AK-47
Years ago
2011 NBA Playoffs - Discussing the Match Ups
With the NBA playoffs starting on Sunday I thought it would be nice to get a little discussion going..
Western Conference
(1)San Antonio Spurs vs (8) Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis will be excited to be in the playoffs after an absence that stretches back to 2006 and will make Game 1 an interesting one. No Ginobili for game 1 will also give the Grizzlies a little sniff but the Spurs will get away in the only close match of the series. Despite the 2-2 regular season record between the two teams the Grizzlies are chasing their first playoff win (0-12) and without Rudy Gay leading the charge they will struggle to do so. The Grizzlies may snag 1 game in the series but the Spurs will march on comfortably and take the series 4-1.
Regular Season Record
Tied 2-2
Match Up To Watch
Tim Duncan vs Zach Randolph
Randolph can play inside and outside and will stretch Tim Duncan and the Spurs defence. Randolph is a genuine 20 and 10 guy but lacks the playoff experience of Duncan. Whilst Duncan is aging he is still one of the best big defenders in the league and shutting out Randolph will go a long to determining the Spurs dominance in this series.
(2)Los Angeles Lakers vs (7) New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets go into the series without dominant big man David West who suffered a season ending knee injury. The Lakers are also hampered by the almost constant injury cloud over starting centre Andrew Bynum and with the seriousness of his latest knee problems unknown the Lakers will be preparing for the series without him. This brings Lamar Odom into the starting line up and weakens the bench but that should not matter for the purple and yellow. Despite the current poor form of the Lakers they will turn it up for the playoffs and will march through the first round. A Chris Paul inspired Hornets will get hot in one of the games in New Orleans and will snatch one but the Lakers will be mostly unchallenged and will close out the series 4-1.
Regular Season Record
Los Angeles 4-0
Match Up To Watch
Kobe Bryant vs Trevor Ariza
I expect the two former teammates to go head to head this series. Despite Ariza's defensive talent and shutdown abilities, Kobe Bryant is Kobe Bryant and will dominate the series.
(3)Dallas Mavericks vs (6) Portland Trailblazers
It’s been talked up as the series most likely to bring out an upset and I believe that this is a possibility. The Blazers match up extremely well with the Mavericks and after splitting the season series 2-2 the closeness of this series has been set. This is going to be a 6 or 7 game series that goes back and forth and one that will be filled with drama. A lot depends on the health and form of Brandon Roy. If he can return to All Star form then the Blazers get the edge. Their style of play suits the intensity of playoff basketball and despite their inexperience on the biggest stage; I think they’ll perform extremely well. The Mavericks have probably hit the ceiling as far as season potential goes. Whilst having a solid side, there is a gaping hole left at the shooting guard/small forward position left by the Caron Butler injury. This just happens to be the Blazers strongest area with Wes Matthews, Brandon Roy, Nicolas Batum and Gerald Wallace all sharing time in this position. This series is almost too close to call however I am going pick Portland in 6.
Regular Season Record
Tied 2-2
Match Up To Watch
Dirk Nowitzki vs LaMarcus Aldridge
The similarities of these two are almost ridiculous. Both are around 7 feet tall, both shoot the jump shot at a high clip and use their post game to create room for that jump shot. Both are questionable rebounders and defenders but benefit from having shot blocking bigs in Tyson Chandler and Marcus Camby beside them and are both capable of putting up a 40 point game at any point. These two players are in All Star form. Expect this match up to be one of the most fascinating in the first round.
(4)Oklahoma City Thunder vs (5) Denver Nuggets
The most exciting first round series takes place between these two teams. Both play an up tempo, fast and exciting brand of basketball that everyone loves to watch. Both teams are young and reasonably new to the playoff atmosphere, however after seeing what the Thunder did last year against the Lakers there is no doubt that they can play at the level required to achieve success in the playoffs. We are yet to truly see what the new look Nuggets can do which makes this series even more fascinating. Expect the first game to be a poor shooting night as nerves effects these two young teams but make no mistake this will not last. High scoring games with a few extra periods of overtime here and there will keep all basketball fans on the edge of their seats. The Thunder will get this series in 6 but not without a fight.
Regular Season Record
3-1 Thunder
Match Up To Watch
Russell Westbrook vs Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton
The point guard combo for the Nuggets of Lawson and Felton will keep Westbrook on his toes but don’t expect the young guard to be overwhelmed. It will take everything Lawson and Felton have to slow this kid and that may not even be enough.
Eastern Conference
(1)Chicago Bulls vs (8) Indiana Pacers
Expect this to be one of the more boring playoff series. Danny Granger is really the only game changer that the Pacers have and he’ll struggle with his shooting percentage in this series and the Bull’s team defence will absolutely suffocate him. The broom is already out and the Bulls are just 4 games away from completing the sweep and marching on to the second round.
Regular Season Record
3-1 Chicago
Match Up To Watch
Derrick Rose vs Indiana Pacers
Nobody from the Pacers can slow Derrick Rose. They may throw a bigger Dahntay Jones at him but nothing is slowing this seasons MVP
(2)Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers
Doug Collins has done wonders with Philly this season but their fairytale seasons ends very quickly here in the first round. Andre Iguadala will be totally outplayed by a faster, stronger, more talented wing combo of Wade and LeBron and Elton Brand and Chris Bosh will cancel each other out. Jrue Holiday is not good enough to cause the Heat to many headaches at the point guard position thus providing the Heat with a painless first round match up providing the big 3 stay healthy. A sweep would be no surprise as I think this match up with be more one sided than most believe.
Regular Season Record
3-0 Miami
Match Up To Watch
Chris Bosh vs Elton Brand
Expect these two to go at it all series long. The match up will be fierce however expect Bosh to score more as his support is at a far greater standard and his delivery and opportunity should come in bulk these playoffs. Brand will dominate the boards at the defensive end however his second chance points will be limited because of the rebounding prowess of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.
(3)Boston Celtics vs (6) New York Knicks
New York will love the fact that they are back in the playoffs and will come out with great energy. Their lack of playoff experience will not be much of factor as their leaders Billups, Anthony and Stoudemire will control the game. I expect Chauncey to play a bit of the 2 which will open his offensive game up dramatically and allow him to be that third scoring punch the Knicks require to make a series of it. Many believe this series will an easy one for Boston however I reckon the Knicks can take this to 7. Admittedly everything must go right for them and their big 3 must be firing on all cylinders but the Celts are aging and with no apparent dominance at Centre due to injuries, the Knicks are going to make this an exciting series. Expect each game Boston wins to be close except Game 7 where the Celtics will move on comfortably into the second round, but not without a little scare from New York.
Regular Season Record
4-0 Boston
Match Up To Watch
Kevin Garnett vs Amare` Stoudemire
Expect this match up to involve a tonne of emotion. Garnett is defensively superior, Stoudemire is the same offensively. Stoudemire must rebound better than he has all season and he must match Garnetts intensity. One of the best 1 on 1 match ups of the playoffs.
(4)Orlando Magic vs (5) Atlanta Hawks
Another close series between the fourth and fifth seeds and one that could go either way. The Magic’s hopes rest solely on Dwight Howard’s broad shoulders. Al Horford will guard him all series but if he gets in foul trouble the Hawks are short on back up bigs that can match it with Dwight so expect him to have a dominant series. His free throw shooting will also be very important throughout the whole game. Having the confidence to keep him on the floor late in close games is going to be critical for Stan Van Gundy. The Hawks however, have so many avenues for scoring and though they’ve previously been regarded as soft, I think they’ll stand up and take this series in 6.
Regular Season Record
3-1 Atlanta
Match Up To Watch
Dwight Howard vs Al Horford
A matchup between two monsters. Dwight has Al at both ends of the floor but Al will lift in the playoffs as he did in the Boston Series in 2009 and will play with high level of intensity. Horford will slow Howard but will not stop him. Expect plenty of physicality and a few outbursts of disapproval from the two players.
