EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND
KNICKS VERSUS BULLS
This is a prediction that with bias, I hope goes the opposite of my prediction. The Knicks and Bulls could put up a great series. The way the teams have played each other year after year varies. One year the Knicks own the Bulls the next year the opposite. Last year the Knicks were slaughtered by Chicago without Derrick Rose. Both teams had face-lifts over the summer along with keeping their major parts. The depth on both squads lead me to believe that both will end up next to each other in the standings separated by very few games. The series will be dictated by Chicago's defense or New York's offense. We know what the Bulls are defensively that's why I lean towards Chicago, but, the unknown factor in this series will be how good of a team the Knicks can be. Mike Woodson's shooters found a way around all defenses except for Chicago last year, but, that was before he found gold in the two point guard set up. Bulls in 7
PACERS VERSUS HEAT
Indiana tested Miami in last year's Eastern Conference Finals taking the series to seven games. This year's match up will happen a round earlier. Paul George will hopefully have Danny Granger going to war against the Heat this year. Luis Scola was very productive when he was amnestied by Houston and also with Phoenix last year. By adding more bigs to the ones they already had presents problems to the other Eastern elite especially Miami due to their lack of front court specialists. It is extremely difficult to three-peat in this league because over those three years teams become accustomed to you and will find ways to expose flaws that before had remained hidden. Pacers in 7
WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND
SPURS VERSUS WARRIORS
In a rematch of a revealing playoff series from last year, I expect the same result. Don't get me wrong I believe the Warriors will build upon last season and improve. This series can go the other way especially if Manu Genobilli doesn't rebound from his poor play in the Finals. If the Warriors can gel and maybe if they can pull off a low-key trade or two to sure up that bench they might win this series. Spurs in 6
CLIPPERS VERSUS THUNDER
The Clippers seem to be getting better every year and this season should be no exception. Should they win their division and a high playoff seed they should battle for a spot in the conference finals. The Thunder made the least that they could with the James Harden trade, but, with a healthy Russell Westbrook and young players like Reggie Jackson they should remain where they always been at the top of the conference except that now several other teams in the conference are much better. Without Harden, they seem to be a few bullets short in the gunfight in the wild west. Clippers in 6
CONFERENCE FINALS
BULLS VERSUS PACERS
By the time these two play each other they will be so familiar with each other that it should be the most interesting playoff series of the year. I see this as another defensive series where there are at least 2 games where neither team scores more than 80 points. If you haven't figured it out through my writing, I totally expect Derrick Rose to ball out of his mind this year after sacrificing the entire season last year. He might just will the Bulls into their first Finals since the GOAT donned the red and black. Bulls in 7
SPURS VERSUS CLIPPERS
Chris Paul and Blake Griffin should be ready to find themselves in new territory with Doc Rivers at the helm. I might be in the minority that believes Vinny Del Negro might actually be a decent coach being that he made the playoffs 4 of the 5 years as a head coach with the Bulls and Clippers but Doc Rivers would be an upgrade to 80% of the coaches in the league. But, Greg Popovich would be an upgrade over Doc so what does that say? Despite his hiccups in last years Finals which can happen to anyone except Red Auerbach, Popovich will be more on his P's and Q's than ever. Spurs in 6
NBA FINALS
Spurs v. Bulls
The Spurs should successfully defend their Western Conference crown. The Bulls should accomplish something they haven't done in 15 years. In this finals match up strategy will be key. The depth on both benches will keep games entertaining. I believe the Spurs will be ready to win at all costs after coughing up the Larry O'Brien Trophy to Miami last year in Games 6 & 7. Spurs in 6
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