Three big surprises for me in Round 1: The Mavs not blowing it, the Magic completely blowing it and the Grizzlies GOING IN on some 2007 Golden State Warriors shit. Otherwise everything I predicted went pretty much as planned, aside from the Celtics SWEEPING and the Lakers NOT sweeping. Now we've got 4 really interesting series to determine the Conference Finals contenders and HOLY SHIT it's still possible that we could have a Celtics-Thunder Final. Impossible? No. Improbable? Yeah.
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EAST
#1 BULLS VS #5 HAWKS
I think the Bulls will win this series mostly because I had zero faith in the Hawks that they'd beat the Magic in Round 1. However, the Hawks have a couple advantages over Chicago. I mentioned the other day how Atlanta has Chicago's 2-guard spot's number no matter what. There's no one in their rotation to stop Joe Johnson. And don't expect Keith Bogans to go for 5 three-pointers again like he did in a game last round. The Hawks also might have a slight advantage at the Power Forward position. There's some speculation that Carlos Boozer is too soft for playoff basketball. Dude doesn't play defense and his offensive numbers have been way down this postseason. He's only scoring 10 points per game, down 7PPG from the regular season, and he's down from 51% shooting in the regular reason to 36% in the playoffs. Al Horford, on the other hand, has been on the up. I expect Johnson and Horford to score more in this series than versus the Magic.
However, the rest of the Bulls are just too much. Gimped-out Kirk Heinrich won't be able to contain Derrick Rose. Then again, who can? Joakim Noah will outplay the Hawks' center position, causing Zaza Pachulia to become completely useless. Noah is nuts. Do you think Zaza is sophisticated enough to know the difference between getting into Dwight "referee target" Howard's head or into a wild man's head? Bulls in 6.
#2 HEAT VS #3 CELTICS
This is probably the most anticipated series in the entire playoffs. The Big Three versus The Fantastic Four Formerly Known As The Big Three. Everyone's talking how Rondo has to take over Boston's offense in order for them to win. I say he will do this 4.5 times out of the 7 games with at least one triple double and no more of that scoring 30 points business. This is the Celts' last chance to win with their aging core unless they miraculously pick up Dwight Howard as a result of his impending free agency in 2012. I don't think there's a real favorite here, but I'm going Celtics in 7 games because 1) I want to see as much playoff basketball as possible and 2) I want to see Mike Miller cry.
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WEST
#8 GRIZZLES VS #4 THUNDER
Celtics/Heat is the most anticipated match-up of the playoffs but this series is the most exciting and least expected. I think the Thunder have the edge cos of their superstar power with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, but the Grizzles have a lot of momentum. Either way, there's a storyline as long as one of these teams play the Lakers in the Conference Final. There's the OKC/Los Angeles rematch from last year, then again there's the HOT Gasol/Gasol action if Memphis wins. I say Thunder in 7 with the edge strictly because of Durant. However, if they keep on giving the ball to Westbrook in crunch time and he keeps blowing it I don't know how long they'll survive. Also James Harden's beard > O.J. Mayo's beard.
#2 LAKERS VS #3 MAVERICKS
The Mavericks are still the most boring team in the playoffs, so what better way for them to leave the playoffs than by being trounced by the Lakers? I think very few people have Dallas in this series and for good reason -- they're old. I'm sick and tired of Rick Carlisle. I'm sick and tired of Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd shooting the ball. I'm sick and tired of Dirk Nowitzki post-game interviews. I don't WANT THE LAKERS to win, but if they do it'd be a better storyline for the Conference Finals and THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, YA CREAMO. Lakers in 6.
