NBA Playoffs 2007

The NBA Playoffs has arrived with the following matchups:

Eastern Conference:

Detroit Pistons (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8)
Miami Heat (4) vs. Chicago Bulls (5)

Toronto Raptors (3) vs. New Jersey Nets (6)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2) vs. Washington Wizards (7)

Western Conference:

Dallas Mavericks (1) vs. Golden State Warriors (8)
Houston Rockets (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5)

San Antonio Spurs (3) vs. Denver Nuggets (6)
Phoenix Suns (2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7)

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The above matchups are intriguing; and it would ensure an exciting and unpredictable road to the NBA Finals.

I'm gonna break it down series by series:

EAST


Detroit Pistons (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8):

This should be an easy one for the 2004 champions, the Pistons. It is a contrast of experience --Detroit having been to the finals a couple of times with most of its core group while Orlando with its core group having little playoff experience. As a matter of fact, it is the first playoffs for the young Magic duo of Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard. The only Magic with some finals experience is probably Darko Milicic (who played some garbage time for the Pistons themselves in 2004). It is also somewhat interesting to watch Grant Hill in the playoffs after a long absence. It could be his last with Orlando. Overall, the Pistons are the better team with lots of experience.

I believe the Pistons should be able to sweep the series, 4-0.


Miami Heat (4) vs. Chicago Bulls (5):

This, to me, is the most intriguing and exciting series in the East 1st round. The Heat, of course, are the defending champs. A big reason for this is because of Shaquille O'neal. Don't get me wrong, Dwyane Wade is clearly the best player on their team, but without Shaq, they wouldn' t be able advance far in the playoffs. The key would be the play of Shaq, who quite impressively, has been playing well (and healthy) the past month. But then, if we come to think of it, who in the NBA has been able to handle Shaq? The answer, if you watched the 2004 NBA Finals, is Ben Wallace. He's, of course, now with the Bulls, to strengthen their interior defense. Another factor that's favorable to the Bulls is that D-Wade is still not 100%. Add that to the fact the he has to guard the likes of Luol Deng and Ben Gordon. If you recall, also, when the Heat had their ring ceremony at the start of the regular season, the Bulls demolished the Heat 108-66. Lastly, since the Bulls have a better regular season record, they have homecourt advantage. However, we still can't underestimate the defending champs. They won't give up without a fight.

Nevertheless, I look for an upset: Chicago in a full 7 games.


Toronto Raptors (3) vs. New Jersey Nets (6):

The most surprising team this year is the Toronto Raptors. The last time they were in the postseason was when they were led by Vince Carter, who's now with the opposing team. The Raptors have a good mix of foreign and young players. The Nets, on the other hand, is the more experienced team. The Nets will rely on their big-three: Jason Kidd, Carter, and Richard Jefferson. They will perform, but whether they win or not might depend on the role players like Bostjan Nachbar and Mikki Moore. After all, who's gonna contain Chris Bosh? The series could go either way.

But I think, youth will prevail in this series. Raptors 4, Nets 2.


Cleveland Cavaliers (2) vs. Washington Wizards (7):

This is a rematch of last year's thrilling 1st round series where the Cavs won 4-2 (with 3 games decided by 1 point). It would have been as thrilling had Wizard all-stars Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler not been injured. Thus, it should be an easy series for King James and company. As long as they stay focused, the Cavs can sweep the series. Otherwise, the Wizards may squeeze out a win at home.

The Cavs should easily win the series 4-1.

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WEST


Dallas Mavericks (1) vs. Golden State Warriors (8):

Since I'm a big Mavs fan, I already was hoping for the past month that they won't face the Warriors in the 1st round. I'd rather have them face the Lakers or the Clippers. The Mavs have the league's best record (67-15), but the Warriors have all the confidence heading into the series. They barely made it to the playoffs and have nothing to lose. The Mavs, on the other hand, have been out of sync the past games, mainly due to the resting of their key players. Rust might be a factor since they haven't played together as a complete team for a while. What I'm worried about is the the Warriors play well against the Mavs. A proof of this is that the Warriors swept the regular season series 3-0, and they had a couple of lopsided victories. A reason for this is because of Don Nelson, the current coach of GS who was the Mavs coach for several years and was responsible of turning the Mavs from being a lottery team to a playoff contender. The Warriors today are similar to the Mavs 3 years ago - very talented, fast, and high-scoring -- but do not play good defense. Still, they could win games, and win big, too. They're a very opportunistic team - once they get on the groove, it's hard to stop them. This has the makings of a major upset. Nevertheless, since I'm a huge Mavs fan, I'd still have to go with them in 7.

Mavericks-4, Warriors-3.


Houston Rockets (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5):

This should be another exciting and thrilling playoffs matchup. And to think, these two teams did not even make it to the playoffs last year. Victory could go either way. To me, the Rockets would win with a healthy T-Mac and Yao. They are the new Kobe and Shaq duo of the 3-peat Lakers a few years back. But then again, the Rockets pair has a history of injuries, and it might just be a factor come the playoffs. The Jazz, on the other hand, is the more complete team with what I feel is the most talented frontcourt in Mehmet Okur, Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko, and the point guard of the future in Deron Williams. If they play as a team, it is also hard for the Rockets to stop them. Thus, it could boil down to coaching - Jerry Sloan vs. Jeff Van Gundy and a few bounces going one way or another.

Jass-4, Rockets-2


San Antonio Spurs (3) vs. Denver Nuggets (6):

This is another exciting matchup: the veteran defensive-minded Spurs versus the fast and high-scoring Nuggets. The Spurs have one of the league's best trios: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. They're playoff-tested and should be dependable once more. The Nuggets have the highest-scoring duo in Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony. They're very good, but have their own share of struggles. The matchups are exciting: Can Marcus Camby and Nene contain TD? Who's quicker - Parker or Iverson? Can defense specialist Bruce Bowen stop 'Melo? It should be one great show.

Experience would prevail. Spurs 4, Nuggets 2.


Phoenix Suns (2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7):

Another rematch of last year's first round series, where the Suns edged out the Lakers 4-3. It was disappointing for the Lakers who led the series 3-1. It is a chance for redemption for the Lakers, especially Kobe Bryant, who only had 1 point in the second half in their game 7 defeat. The Lakers had an advantage last year as the Suns' Amare Stoudemire was injured. This time around, the Suns have him back a hundred-percent. It is interesting to note that both Stoudemire and Bryant have changed their jersey numbers: Amare from 32 to 1, Kobe from 8 to 24. Will these be enough to change their fortunes?

Suns 4, Lakers 2.


How's that for just the first round!?