The Reg-inator and Golden Stomind bring you their 2011 NBA Playoff Predictions…
Eastern Conference (By Reg)
Bulls vs. Pacers
Winner: Bulls
Series Projection: 4-0
Why the Bulls Win: Do I even need to explain this? The Pacers are a sub-500 team that’s in the playoffs by default. The default being the NBA insists on putting 8 teams from each conference in the playoffs & most of the Eastern Conference sucks. The Bulls could take this series without D-Rose.
Magic vs. Hawks
Winner: Magic
Series Projection: 4-2
Why the Magic Win: Dwight Howard, Dwight Howard & Dwight Howard. The Hawks have a couple of nice players on Joe Johnson & Al Horford, but none that can match-up with “Superman”. Throw in the Magic’s “Mystical Rain of Treys” and the Hawks have little-no chance in this series.
Celtics vs. Knicks
Winner: Celtics
Series Projection: 4-2
Why the Celtics Win: The re-formed Knicks may contend next season, but not this one. The aging, banged-up but title-contending Celtics will be far too much for the still-figuring-it-out Knicks.
Heat vs. Sixers
Winner: Heat
Series Projection: 4-1
Why the Heat Win: The Heat Big 3. Another case of a title contender going up against a team that’s in the playoffs due to no other sorry team stepping up. The Sixers have some young guns, ie Elton Brand & Evan Turner, and are well-coached, though. The Heat have no bench, but they don’t need one against the fun-to-watch but not-ready-for-prime-time Sixers.
Western Conference (by Golden Stomind)
Spurs vs. Grizzlies
Winner: Spurs
Series Projection: 4-1
Why the Spurs Win: Experience vs. youth, but the experienced team is more talented too. I may be going out on a limb by saying Memphis wins one game, but the Grizzlies did win both of their home games against the Spurs this season. I don’t see the Grizzlies pulling off any magic here, so San Antonio in 5.
Lakers vs. Hornets
Winner: Lakers
Series Projection: 4-1
Why the Lakers Win: Los Angeles swept the regular season series, and I expect the same here. New Orleans won’t be able to handle the towers up front and that guy named Kobe should be hard to stop as well. Hornets should be happy if they win one.
Mavericks vs. Trail Blazers
Winner: Trail Blazers
Series Projection: 4-3
Why the Trail Blazers Win: Portland is coming into the playoffs hot, with a 4-1 record in April, with one win coming over Dallas. The Mavericks have seemed to disappoint in the past couple years and are a bit banged up. The addition of Gerald Wallace have helped Portland tremendously and should be able to slow down Dirk with his top-notch defense. This can go either way, but I think Portland pulls off the upset in seven games.
Thunder vs. Nuggets
Winner: Thunder
Series Projection: 4-2
Why the Thunder Win: Denver has played surprisingly well after the Carmelo trade, but I don’t see them winning this one. After last season, OKC now has a feel for the playoffs and the combo of Durant and Westbrook are averaging almost 50 combined points per game. The Thunder are underdogs no more.
http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=84956
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