NBA Conference Semi-Finals Preview
Round one of this year’s NBA playoff’s is almost complete and following two series sweeps and a couple of gentlemen’s sweeps, there hasn’t been a feast of first-round action.
As the conference semi-finals look set to kick off this weekend, lets hope this year’s playoffs come to life.
(4) Boston Celtics v Philadelphia 76ers (8)
Did Boston win their series or did Atlanta throw it away? It’s hard to tell. With Ray Allen missing the first two games and Rajon Rondo missing the second, the series was the Hawks for the taking.
While they were missing Al Horford for most of the round, this was the year they were supposed to overtake Boston and march past them in the post-season. That was far from the truth though as Rondo, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett combined to dismantle Atlanta with ease.
Meanwhile, it’s easy to say the Philadelphia 76ers got lucky. If a Bulls team shows up with a fit Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah there is absolutely no way they are losing in the opening round of the playoffs.
As it happens, Rose and Noah both suffered injuries during the course of the series and Philadelphia were able to take advantage.
Take nothing away from the Sixers though. Following a dismal second half of the season, Doug Collins was able to lift his side amid reports of locker room problems. Stellar production from Spencer Haws and great all-round play particularly by Evan Turner will see Philadelphia in their first conference semi-finals since 2003.
It will be a very cagey affair, as both sides look to balance their offence with stingy defence. The matchup between Paul Pierce and Andre Igoudala may prove to be decisive and, with the Sixers winning the regular season series, it could go all the way.
My prediction, Boston in seven.
(2) Miami Heat v Indiana Pacers (3)
A few things stick in my mind from the Miami v Knicks first-round series. While LeBron’s MVP efforts were on offer as usual and the birth of Chris Bosh’s child may have caused his attention to slip somewhat, it was the game four loss Miami suffered that really stuck out.
Leading the series 3-0, the Heat team lost its concentration, an issue seen before in the playoffs, and let go of its stranglehold. While it turned out to be insignificant at this stage, another loss of attention later on may cost them the title for a second consecutive year.
Overall, it’s hard to criticize though. LeBron, Wade and Bosh all combined so well at time it looked as if the Knicks weren’t allowed to touch the ball. The Miami bench finally got going as Shane Battier, Mario Chalmers and Mike Miller all made big contributions but for some reason that game four continues to haunt me and maybe, just maybe, it will come back to haunt Miami.
The Indiana Pacers offers much the same dilemma really. Going up against a side it should have dominated, the Pacers were some how able to lose it’s opening game at home to an Orlando Magic side without Dwight Howard.
Winning the next four, they secured the series win but will not forget the opening loss. This is far from being a criticism of the Pacers though. They played great basketball for most of the series.
With Danny Granger leading the team at 21ppg, the offensive threat of George Hill, Paul George, David West and Roy Hibbert is hard to deny.
Their matchup with Miami will be one of the most exciting of this year’s playoffs. While the Heat contain the speed and quality of Wade, LeBron and Bosh, Indiana will be posting a side heaped with size and a bench to match.
With both teams unexpectedly losing an opening round match, neither will be able to have a repeat if they expect to progress.
My prediction, Miami in six.
(1) San Antonio Spurs v Los Angeles Clippers/Memphis Grizzlies (5/4)
The San Antonio Spurs have had a walk in the park so far. Finishing the regular season with the best record in the Western conference, they faced the Utah Jazz in the opening round of the playoffs.
Scraping their way into the post-season, the Jazz were dismantled. Losing every game by at least sixteen points, they have warned the league how prolific the Spurs are right now.
While Tim Duncan appears to have had been fitted with a pair of new legs, Manu Ginobili has returned fresh from injury and Tony Parker has been playing at MVP level all season.
The addition of Stephen Jackson at the trade deadline has been a big boost, while the Spurs bench goes eleven deep and is able to contribute largely to the team’s success.
Who they will play in the second-round is yet to be seen. While the Los Angeles Clippers lead the series 3-2, it has proved to be a close contest the whole way through.
It is unlikely to matter though. With the Spurs steamrolling their way through this season’s playoffs, neither the Clippers or Memphis are likely to be able to keep up. San Antonio seemed confident of a place in the conference final at the start of this year’s playoffs but now, they look assured a place.
My prediction, San Antonio in five.
(2) Oklahoma City Thunder v Los Angeles Lakers/Denver Nuggets (3/6)
While the Spurs may be steamrolling their half of the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder are sweeping through theirs. Sweeping the reigning champions (and the side that knocked them out of last season’s playoffs), they’ve proved they’re no joke.
While the Dallas Mavericks have changed slightly since last season (namely losing Tyson Chandler), they didn’t come in with the same attitude as the 2010/11 playoff Mavericks. Sadly for them, the Thunder did.
With James Harden playing an increased role offensively, Russell Westbrook wasn’t made to take as many shot, Kevin Durant came up big when it was needed and Serge Ibaka continued to be the defensive force inside that he’s been all season.
Add the youth and hunger of a side looking to win its first championship and you’ve got a team capable of anything, not a catchphrase the Lakers or Nuggets will be happy to hear.
While the Lakers may look to Kobe Bryant and their big men if they advance to the conference semis, it is unlikely even they will be able to beat a team with as much determination and talent as this current Thunder side.
My prediction, Thunder in six.
