NBA Playoffs Thread

[the_big_E]

No hockey playoffs, so this gets followed by default...

East

(1) Miami vs. New Jersey (8)
(2) Detroit vs. Philadelphia (7)
(3) Boston vs. Indiana (6)
(4) Chicago vs. Washington (5)

West

(1) Phoenix vs. Memphis (8)
(2) San Antonio vs. Denver (7)
(3) Seattle vs. Sacramento (6)
(4) Dallas vs. Houston (5)

And of course predictions are fun so....
Miami in 6
Detroit in 5
Indiana in 7
Washington in 7
Phoenix in 4
San Antonio in 5
Sacramento in 6
Houston in 7

 

[homonger]

And of course predictions are fun so....
Miami in 6
Detroit in 5
Indiana in 7
Washington in 7
Phoenix in 4
San Antonio in 5
Sacramento in 6
Houston in 7

Very interesting. Like your picks of Indy, Sack of Tomatoes, and Houston. But why Washington? I don't think they beat the Bulls.

 

[the_big_E]

The 4th vs 5th in this case is a toss-up. The baby Bulls are now without Deng and Curry they lose key guys, though they dont really rely on one go to guy so it might not impact them as much...

 

[methodman]

And of course predictions are fun so....
Miami in 6
Detroit in 5
Indiana in 7
Washington in 7
Phoenix in 4
San Antonio in 5
Sacramento in 6
Houston in 7

My picks:

Nets (my thinking is Shaq misses 2-3 games or is playing injured)
Detroit
Indiana
Washington
Phoenix
Denver (combo of Denver on a hot roll and Duncan playing injured)
Seattle (no brad miller and chris webber )
Dallas (this is the hardest series to pick...prob a 7 gamer)

 

[franky66]

this gets followed by regardless of hockey since I dont follow that at all


but Football....errrr...I mean...Soccer (lol) always takes precedence

 

[Stagg]

No hockey playoffs, so this gets followed by default...


And of course predictions are fun so....
Miami in 6
Detroit in 5
Indiana in 7
Washington in 7
Phoenix in 4
San Antonio in 5
Sacramento in 6
Houston in 7

Isn't the first round only a 5 game series? Your Predictions will probably be a little off.

 

[the_big_E]

Not anymore, 1st round is now best of 7

 

[smart_alek]

Last season was when they instituted the 7 game first round.

 

[frankcastle]

Miami in 5
Detroit in 6
Indiana in 7
Chicago in 7

West

Phoenix in 5
San Antonio in 4
Sacramento in 6
Houston 7

 

[mrpolarbear]

I have been very suprised this year with DA BULLS. After they started out 0-9 i was saying its gonna be a long year as was every body else down here, but somehow Skiles got this team turned around. For the job he has done i think he deserves serious consideration for coach of the year. I like DA BULLS in 6 over Washington.

 

[homonger]

Gee, what a surprise, Mr. PB. You are such a home town shill!

Okay, back to business. Here are the moneylines from my regular online betting site:

76ers +800
Pistons -1100

Rockets +165
Mavs -185

Pacers +105
Celtics -125

Kings -110
Sonics -110

Nets +690
Heat -980

Wizards Even
Bulls -120

Nuggets +385
Spurs -475

Grizzlies +700
Suns -1000

The Heat, Suns, Pistons... all huge favorites. I don't see the Sixers upsetting the Pistons or the Nets beating the Heat. The Grizzlies though... I know the Suns had the best record and all, but are they really the best team in the NBA?

Kings/Sonics, a tossup, Bulls and Celtics very slight favorites. Not seeing anything here I really like, but I think I might put a bet down on the Rockets.

 

[the_big_E]

Houston/Dallas, 2 GREAT games...and I dont watch NBA that much but its the only thing to follow.

And did anyone here Ricky Davis the other day? In the 2nd quarter of Game 1 he said maybe we should break out the brooms...and they promptly loss Game 2 tonight, haha

 

[homonger]

Now I am really kicking myself for not getting that bet down on Houston. McGrady has looked unbelievable the first two games, and tonight, Yao showed up too. The Rockets look tough.

As for Davis, one would think, given the level of media coverage given to what athletes say, that teams would provide their players some coaching with regard to what and what not to say in public.

 

[Rising Sun]

McGrady was a monster last night! His leaving Toronto left a bad taste in my mouth but there's no denying he was killing Dallas. Him and Yao meshed amazingly well and it's looking like the Rockets are going deep in the playoffs this year. But there's a reason it's a 7 game series.

I'd like to see the Suns vs. the Rockets in a playoff matchup; Nash, Amare, Yao, McGrady. That would be entertainment.

 

[the_big_E]

Another great game between Dal/Hou...I think Dallas has the momentum now obviously, and I cant see the trend of the road team winning every game...also fun to watch Phoenix as they score at will!

 

[homonger]

Some surprises with the NBA playoffs so far, and also some non-surprises...

Miami and Phoenix dispatch of the Nets and Grizzlies easily... no surprise there. Ditto for Detroit and Philly. San Antonio seems to have regained control of its series with Denver, after a first game upset. Indiana seems to have taken control of its series with the Celtics, which I figured they would, despite being the lower seed. Bulls/Wizards appear to be in a dogfight, which I think will go 7.

I was a little surprised how easily Seattle took care of Sacramento. I am also a little surprised at how well the Mavericks have come back vs. Houston. After the Rockets won the first two games on the Maverick's home floor, I figured they were dead. But they have come back, and look like they will win the series.

Still looking forward to a Pistons/Heat Eastern Conference final and a Suns/Spurs Western Conference final. I don't think the Mavs beat the Suns, although they should be a very entertaining series.

 

[natureboy123]

Miami Vs Suns

NBA FINAL

Suns win championship

 

[slowandeasy]

Miami Vs Suns

NBA FINAL

Suns win championship

Steve Nash wins the Playoff MVP but not league MVP

 

[the_big_E]

Round 1 over, I went 6/8. Was way off on that Kings/Sonics series and the Rockets well got pounded into oblivion last night.

2nd round matchups:

Detroit vs Indiana
Miami vs Washington

San Antonio vs Seattle
Phoenix vs Dallas

so......
Detroit in 6
Miami in 4
San Antonio in 6
Phoenix in 6

 

[RTRD]

Not going to happen...

Miami Vs Suns

NBA FINAL

Suns win championship

...Suns will be stopped by Spurs. Suns have no answer for Duncan, Suns will wilt when facing true playoff defense, Nash will be exposed as he was every year in Dallas by a younger, quicker point guard (in this case, Tony Parker...and guess what...it will get no better when he guards Manu Ginobili)

Actually...Suns might go out against Dallas now that Avery Johnson has them playing defense and showing some heart.