It’s that time of year!!! This year I teamed up with the LOVELY FullCourtPumps for the 2012 NBA Playoffs and you can find her Eastern Conference Predictions HERE.
1. #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #8 Utah Jazz
San Antonio won the series 3-1
Spurs in 5 games
Key Players: (SAS) Tony Parker, Matt Bonner, Manu and Duncan – (Jazz) Al Jefferson, Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks and Paul Millsap
Coach Popovich will rest his starters one of these games as to why Jazz will take one win. Having a HEALTHY Manu off the bench is going to be detrimental to the Jazz. San Antonio has the #1 offensive rating and has a #10 defensive rating. Their experience, cohesion, and health are beneficial to them this post season.
2. #2 OKC Thunder vs. #7 Dallas Mavericks
OKC Won the series 3-1.
Thunder in 6 games.
Key Players: (OKC) Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden – (Mavs) Dirk, Terry and Marion
This would have been a fabulous matchup if this was the same Mavericks from last year, but since Cuban is stocking house in order to get Deron Williams in the offseason, it isn’t. Dallas can’t hold down Kevin Durant AND Russell Westbrook. It’s too much offense for Dallas; Kevin can get offense from anywhere – perimeter, attacking the rim, contested jumpers. Dirk has had an offseason, but once he starts his unblockable fadeaways, it’s game on. Even with Dirk, OKC has too much fire power for Dallas. Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka……
3. #3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #6 Denver Nuggets
L.A. won the series 3-1
Metta World Peace still has 6 games left on his suspension.
Rudy Fernandez and Wilson Chandler are out for the remainder of the season, Al Harrington is playing with a torn meniscus.
L.A. in 6 games
Key Players: (LAL) Kobe, Bynum, Gasol - (DEN) Lawson, Gallinari, Manimal/McGee
Denver is the 2nd fastest in the league in regards of their pace and they will speed up the pace of the series while LAL will try and slow it down. LAL has a depleted bench in comparison to Denver’s bench, however LAL has the size and experience over the Nuggets. Gasol holds a great length advantage over Faried, but Faried lack of size doesn’t get in the way of his work on the glass. JaVale’s freakishly athleticism and length is a positive, but his lack of polishness will show. It will come down to experience and size over youth and running.
4. #4 Memphis Grizzlies vs. #5 Los Angeles Clippers
Clippers won the series 2-1
Grizzlies in 7
Key Players: (MEPH) Tony Allen/Conley, Marc Gasol, Rudy Gay – (LAC) Griffin, CP3, Foye/Jordan
Mike Conley is one of the better defensive points in the league and will make CP3 work extra hard for his. Blake Griffin is Blake Griffin. I don’t believe I have to elaborate. Outside of CP3′s offense, who’s the second option? Blake? Enough said. Grizzlies are the 7th in relation to defensive efficiency in the league. Clippers will rely a tremendous amount on their outside shooting, but once again, the Grizzlies will defend the perimeter in an ironclad way.
LET’S GET READY FOR SOME PLAYOFF BASKETBALL!!
