2011 NBA playoffs preview

First round predictions

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Chicago Bulls (1) vs Indiana Pacers (8)

Regular season series: Chicago wins 3-1. The last time these two franchises had playoffs eyeball was in the 1998 Eastern finals. And it was not an ordinary eyeball, it was eyeball to eyeball. Reggie Miller and his gang pushing Michael Jordan to the limit, seven-game max. In this year’s edition though, I don’t see the Pacers sending the series to a Game Seven, not even Game Six or Five. They’ll be out in four games. Just too much for Pacers from Bulls player 1 through 8. Armed with the most suffocating defense in the league, and MVP-to-be Derrick Rose and role players who believe in the system, the Chicago Bulls will advance. Danny Granger proclaiming they can handle the Bulls doesn’t help a bit. Bulls 4-0.

Miami Heat (2) vs Philadelphia 76ers (7)

Regular season series: Miami wins 3-0. LeBron James is chasing his first ring. Well, the chase starts now. The Heat still think it was a good regular season. Let’s see: they are in the playoffs, the “Big 3” are all healthy, their defense improved, and as a team, they weathered some mega storms. So I agree, it was a success. They went through ups and downs the whole regular season and I’m expecting the trend to continue. Though they’ll have rough moments in the playoffs, they will find ways to win via the sheer talents of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. An inconsistent bench and awesome coaching by Doug Collins will prevent a series sweep. In fact, I won’t be surprised if the Heat will need six games to close out the series. Heat 4-2.

Boston Celtics (3) vs New York Knicks (6)

Regular season series: Boston wins 4-0. This is one of my favorite first-round matchups. Boston was a scary team until Danny Ainge messed around and sent Perkins away. That affected the balance and chemistry of the team. They are still tough team to beat but New York can hit back. Speaking of which, it’s been seven years since the Knicks made the playoffs and I expect them to come out firing. It’s Mike D’Antoni’s offensive system, powered by Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, versus the defense-oriented, battle-tested, veteran-laden Celtics. This is going to be a testy and tasty series. By the way, the O’Neals wont be a factor in the series because surely, New York will play small ball. The Knicks are dangerous, but I’m still picking Boston in six games. (Though I want this to go seven games!)

Orlando Magic (4) vs Atlanta Hawks (5)

Regular season series: Atlanta wins 3-1. Ok, it’s time for Joe Johnson to work for the hefty contract he scored from Atlanta (mis)management. Despite the Hawks leading the season series, I’ll go with Orlando in five games. The Hawks have been notoriously bad these past few years, and I have a feeling nothing going to change that. Zaza Pachulia and Al Horford are good biggies, but they are not enough to slow down Dwight Howard in this series. This is the series that I feel a sweep is likely, but will go with 4-1 -- Atlanta bowing out and Joe enjoying his summer break, with a $120-million guaranteed contract at that.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Antonio Spurs (1) vs Memphis Grizzlies (8)

Regular season series: Tied 2-2. Despite the late season slippage and injuries, the Spurs will be able to get by the Grizzlies. Even if Manu Ginobili skips a game or two, they’ll march to the second round but they’ll do some work. The quicker they can boot out the Grizzlies, the better for them. The banged Spurs can then recharge for a potential showdown with young guns of the Oklahoma City Thunder. I expect close games but I’ll pick the Spurs in five games.

Los Angeles Lakers (2) vs New Orleans Hornets (7)

Regular season series: Los Angeles wins 4-0. I really thought the Lakers’ run after the All-Star break will get them the top seed, but they did not. It might be a break for them because now they have New Orleans in the first round. They have the Hornets’ number and I see them winning the series in five games. And looking forward, if Dallas barges into the second round, the Lakers favor them too than, say, Oklahoma. In this series, the Lakers will only have to check one thing and one thing only, Chris Paul. On the other hand, the Hornets frontcourt, if it even exists, will have to contend with the Lakers frontcourt of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest. I’m almost done with the Lakers and have not brought up Kobe? Oh here… Kobe is not only playing for this ring alone. He’s not even competing with his contemporaries; he’s chasing greatness, and this is series is another step in the quest. The Lakers swept the Hornets in the regular season, and in this playoffs, I am expecting the same or at max, in five games.

Dallas Mavericks (3) vs Portland Trailblazers (6)

Regular season series: Tied 2-2. Dirk Nowitzki will be challenged in this series. A challenge in the sense that Dallas core is aging; there must be some pressure for him to deliver this year. And it will be a personal challenge for Dirk because the Blazers have guys who can cover him in and out (in Gerald Wallace and LaMarcus Aldridge). Speaking of Aldridge, he is also playing all-world basketball and he’ll be the key guy for the Blazers. Portland is coached pretty well, which is more reason to believe that this team can hang around with the Mavericks. If Brandon Roy can play just 75 percent of what he can really do, Dallas will have their hands full with the Trailblazers. Another first round bounce off for Dallas is a legacy killer for Dirk, so I see them grinding out a seven-game series for the win.

Oklahoma Supersonics (4) vs (5) Denver Nuggets

Regular season series: Oklahoma City wins 3-1. The Ewing Theory will be tested in this series: where, a team without its superstar (in this case, Melo) does better. I’ll favor the Thunder, but barely. This will be a long series. The Nuggets are playing team ball. They have guys (Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Kenyon Martin) who can cover Kevin Durant. And they enjoy quality coaching from George Karl. Add the scenario where occasionally, Russell Westbrook short-circuits things and does it his way (including bad shot selection), that’s a recipe for a seven-game series. Thunder in seven games.