Round 2… FIGHT!
Eastern
Conference
MIAMI HEAT (1)
VS. CHICAGO BULLS (5)
The Nets are a
trainwreck of epic wreckageness. How was it even possible for a team that well
rostered to have been outplayed that badly by a Bulls team that was missing not
only their best player but their second best scorer and their best outside
shot? There’s no excuse for it (I am only miffed because I picked the Nets to
win the series and the Bulls spoiled my perfect first round lol). Still, the
real reason this happened is because the Bulls have so much more resolve, focus
and are infinitely tougher. They were faced with an incredible challenge and
they handled it. Big ups to Coach Thibodeau and his Bulls. Unfortunately for
them, that is where the train will stop because they’re going to get
slaughtered by the Heat in five. I don’t mean to be dismissive and I have a
soft spot in my heart for the Bulls thanks to Michael but there’s just no way
that the Heat, probably the best team in the game, are going to overlook or
underhustle the way the Nets did. I’m going to give the Bulls a game only
because their collective resolve is so strong but don’t be surprised if this is
an outright sweep.
Heat in 5
NEW YORK KNICKS
(2) VS. INDIANA PACERS (3)
We are in for a
gritty battle. The Knicks have an obvious offensive edge with Melo and JR Smith
able to go off for stretches where they are seemingly unstoppable. However,
don’t overlook these Pacers who can irritate anybody with their ferocious
defense and domination of the boards, able to then keep an opponent totally off
balance… something we’ve seen New York very susceptible to; maybe even more so
than any other team in the field. The Knicks survived the series with the
Celtics largely due to the wild swings of their immense potential for firepower
but not because of any manner of discipline or scoring balance. When JR Smith
had to sit out a game to serve a suspension for being a bonehead, the Celtics
turned the tide of the series and had the Knickerbockers wearing black and
being ornery. No knock on the C’s who were spirited, if the Knicks found THEIR
defense stifling and unsettling, wait til they get a load of Indy. The Pacers
are actually fairly balanced offensively too with West, Hill and George able to
put some buckets down when needed. I expect the Pacers to grind out some very
tough games against the Knicks, frustrate their top threats and force somebody
else to carry the load. If that happens more than three times, there’s a good
chance that means the Knicks are staying in New York by next weekend. That
said, I don’t think it happens that many times. I think the Knicks get lucky
again and squeeze by because Melo drops 40 or something ridiculous in a
critical tilt like game 5 or 6. Oh and there's a chance we spot an Amar'e and who knows what that means.
Knicks in 7
Western
Conference
OKLAHOMA CITY
THUNDER (1) VS. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (5)
Hate to be the
harbinger here but this series spells all sorts of trouble for OKC and I am not
sure they’re going to get through it. This would have been a very difficult
series for them anyway were Westbrook not out for the rest of the year but the
prospect of having to beat Memphis four times without him is not very
encouraging. Granted, this is a veteran playoff team now and Durant is the best
player in the West so it isn’t like they’re going to get run out of any
buildings. What ought to be noted, though, is that the Grizzlies made very
quick work of the Clippers with four straight wins after a game 3 adjustment.
The Grizz are capable of antagonizing and shorting a team’s rhythm with quick
active guards and two elite big men who are studs at both ends of the court.
They exposed Griffin’s lack of an offensive game even before the ankle was an
issue and made the Clippers one dimensional even though they still had plenty
of guards who could score. The Thunder on the other hand lost their most
explosive guard and outside of Martin, have unproven and shaky offensive
options. If the Thunder are forced to become one dimensional as a result of
Memphis’ defense, are they going to be tough enough defensively to stop them
from scoring? The Rockets gave them some trouble after Westbrook went down and
they don’t even play defense. I’m really not sure the Thunder get through here.
Grizzlies in 6
SAN ANTONIO
SPURS (2) VS. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (6)
Most folks are
going to tell me that the Warriors don’t have a chance against the mighty Spurs
machine that hasn’t missed the playoffs since I was in high school and which
can plug n play anyone from DaJuan Blair to Gary Neal and win. Except, the
Spurs have not been an elite playoff contender since half a decade ago, are led
by a big three that is aging (despite Duncan and Parker’s fantastic regular
seasons) and have been resting courtesy of a quick first round. For older
teams, that is often said to be a good thing. However, when they’re about to
tangle with what is essentially the complete opposite scenario, a very young
Warriors team that is full of energy both intrinsically and because they are
coming off of a crazy, intense series, that may not be a good thing. The
Warriors are going to have to play disciplined and cannot afford to turn the
ball over as much as they did against Denver or go cold from the field for long
stretches as they often did in that series. Late in games, they’re going to
have to stay poised and focused on fundamental game scenarios. The Nuggets were
very forgiving. Popovich and the Spurs will not be. I believe that, even though
the Spurs are a get up and down the court team, the Warriors are significantly
more athletic and explosive especially if Jack and Barnes continue to play the
way they have. Bogut will have his hands full with Duncan and will get an
opportunity to really earn that paycheck. If Curry goes off (which is a matter
of when and not if, really), watch out. They have a bit of swagger now that
this young group has a series win under their belt. Bring on the Spurs.
Warriors in 7
Dig it.
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