Nba Playoffs

Well the NBA playoffs are about to get underway (April 18th).

Anyone plan on watching or is NBA basketball fans?


My Predictions:


1st Round: Western Conference

1.Lakers VS. 8.Jazz (as of 4/11/09)

Lakers take it 4-0.

2.Nuggets Vs 7.Mavericks (as of 4/11/09)

Nuggets take it in 6, maybe 7 games. Billups shines.

3.Spurs VS 6.Hornets (as of 4/11/09)

Spurs, without Ginoboli, will probably rely on their other veterans to step up.
I see this going to 7 games but eventually the Spurs will win out

4. Rockets Vs. 5. Portland

Portland is a very young team. None (mostly) of the players have reached the play-offs and as a team, they're not ready. Rockets, on the other hand, have a lot of veterans but is without their go-to-guy, McGrady. I see Rockets winning in 5-7 games.

2nd Round: Western Conference

1.Lakers Vs 4.Rockets

I can see the Lakers winning it in 4 games (sweep) but Houston can probably give the Lakers a ride for their money.

2. Denver Vs. 3. Spurs

Denver hasn't made it past the first round of the play-offs in quite a while now. They have aquired Chauncey Billups, a very experience play-off go-to-guy (Finals MVP with the Pistons). Spurs, however, have their entire team in play-off mode (except Ginoboli). With the injuries, I can see this going either way.

Round 3: Conference Finals:

1. Lakers Vs. 3. Spurs

An old classic match-up between 2 conference power-houses. Now is the time the Spurs will be missing Ginoboli's big shots and clutch ability. He was the guy to make plays when it came down to the wire and now they have to play without him. Kobe is up and healthy this year, with more mental toughness, which makes it harder for the Spurs. I can see this series going to 5-7 games but the Lakers will win out.

1st Round: Eastern Conference

1. Cavaliers Vs. 8. Pistons

Though the Pistons are the last Eastern Conference contender, they were without many of their players throughout the season. With them getting back their starting line-up and a healthy bench, I can see this series go 1 of 2 ways:
Pistons cannot find a way to work together after all the injuries and the Cavaliers sweep them.
OR
Pistons working like they did last year to get to the Conference finals, giving the Cavaliers a run for- their money.

I'd say the Cavaliers will win out. Maybe in 4 games, maybe more.

2. Boston Vs. 7. Bulls

Boston will be getting KG back in somewhat good strength. He will be healthy, playing with the entire team, coming off injuries. This team is refurbished, with new signings of veteran players. I do not see a way that the Bulls can win this series. 4-0 or maybe 4-3

3. Magics Vs. 6. 76ers

Orlando will be playing the 76ers. This series is hard to tell but with the re-addition of their injured All-Star point guard, Jameer Nelson, they will probably triumphant in at least 5 or more games.

4. Hawks Vs. 5. Heat

This is the hard match-up. Both teams are good contenders. Miami came off a losing season (15 wins), to make the play-offs as the 5th seed. It's impressive but I do not think their young team will last against the veteran Hawks. I'd expect Joe Johnson to step up and take over. Hawks win in 7 games.

2nd Round:

1. Cavaliers Vs. 4. Hawks

The Cavaliers should have no trouble against the Hawks unless they play their very best basketball. Cavaliers in 5-7 games.

2. Boston Vs 3. Magics

Boston has a line-up of mostly veteran players. They will show Orlando why they're the defending champs. It may be too late for Jameer Nelson to be fully integrated into the line-up in time for this series. Boston in 6-7 games.

Round 3: Conference Finals:

1. Cavaliers Vs. 2. Boston

The Cavaliers have played good basketball all season long but I can predict that their season ends here. Boston will prove to be too much for the young Cavaliers team. Lebron James cannot carry his team through the entire play-offs so I'd expect Boston to out-shine in 7 games. Even the 7th game will come down to the last few seconds.



FINALS:

1. Lakers Vs 2. Boston

This time Boston does not have home court advantage. Repeat of the finals last year. SAME RESULTS . The Laker team will push but I'd expect the team to choke under pressure. The Celtics will play their greatest basketball in the highest stage of any level of basketball.

Celtics will bring this to the 7th game, at Staples Center and win on their home-court.


Celtics FTW

 

did you mention cavs can't win @ boston and celtics cant win in cleaveland? and who has home court advantage?

Lakers are going to win it all most likely, seeing when lakers vs cavs will be in finals. cavs will get swept due to their crappy brench and 1 man team of lebron james.

 

I seem to agree with most of your obvious predictions, but I think that the Cavaliers will beat the Lakers. The one thing that separates the NCAA Final Four from the NBA Finals is that in the NCAA one game can change everything- therefor upsets occur often. In the NBA the better seeded team usually wins due to the sheer fact that they receive multiple occasions to beat the other team and are basically allowed an off game or two. Either way I enjoy watching both, but for different reasons. If you want to enjoy the NBA Finals you have to watch it game by game and usually elimination games are the best. But after rambling on I would have to say that the team I like best is the Cavaliers- I mean they do have the best record in basketball and have played great teams and proved themselves multiple times.

 

Pretty much what they just said on Inside the NBA. The eest will most likely go to the Lakers. Considering Bynum is back in action, it sends Pau back to his position and sort of gives Kobe a break. When it comes to the east, I really don't know between the top 3. I can see the Cavs (thanks Lebron) making it, but not being able to hold on like the past few years. Boston can do it, KG just has to get all of his shit together. I'd like to see Orlando get in there too, but like I said about the Cavs, I can see them slipping away, by maybe even just 1 close game. Like 333 said, it really has to do with home court advantage; Cavs are amazing at home, they've only lost once there (oh yeah, to LA), and the Lakers are also a good home squad. I'd love (being my favorite team) to see the Spurs try to make it, but with Ginobili being out for the season, and Duncan still a bit dusty, I doubt they can do it. It sucks how Parker is having the best season ever, we get Mason who is doing better every night; then Duncan gets hurt and Ginobili plays like 15 whatever games the whole season. But overall, I see Lakers taking it all. I just can't wait to see how the east settles out and how the west teams all struggle to make it. Playoffs are looking good this year, it's gonna be real exciting.

 

Yo why so Lakers Vs. Cavs lol?

Forget the defending champs? All they lost was 3 veterans but they got 3 back: Tony Allen (coming off injuries and backing-up Pierce at SF), Stephon Marbury with fresh legs (though he has to adapt to Doc River's systems), and Mikki Moore (a solid defensive player who is energetic).

KG hasn't played alongside Mikki Moore or Marbury much (1 or 2 games but they won them all), as well as with the rapidly developing Glen Davis.


Look at Boston: We lose 3 key players.

We gain Marbury, Moore, and Allen (back from injuries). Rajon Rondo steps it up and is what people say a Franchise Role Player ( I can see him being as good as Jason Kidd lol). Glen Davis developed to be a solid player.

I can see the Celtics giving the Cavaliers a run of their money and a push for the Finals if they are all healthy

 

No, Lakers win it all without KG in Perfect condition, and Bynum back. I believe Hornets will over take Spurs. Hawks Over Heat, I think Lakers Vs. Boston As well 6 games Lakers win.

 

then why did gs beat dallas a couple years ago:nuts: :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:

also celtics can't win in Cleavland which means they won't make the finals. all playoff teams have problem playing away from home except the lakers

 

Well this is a more serious stage of basketball. The team will play with a greater urgency. Paul Pierce played his very best basketball last year during this year. Who knows what could happen in the postseason?

 

the chicago bulls winning the whole thing.... Anyways, as last year and shown this season, magic, cavs, celtics basically could only win at home against each other.

 

Wait you think the Bulls are winning lmao? Yeah but why do you think that?

A 7th seed? Last year they didn't even make the play-offs... this year with the addition of John Salmons and Derrick Rose has not made them into a championship contending team...

Well that would be amazing. I think that'd be the first time a really low seeded team IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE winning lol.

 

lakers will beat cavs in finals in 4 or 5 games PERIOD.

thread closed

 

Lakers WON'T beat the CELTICS

END OF STORY.

Maybe if the Cav's get lucky, so will you.

 

the celtics can't beat the cavs in Cleavland!!!:nuts: :nuts: :nuts: , how can you expect them to get past the cavs then! While last the cavs only had Lebron, this year they have mo williams, an improved andrew var..(whatever his last name is), and etc. All the celtics have is 3 old players and a horrible bench and lost a very good defender in james posey

 

But with the addition of Stephon Marbury, Mikki Moore, and the Tony Allen (without injuries)?

You cannot trash their bench. Rajon Rondo has developed to be on the best role players to compliment their big three. In addition, Glen Davis has been posting up career numbers in points and rebounds as of late to fill Kevin Garnett's void. To top, Tony Allen, their 6th man, has been out of the line-up with injuries. He is their only really back-up in the 3 man place.

 

what has "starbury" done this season expect have horrible FGP? ( 0.341, 3p% 0.227, FT% 0.500) Mo williams will dominate rajon rondo while lebron dominates KG and PP at the same time.

 

Yeah and how much time has they had to get with Doc River's system?

Really Lebron will dominate 2 of the big 3? Remember last year when a certain young player named Paul Pierce stepped up his game to match King James shot-for shot?

Who's going to play Ray Allen? Wally? Big Z is not as productive and will against the defensive ability contributed by Glen Davis and Kendrick Perkins
Now who's going to stop KG? Defensively-minded Ben Wallace coming off his foot injury?

Then look at your bench, you have Daniel Gibson backing up Mo. A young player versus the veteran Eddie House and Starbury. Pavlovic is getting really limited minutes so you won't be seeing much of him. Joe Smith will provide veteran leadership but will it be enough? Last but not least you have Delonte, who is a solid player still trying to come off that wrist injury and stay consistent.

Where's the small forward back-up when James could get into foul trouble or to give him a break?

 

Lebron is smart enough not to get in foul trouble. Big Z has a GOOD jumpshot for a big man too. When pulling out Perkins or KG this gives a chance for the Cavs to get the offensive rebound and get easy baskets. "starbury" has done anything this season except post career lows and being all hype. Lebron has improved so much since last season and will probably be MVP, even though I'm a lakers fan I think he will win it. Delonte is roughly 80-85% which is still good enough. Booby gibson can step up big as he showed while beating the Pistons in the Eastern conference finals.



As i recall cavs are winning by 20...... vs celtics?

 

As I recall the Celtics are without Leon Powe and KG? As I recall they have no reason to play serious? They've clinched the 2 spot and have no chance for that 1st seed. The next few games will be all bench. Cavaliers played hard cause they want to get that 40-1 home record.

Yeah Lebron will win MVP. But I'm still all for the Celtics because come play-off time, the atmosphere will be business and players will be healthy.

If KG is at least at 80% strength, champions

 

I'm guessing you didn't see the game today? it wasn't for the record, it was a STATEMENT GAME.:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Lakers beat celtics in Boston without bynum while celtics had all their players.

 

As I recall, that's what i was talking about when I said Powe and KG out?


And a statement game? What's the point? Starters should be rested, Celtics have no point in playing because they've clinched the second seed and the Cavs already have the 1st. It's no point in trying.

And it's not even play-off time. Players tend to get hot and step-up or cool off. We don't know how any team will react in the play-off atmosphere.

Yeah Lakers beat Celtics, that's the regular season. Play-offs please?