NBA Playoffs: Quick Thoughts

The playoff match-ups are set. This means no more lackluster defense, no easy baskets, no taking games off and more importantly no more excuses.  How will the Lakers fare after struggling late in the season? Will LeBron finally get his first ring? Do the Celtics have enough left for another title run? Will it be Brandon Jennings’ or Kevin Durant’s coming out party? So many questions surrounding the NBA playoffs.

Eastern Conference

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (8) Chicago Bulls

The most intriguing storyline of this series is that the Bulls have enough salary cap to sign LeBron during the summer. James will get a glimpse of his future teammates if he decides to sign with Chicago. Other than that, easy sweep for the Cleveland LeBron-liers.

(2) Orlando Magic vs (7) Charlotte Bobcats

The Bobcats are versatile and will give the Magic match-up problems. Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, and Rashard Lewis will have their hands full against Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson. Despite these factors, no one on the Bobcats can stop a determined Dwight Howard.

(3) Atlanta Hawks vs (6) Milwaukee Bucks

The Hawks have too many weapons for the Bucks. Andrew Bogut’s presence in the middle will be sorely missed. It would’ve been an entertaining series if Bogut was playing. Rookie Brandon Jennings will have at least one 30-point game. He’s too quick for the slow-footed Mike Bibby and too dynamic for the defense-deficient Jamal Crawford.

(4) Boston Celtics vs (5) Miami Heat

The Celtics completely owned the Heat during the regular season. Boston wins this series in five games, but it’s tough to count out Miami considering they have the best player in the series.

Western Conference

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (8) Oklahoma City Thunder

The Lakers and Thunder enter the playoffs struggling. There have been doubts on the Lakers chances of repeating with all the problems they’ve faced during the season. On the other hand, Kevin Durant and the Thunder make their first appearance in the playoffs. The Thunder will make games interesting in the first three quarters of games before Kobe and Pau Gasol take over in the stretch. Durant will score at least 30 points three times in the series because Ron Artest, the Lakers premier defender, is not as good defensively as he once was.

(2) Dallas Mavericks vs (7) San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have taught us one thing in the past: never doubt them in the playoffs. San Antonio is still good enough to make it out of the first-round. The Mavericks have been rejuvenated since acquiring Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson from the Wizards. It’s a shame that the veteran, old Spurs have not made significant changes to challenge the new look Mavs.

(3) Phoenix Suns vs (6) Portland Trail Blazers

The Suns are riding high after destroying the Jazz at Salt Lake last night. The Blazers not so much — they lost to a Warriors team that had only six healthy players. Even if Roy is cleared to play he won’t be a hundred percent.

(4) Denver Nuggets vs (5) Utah Jazz

The Nuggets made it to the conference finals last year and hope to improve upon that. The Jazz and Nuggets are evenly matched. The x-factor is Carlos Boozer. Will he play hard to earn a lucrative contract this season? Or will his injury limit his performance? Expect a close series between the two.

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