively. I also expect Elton Brand and Spencer Hayes to hold it down in the post if the Sixers have any chance at winning. Lastly I expect Evan Turner to step up; he wanted this challenge, now he has it, eager to see what he will do.
When it comes to the Bulls, I am first eager to see how Derrick Rose will play, at times this season he has caused issues for his team by forcing things, I think he needs to calm down and play his game. Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson will have to do their usual hustle. Mainly I am looking for Carlos Boozer, Corey Brewer and Kyle Korver to step up both offensively and defensively, because all the pressure can’t be put on Rose.
Overall as I said before, I do believe the Bulls will win this series but I know the Sixers won’t make it easy. My prediction is the Bulls will beat Sixers in 5 games.
Miami Heat versus New York Knicks
This should also be an interesting series; they have a good amount of competitive games against each other this season. This game will come down to execution.
Miami Heat is the favorite to win in the East and in the Finals. This series ultimately shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the Heat. I obviously look to see how Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh will play, in the past. I look forward to see how Wade will do offensively and defensively against Iman Shumpert, last game, he struggled somewhat. I look for Mario Chalmers to take advantage of both Mike Bibby and Baron Davis offensively and defensively. Shane Battier and Joel Anthony need to step up as well. Lastly I look forward to see how LeBron James will start off the playoffs; he will have a tough match up both offensively and defensively against Carmelo Anthony.
New York Knicks is no question the underdog and for good reason. I look to see first how Baron Davis and Mike Bibby will play both have played inconsistently and have shown defensively they are liabilities. Iman Shumpert will have to step up big time for the Knicks offensively more; there is no question he will step up defensively. Tyson Chandler has to be defensive force as usual but he can’t afford to get foul trouble, but I do look for him to be a little bit more aggressive offensively for the Knicks to do well. J.R. Smith and Landry Fields have the potential to be true X-Factors in this game with their great athleticism, shooting ability and intensity. Lastly I look for Carmelo Anthony to step up offensively and defensively like never before if the Knicks are to have any real chance.
Overall I believe that when times get tough at the end of the game the Knicks tend to make costly mistakes and lose the games. That being said, that is why I think the Miami Heat will win this series. My prediction is that the Heat will win in 6 games.
Indiana Pacers versus Orlando Magic
Normally I would say this would be an interesting and intense series but in this case I honestly can’t say that.
The Orlando Magic are clearly on the downfall, with all the drama going on with Dwight Howard and his back injury, the Magic have begun to dissipate. The Magic have no one to count and quite frankly I believe they are ready for the season to be over. Magic have too many injuries or attitudes going on. Certain players like Jameer Nelson may step up but it won’t be enough more than likely.
As for the Pacers, this is no reason for them to slack if they are smart they will take care of them quickly and get well rested before there next challenge in the playoffs. I look for Danny Granger to dominate with his great strength and versatility. Roy Hibbert should have no problem averaging a double-double in this series without Dwight Howard in the post and I look for him to take advantage of it. I also look for Darren Collison and Paul George to do their usual duties and help the Pacers take over this series.
Overall I believe the Magic just have too much turmoil to win this series, so I have the Pacers winning this series. My prediction is that the Pacers will win this series in 5 games; they might even sweep the Magic.
Boston Celtics versus Atlanta Hawks
I swear these two teams can’t help but face each other in the playoffs and while I anticipate it will be a good series I give the boys in green and white the upper hand.
Atlanta Hawks have been playing some decent basketball, they are still inconsistent at times but they still have youth and athleticism over the Celtics. Josh Smith will need to be his normal explosive self on both sides of the court. Jeff Teague has stepped up as well, but I feel he is no real match for Rajon Rondo. Lastly, Joe Johnson will have to be his old scoring machine self and play great for the Hawks to do well and have a chance to win.
Boston Celtics have been playing good basketball as of late in the season and I think they are motivated to do well in this year’s playoffs, knowing this may be there last shot. Rajon Rondo as usual will be the one to get the Celtics going. I also believe Paul Pierce will do well in this series and has to do well for the Celtics to do well. I look for Ray Allen to do good things as usual and hopefully Jermaine O’Neal will do his part especially when it comes to rebounding. Lastly I am looking forward to seeing Kevin Garnett go head to head with Josh Smith. Kevin Garnett along with Rajon Rondo will be the main guys I look to step up in this series.
Overall as I said before I believe this series will be a good one and a competitive one but Celtics should win this series. My prediction is that Celtics will win in 6 games.
Western Conference: First Round Playoffs
San Antonia Spurs versus Utah Jazz
While I respect the Jazz for making it in to the playoffs, I don’t think this will be much of as series because the Spurs are playing great right now.
Utah Jazz have some key players who I know will step up such as Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, but it’s the other players I worry about. Devin Harris continues to play inconsistent along with the rest of the Utah Jazz. Their best bit to survive this series is to give it to the post and try to out hustle the Spurs.
San Antonio Spurs shouldn’t have a problem in this series but they would be smart to handle business and get some early rest. I expect Tony Parker to continue to play great like he has been and takeover this series. I am eager to see Tim Duncan square off against Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson.
Overall I don’t expect this to be much of a series as long as the Spurs take care of business. My prediction is for the Spurs to win this series in 5 games.
Oklahoma City Thunder versus Dallas Mavericks
It’s funny how things work sometimes, it’s ironic that last year’s NBA Championships have to face off against this year’s possible NBA Champions. No question though it will be an interesting series to watch.
Dallas Mavericks in my opinion just not the same team from last year, they lack a lot of key players that made them great. If they Mavs want any chance to win this series Dirk Nowitzki will have to step up big time. I also look for Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd to play some of their best basketball if they have any chance to win this series. Honestly for the Mavs to have real chance to win they must outsmart the Thunder and out execute them.
Oklahoma City Thunder have the real advantage in this series, they have explosiveness, drive, and one of the top players in the NBA in Kevin Durant. Speaking of Kevin Durant, I look for him to dominate early and take over this series. I expect Russell Westbrook to expose Jason Kidd on both sides of the court. James Harden needs to continue to be that force of the bench. Lastly Ibaka and Perkins need to take over the boards and protect the paint.
Overall as I said before I expect this series to be good. Dallas might not be the same team as last year but I don’t see them going down without a fight. My prediction is that the Thunder will win the series in 6 games, maybe 5 games.
Los Angeles Lakers versus Denver Nuggets
Lakers and Nuggets normally are good competitors during the regular season; I have no reason to believe it won’t be the same in this series.
Denver Nuggets have had their ups and downs but they are still a good team and expect them to show it in this series. I expect both Ty Lawson and Andre Miller to challenge Ramon Sessions considering that he doesn’t have any playoff experience. Javale McGee will be looked upon to step up the most in this series; he will have his hands full with the Gasol and Bynum. Aaron Affallo definitely needs to step up defensively and do his best to slow down Kobe Bryant.
Los Angeles Lakers just have to come out in this series and trust each other which they have a problem doing. I look for Paul Gasol and Andre Bynum to dominate and take over and make it easier on Kobe Bryant. However I also expect Kobe Bryant to take good shots and trust Bynum and Gasol to do their job. I look for Matt Barnes to step up defensively with Metta World Peace suspended. Lastly I expect the rest of the Lakers bench to play well.
Overall as I said before I have no doubt this will be a good series, full of intensity but in the end I believe the Lakers will pull it out. My prediction is that the Lakers will win this series in 6 games, possibly in 7 games.
Memphis Grizzles versus Los Angeles Clippers
This is another series, I look forward to seeing and this is the series that believe is up for grabs for both teams.
Los Angeles Clippers have talent and explosiveness but they will need more than that to win this series. Clippers will need everyone to play their role and some will need to step up and go beyond the usual role. Blake Griffin has to do more than dunk to help the Clippers, he needs to be able to do more things offensively to help his team and defensively. DeAndre Jordan needs to play to his usual role but stay out of foul trouble, he will have his hands somewhat filled but he will have to step up. Randy Foye and Nick Young will both need to step up offensively and even more defensively. Lastly I have no question that Chris Paul will play well; he just needs to take any unnecessary risks as far as injuries.
Memphis Grizzles were the surprise of the playoffs last season and I don’t think they are satisfied just yet. They have the experience of last year on their side along with good execution. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph will have their hands full with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, but in the end I have Gasol and Randolph winning the battle. Mike Conley will be force to step up defensively against Chris Paul and if he wants to help his team that’s the way to do it, along with taking care of the ball. OJ Mayo needs to continue to take smart jump shots and move well without the ball and make Foye and Young work for everything. Lastly I expect Rudy Gay to be a man on a mission, considering that he missed last year’s playoffs. I believe Gay is looking to make a statement but they key for him is to continue to play smart and not force anything.
Overall this is the main series I expect to go down to the wire, with that said my prediction for this game is the Grizzles to win this series in 7 games.