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From Dennis Velasco, for About.com

Thoughts, Fantasy, and The Official NBA Playoff Matchups!

Friday April 20, 2007

First off, I have to say that this was a great season despite all the injuries to a ton of NBA stars. For every Dwyane Wade, Michael Redd, or Ray Allen loss, you had a Monta Ellis, Kevin Martin, and Deron Williams gain. One A.I. (Allen Iverson) left, but another A.I. (Andre Iguodala) stepped up his game. Al Jefferson made Beantown fans smile (but he was just about the only thing that did) and Gilbert Arenas made everyone wonder he was going to do or say next. I guess what I'm saying is... I love this game.

I was lucky enough this season to be a part of two experts leagues, both of which I was fortunate enough to come out on top. In my latest SI.com article, I basically take a look at the best players, value plays, and duds. In the intro I mention of one the experts leagues and the fact that I beat my editor for SI. Yeah, a nice feeling. It was a 14-team H2H league and I have to say the managers in the league were an impressive lot - "real" SI.com basketball writers, ESPN the Mag, Dime Magazine, Rotoworld, etc. Then there was little ol' me. I'm glad I came out with the title because it verified that I know a little something about this game... but just a little. Anyway, here's the comments I had about the team I drafted, so take a look and have a laugh.

Okay, you asked for them (Carla J.) and here they are! The official NBA playoff matchups with a quick thought and prediction on them from me. First up will be the Eastern Conference pairings:

#1 Detroit Pistons (53-29) vs. #8 Orlando Magic (40-42)

  • The Pistons swept the Magic four games to none during the regular season and for good reason... they're better.
  • Prediction: I'm shaking my Magic 8 Ball and it says, "No magic from the eighth seed. Sweep."

    • #2 Cleveland Cavaliers (50-32)vs. #7 Washington Wizards (41-41)

  • No Arenas or Caron Butler equals no way the Wizards get past LeBron James and company.
  • Prediction: The people of Cleveland will be happy after five games.

    #3 Toronto Raptors (47-35) vs. #6 New Jersey Nets (41-41)

  • If only the Raptors were fully healthy, this would have been easier to choose a team.
  • Prediction: Vince Carter will celebrate in the Air Canada Centre once again, but as a New Jersey Nets player, after Game Seven.

    #4 Miami Heat (44-38) vs. #5 Chicago Bulls (49-33)

  • Wade came back specifically for the postseason and had some tuneups beforehand, but he's still got some rust to shake off.
  • Prediction: About this time is Wade Time, but it won't be easy as the series goes to six games.

    Now we go out West for the postseason couplings in the Western Conference:

    #1 Dallas Mavericks (67-15) vs. #8 Golden State Warriors (42-40)

  • The Warriors swept the regular season series 3-0, so what does that mean in the postseason? In this case, probably nothing.
  • Prediction: I'll put some credence to the Warrior's efforts, especially since Jason Richardson is now healthy, so I say the Mavericks in five games.

    #2 Phoenix Suns (61-21) vs. #7 Los Angeles Lakers (42-40)

  • The Suns have too much offense led by potential MV3 candidate, Steve Nash, but don't forget about Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa, and Raja Bell.
  • Prediction: Kobe Bryant will play golf once again a little sooner than he wanted - five games.

    #3 San Antonio Spurs (58-24) vs. #6 Denver Nuggets (45-37)

  • Certainly the combination of Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson is intimidating, but the combo of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili ain't so bad itself.
  • Prediction: It won't be an easy series, but the Spurs will eventually win it in six games.

    #4 Utah Jazz (51-31) vs. #5 Houston Rockets (52-30)

  • The Jazz have certainly improved thanks to Deron Williams and a healthy Carlos Boozer, but is anyone more rejuvenated to play this game than Tracy McGrady?
  • Prediction: This will be a tight series that will go the distance and in the end Yao Ming and the Rockets blast off for the second round.

    The playoffs start on Saturday and we can only hope that they duplicate the drama, intrigue, and heart palpitations they caused last season when it seemed every game went into overtime and was thisclose. Basketball fans can only hope!

    In the meantime, check out the past winners of the NBA Finals! And click here to see the player who made the most impact in their team winning, as well as the respective player taking home the NBA Finals MVP Award.

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    Comments

    April 20, 2007 at 12:34 pm
    (1) Fred says:

    Found a site where you can make your own NBA playoff predictions. Pretty cool.

    Sporcle.com

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