Ouch,
I went 5-3 in the 1st round, due to the collapse of the
Knicks and Jazz. It may be a changing of the guard in the NBA.
On to round 2:
East
Sixers (1) vs. Raptors (5): Despite going 1-3 vs. the Raptors
during the year, the Sixers will finally get the better of Toronto
here in the playoffs. But it won't be easy!
Sixers in 7.
Bucks (2)
vs. Hornets (6): The logic of the playoffs suggests picking
the favorite here, but Charlotte stunned the Heat in round 1
and have a much better inside game than the Bucks.
Hornets in 7.
West
Spurs (1) vs. Mavericks (5): The Mavs were lucky to get past
the Jazz and a banged up Karl Malone in round 1. No such luck
this time against a surging San Antonio.
Spurs in 5.
Lakers (2)
vs. Kings (3): I want the Lakers to lose even more than I want
my Sixers to win, but it probably won't happen against Sacramento.
It should be an entertaining series, but . . .
Lakers in 7.
Here
is my analysis of round 1:
East
Sixers (1) vs. Pacers (8): The Pacers have eliminated the Sixers
the past two years in the second round, but they had Smits,
Mark Jackson and Dale Davis, plus Bird coaching. Sixers finally
get over the hump this year.
Sixers in 3. They won, but it was
a little tougher than expected.
Bucks (2)
vs. Magic (7): Neither team has won a playoff series in years.
Magic have the best player in T Mac, but Bucks have three-headed
monster with Allen, the Big Dog and Sam I Am.
Bucks in 5.
It turned out to be pretty easy for the Bucks in 4.
Heat (3)
vs. Hornets (6): Since December, we've been awaiting the return
of Zo to the Heat. He's ready and rested for a big playoff run.
Hornets have been packin' it in for over a month. Mash comes
up small in the playoffs again, this time against his old team.
Heat in 3.
Ouch! Riles must regroup for next year.
Knicks (4)
vs. Raptors (5): Toronto has been on a tear lately, almost catching
the Knicks for the fourth seed. Vince Carter looking to redeem
himself and the team for last year's embarassing sweep at the
hands of these same Knicks. But New York knows how to play ugly
playoff basketball.
Knicks in 5.
Camby and the Knicks lost their focus and the series.
West
Spurs (1) vs. T-Wolves (8): KG would love to get past the first
round of the playoffs, but it's not gonna happen this year.
Spurs in 4.
Exactly!
Lakers (2)
vs. Blazers (7): For all the "problems" the Lakers
have had all season, they still beat out the Kings for the division
title and finished only 3 games behind the Spurs for best record.
And their first round opponent, the Blazers, are just a mess.
Look for Dunleavy to be fired as the scapegoat in a couple of
weeks, when it's really the front office that has ruined this
team.
Lakers in 4.
A sweep of the miserable Blazers.
Kings (3)
vs. Suns (6): So Penny now wants to come back for the playoffs?
See ya later Anfernee. Kings will light this team up big time
and win their first series since moving to Sacramento.
Kings in 3.
An early stumble, but then 3 straight.
Jazz (4)
vs. Mavericks (5): Every year we hear that the Jazz are too
old, but here they are again. The Mavs are the team of the moment,
with lots of interesting players and a fun style. But they haven't
been to the playoffs in a decade. Nobody ever got rich betting
against the Jazz when they have home court advantage.
Jazz in 4. Huge collapse by the veteran Jazz.
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