NBA Playoffs

[JonLP24]

Round 1 Match-ups

Eastern Conference

#1 Cleveland
#8 Chicago

#2 Orlando
#7 Charlotte

#3 Atlanta
#6 Milwaukee

#4 Boston
#5 Miami

Western Conference
#1 Los Angeles Lakers
#8 Oklahoma City

#2 Dallas
#7 San Antonio

#3 Phoenix
#6 Portland

#4 Denver
#5 Utah

I think all of the high seeds in the Eastern Conference will make it to the next round. Boston and Miami should be a good one that I think could go either way. Cleveland is the favorite to win the East and it looks that way. I think Orlando and Atlanta can beat them in a 7 game series. I think Boston could too but ever since starting 23-5, they finished 27-27.

On the West I think they are very deep. My team Phoenix I believe can make it to the NBA Finals especially if they can avoid the Lakers. They have arguably been the hottest team since the All-Star break. Also I think Amare Stoudamire has been the best player in terms of scoring and rebounding. Los Angeles and Dallas will be tough and they have pretty tough opponents in the first round, especially Dallas. I think LA will win in 5-6 games and Dallas in 6 or 7. Denver and Utah should be a good one that could either way.

[madinmaryland]

1. Only one comment, Jon. I hate to bring up the West Coast Bias, but

LALakers always get at least 6-8 extra wins due to that bias. I would say that Dallas really is the best team right now in the west. But, it is possible that the Suns or Mavs could meet the Lakers in the finals as the Lakers will get the extra win or two by league default. :tinfoilhat: The Lakers have always been guaranteed that extra victory or two when they need it by the league.

[joeybee12]

2. It's the Kobe bias...n/t

[joeybee12]

3. Celtics out in the first round...n/t

[madinmaryland]

5. Yeah. They will be lucky if they make it past the first round.

[1gobluedem]

4. Weird not to have the Pistons in

Their season came to a merciful end last night.

[HughBeaumont]

6. I don't.

Cleveland answered all of the Orlando match-up problems (Lewis, Turkoglu and lots of missed open looks killed the Cavs, not so much Howard) and Atlanta has no strong frontcourt. Neither team has anyone even CLOSE to LeBron's athleticism, court vision or scoring ability.

We have both centers healthy (meaning lots of subbing to hamper Howard with fouls) and a far better supporting cast than last year. In 2009 - Sasha Pavlovic, Wally Sczerbiak, Ben Wallace, Joe Smith and Z. 2010 - Antawn Jamison, Shaq, JJ Hickson, Moon and an improved Varejao and improved Mo/lonte. Parker is the only mediocre one.

Frankly, if I were the Magic, I wouldn't be looking past Atlanta so much.

Everyone looks at Orlando as the Second Coming of the 80s Lakers . . . I don't see it. I see a bunch of slop-jackers who rely far too much on that fools gold (which, unfortunately, goes in at an alarming rate), a coach who really isn't the defensive genius he's made out to be, two streaky veteran SG/PFs and a tempermental center who can be handled when he goes up against a better-than-average frontcourt. It's easy when you're blowing out also-rans, has-beens and teams resting their starters. If you ask me, I'd be embarrassed if I were a full-strength Orlando and only won by six (after trailing much of the game, sometimes by as many as 16) against a LeBron-less, Shaq-less (and limited minutes by Mo and Jamison) Cavs team.

Celtics . . . please. Too many old chiefs, not enough Indians.

[JonLP24]

8. I always have the mindset

that anything can happen. I do favor Cleveland much better than anyone else in the Eastern Conference.

[Kurska]

12. The Magic's 1/5 Pick and roll is what could kill the cavs this year.

Mo Williams has never been a good defender and Shaq/Big Z are terrible pick and roll defenders because they aren't as mobile as Howard and certainly nowhere near as mobile as Jameer Nelson. That dynamic is something the magic didn't have last year (Rafer Alston was a poor pick and roller).

Lebrom James is also going to have a huge problem with the Barnes/Pietrus rotation, both are the same style of defender, but Pietrus couldn't play Lebron as tough last year because he needed to stay out of foul trouble as the only real "Star killer" the Magic have. Now both Barnes and Pietrus can really get up into to Lebron because of the Depth the Magic have at Small forward.

My perspective on the matter as a Magic fan.

[Liberal_Dog]

7. I Am A Lakers Fan

But I am just not feeling it this year. Kobe hasn't looked good in the past couple of weeks.

It wouldn't shock me to see them go out short of the Conference Finals.

[CBR]

9. I am pulling for Cleveland. nt

[Auggie]

11. It may be years until any Cleveland team has this best a chance

at a championship again.

[Yavin4]

10. Finally, The NBA Seaon Begins

I just love the NBA playoffs.