Quick 2nd Round NBA Picks

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Bulls vs. #5 Hawks

            The Hawks-Magic series was easily the worst first round match-up of both the NBA and NHL Playoffs so far. Going from that series to watching a game between the Bruins and Canadiens felt like going from watching “Saved By the Bell” to “Seinfeld”. Even though the Pacers were able to push Chicago, I’m willing to bet that Indiana gave much more of a crap than the Hawks and Magic combined. Chicago is going to look like world-beaters in this series.

            PREDICTION = Bulls in 4

#2 Heat vs. #3 Celtics

            From the opening night of the season, it felt like it was fate that these two teams would meet in the playoffs. Chris Bosh said so much himself on “PTI”. The breakdown of this series seems pretty simple. If Rajon Rondo shows up and plays hard the entire series, Boston will win. If not, they lose. Bosh should be made irrelevant by Garnett and the rest of Boston’s bigs (they won’t miss Kendrick Perkins until the next round). Lebron and Wade will score their points, but don’t expect a high shooting percentage.

PREDICTION = Celtics in 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#2 Lakers vs. #3 Mavericks

            Barring a superhuman performance from Dirk, the Mavericks will be overpowered by the much larger Lakers in this series. Don’t be surprised to see a motivated Lakers club demolish Mark Cuban’s Mavericks.

            PREDICTION = Lakers in 5

#4 Thunder vs. #8 Grizzlies

            Oddly enough, Oklahoma City would’ve much rather seen San Antonio than Memphis. The Grizzlies are young, tough defensive team that will frustrate Durant and Westbrook. Even when there second best player (Rudy Gay) went out for the year with a torn rotator cuff, they were able to pick up Shane Battier, who provides solid defense on shooting guards and small forwards. Memphis will continue to bring 110% for all 48 minutes.

            The difference here though is Oklahoma City’s ability to potentially neutralize Zack Randolph. Serge Ibaka has been unleashed as a hellacious defensive force at power forward now that Kendrick Perkins is playing the 5. Randolph will not score his points easily, and unless Memphis gets some elite performances out of Mike Conley or O.J. Mayo, they’ll be finished.

            PREDICTION = Thunder in 6