EASTERN CONFERENCE
(8) Indiana Pacers @ (1) Chicago BullsThoughts: The Bulls won the season series against the Pacers 3 games to 1, but that one came when they last met on March 18th. Can the Pacers keep that magic going and steal this series? Fuck no! No Bulls player may not break a sweat in the entirety of this series (that should be over by next Saturday).
X-Factor: Tyler Hansbrough. If he can put up numbers like the 29 and 12 he dropped on the Bulls back on March 18th, then the Pacers might be able to steal a game or 2.
Prediction: Bulls win in 4.
(7) Philadelphia 76ers @ (2) Miami Heat
Thoughts: Not much to think about here, the Heat swept the season series 3-0 and there's not a player on the Sixer's roster whom can guard Dwyane Wade.
X-Factor: Miami's bench. If the Heat's bench guys are firing on all cylinders then get your brooms ready.
Prediction: Heat win in 5.
(6) New York Knicks @ (3) Boston Celtics
Thoughts: Everyone one who think the Celtics are about to wake up and make another run to the Finals have to keep reminding themselves that the C's went 27-27 down the stretch last year and turned it on for the playoffs. That's all good and well, but this season is EXTREMELY different from last.
First off, the East is no where near as weak as it was last season. Yeah, the 09-10 Cavs won more games than any team in the NBA this season, but the overall talent level in the East has undoubtedly risen. Second, last year's Celtics were resting and waiting around for the playoffs after they were forced to go to battle without Kevin Garnett a year earlier. This year's team is just shaken. Why should I believe Jeff Green and Von Wafer are going to magically go into 5th year just because the playoffs started? And lastly, the 09-10 Celtics didn't even kick it into gear until Kevin Garnett got ejected and suspended in round 1. Most people don't remember this, but the Heat were actually up 14 in the 2nd half in game 1 of round 1 last year, then KG elbowed Quentin Richardson in the grill, got ejected (and subsequently suspended for game 2), and then the Celtics turned it on and came back and won. Before that little dust up, the Celts looked as lifeless as they do right now. Can we guarantee something will happen to flip the switch again for a drastically different team in a drastically different East? To that, I say no.
But as far as this series goes, the Knicks just don't have what it takes on defense to truly compete.
X-Factor: Shaquille O'Neal. If he's healthy, the Celtics should cruise; if he's not, then watch the fuck out!
Prediction: Celtics win in 7.
(5) Atlanta Hawks @ (4) Orlando Magic
Thoughts: When these 2 teams met in the 2nd round of last year's playoffs, the Magic blew the Hawks away like the White House in "Independence Day" by an average margin of 25 points a game. We haven't seen deficits that huge since, well, now.
Anyway, despite last year's playoff embarrassment, the Hawks actually on the season series against the Magic 3 games to 1, 2 of which came after Trading Day. Unfortunately, much like the Hawks of the 09-10 playoffs, these guys have given up on their coach as well, so I'm not sure how much those wins matter now.
X-Factor: Jason Collins. After you're finished laughing, hear me out. For the season, Dwight Howard shoots 59% from the field. This season against Atlanta, Howard only shot 43%, and in the 3 losses, he shot just 39%. A major cause for that? Jason Paul Collins of Northridge, California!
Prediction: Magic win in 6.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(8) Memphis Grizzlies @ (1) San Antonio SpursThoughts: The Grizzlies did pretty good against the Spurs this season, but not so good that it was a smart move to tank late season games to ensure the match up. They lucked up into the Manu Ginobili elbow injury, but without Rudy Gay, I can't see them pulling off the upset.
Then again, seeing how they've never won a playoff game in franchise history, maybe their goal should be to do that first before thinking about upsetting San Antonio.
X-Factor: The Spurs 3-point shooting. San Antonio has morphed into a live-or-die 3-point shooting team this season. If by chance those 3's aren't falling, this could morph into an interesting series.
Prediction: Spurs win in 5.
(7) New Orleans Hornets @ (2) Los Angeles Lakers
Thoughts: The Lakers were a Kobe Bryant OT-forcing 3 away from facing the red hot Blazers in the first round, but lucked into a match up with the West's weakest squad. Even with a healthy David West for 3 of the 4 games, the Lakers still swept the season series. This series' outcome should have a similar result.
X-Factor: Chris Paul. If CP3 was just waiting for the playoffs to start to go full speed, maybe the Hornets can steal a game or 2...but probably not.
Prediction: Lakers win in 4.
(6) Portland Trailblazers @ (3) Dallas Mavericks
Thoughts: The funny thing about this series is that everyone spent so much time picking the Blazers to upset the Mavs, that somehow the Mavs became the underdogs. BUT as the Sports Gods have shown us time and time again, never trust in the lower seeded playoff team that everyone thinks is going to win.
X-Factor: Jason Kidd. Kidd has been pretty awful lately (he shot 27% from the field, 19% from 3, and averages just 5.8 assists per game in April. The Mavs are going to need him to find himself or they might actually be doomed for another first round exit.
Prediction: Mavs win in 7.
(5) Denver Nuggets @ (4) Oklahoma City Thunder
Thoughts: From a fan standpoint, this series should be awesome to watch because the games should be super high scoring. Of course since I just mentioned it, I'm sure they'll be locked in 6 or 7 80-point games.
X-Factor: The Nuggets team psyche. Not only did the Thunder dust the Nugs twice this month, but their coach doesn't even think they can win. Will that have a lasting effect on this series? We shall see.
Prediction: Thunder win in 5.
