Western Conference
#4 Houston Rockets vs. #5 Portland Trail Blazers
Of all the
Western first round match-ups, this is the most likely to go the full seven
games. We’ll bet on Houston winning a Game 7 at home against a Portland club
that hasn’t been the same since it’s dominant opening two months. Rockets in
7
#3 Los Angeles Clippers vs. #6 Golden State Warriors
Going
small without David Lee last year was one thing, but trying to do it without
defensive anchor Andrew Bogut is a tall order. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson
are good enough to win a couple of games by themselves, but the lack of
interior defense will prove fatal to Golden State. Clippers in 6
#2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #7 Memphis Grizzlies
Rough
draw for the Thunder, as they’ll get beat up a little bit down low, but
ultimately their superior perimeter play will overcome the Grizzlies. Thunder
in 6
#1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #8 Dallas Mavericks
By
far the greatest mismatch in the West, it will take a superhuman effort by Dirk
Nowitzki to make this series remotely entertaining. Spurs in 4
Eastern Conference
#4 Chicago Bulls vs. #5 Washington Wizards
Washington
has more talent, but the dramatic difference in the quality of coaching will
ultimately doom Washington. Bulls in 6
#3 Toronto Raptors vs. #6 Brooklyn Nets
The
only “upset” we’ll predict in Round 1, and that’s only because of seeding.
Brooklyn is much deeper, and should handle the Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan
tandem. Nets in 6
#2 Miami Heat vs. #7 Charlotte Bobcats
We’re
willing to bet that a monster game by Al Jefferson will prevent the Bobcats
from getting shutout. Heat in 5
#1 Indiana Pacers vs. #8 Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta
isn’t adequately equipped to capitalize on a Pacers club prone to long bouts of
errant field goal attempts. Pacers in 4
No comments:
Post a Comment