Core 4 Sports Episode 11

NBA Playoffs: First Round Preview

When the average person hears the phrase “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” they most likely will think of the cold weeks leading up to Christmas day. A time for rejoicing, catching up with family, and hopefully receiving a nice present or two. When the average NBA player or coach hears this phrase he may have a slightly different time period in mind. He is most likely thinking of these next two months, a time when the league’s new champion will be crowned. There will certainly be rejoicing, some catching up with old friends and enemies, and at the end every player and coach hopes he receives a nice present in the Larry O’Brien Trophy. This is the NBA’s Christmas except it doesn’t last just one day; it carries on for two months.  So who will it be this year? The Miami Heat in a repeat effort? The “aging” San Antonio Spurs with one last ride? The now experienced Oklahoma City Thunder? Or even, dare I say, the New York Knicks? 16 teams remain alive in their quest for a title, and now is when it all begins. Here are my first round picks.

Eastern Conference:

1 Miami Heat vs. 8 Milwaukee Bucks

Prediction: Heat in 4

It seems like the Heat have been resting their starters for months now ever since their historic winning streak came to an end. You can bet that they’ll be rested and ready for a first round romp of Milwaukee. Anything less than a berth in the NBA Finals will be an extreme disappointment in Miami this year and there’s no way that they’ll let the sub-500 Bucks stop them.

2 New York Knicks vs. 7 Boston Celtics

Prediction: Knicks in 5

Originally I had this one going six or maybe even the full seven games, but New York has been an outstanding team on the road this season and they should be able to steal one at the Celtics. Rajon Rondo has been a huge factor in past matchups between these two and his absence should have an adverse effect on the Celtics in this series.

3 Indiana Pacers vs. 6 Atlanta Hawks

Prediction: Pacers in 5

The Hawks, losers of five of their last seven, come into this series without a whole lot of momentum. Many believe that they favored a matchup with the Pacers instead of playing Brooklyn, but I get the feeling that they’ll be regretting that very soon. Atlanta’s always been a shaky playoff team and I see them going down relatively easily to the Pacers, who are primed for a second round matchup with the Knicks.

4 Brooklyn Nets vs. 5 Chicago Bulls

Prediction: Bulls in 7

This series is looking like it will by far be the best and most entertaining matchup of the Eastern Conference this round. These are two defensive-minded teams who will both look to win low-scoring and hard-fought games this series and beyond. If Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah can both stay on the court, they should be able to have their way with Nets big-men Brook Lopez and Reggie Evans. That may be the deciding factor in what should be an extremely close series.

Western Conference:

1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 8 Houston Rockets

Prediction: Thunder in 6

Am I the only one who was seriously rooting hard for this matchup to come to fruition months ago? There is clearly some bad blood between the Rockets James Harden and his former OKC teammates, and this is finally his chance to prove to them what he’s worth. His play coupled with Houston’s high-scoring capabilities should spell trouble for the Thunder in some games, but Oklahoma City should win a hard-fought series here.

2 San Antonio Spurs vs. 7 Los Angeles Lakers

Prediction: Spurs in 6

San Antonio has dealt with their share of injuries this season, but that’s nothing compared to what has hit the Lakers. All of their five opening day starters have missed significant time this season due to injury, with the latest being superstar Kobe Bryant. Now it’s time for Dwight Howard to put this team on his back and prove that he is worth the big money that he’ll inevitably receive in the offseason. I believe that he is capable of doing so, but the Spurs should still be able to outlast Los Angeles and finally end their circus season.

3 Denver Nuggets vs. 6 Golden State Warriors

Prediction: Nuggets in 5

If you’re a fan of fast-paced, energetic, and high-scoring basketball, than this is the series for you. Both of these teams are capable of dropping 130 on a defense if given the opportunity, and I wouldn’t rule that out from happening in a game. Even without Danilo Gallinari the Nuggets are still a dominant home team and they should be able to steal a win in Golden State, setting up a rather uneventful series victory in five games.

4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. 5 Memphis Grizzlies

Prediction: Clippers in 7

It just seems as if these two are destined to once again go the distance in a series doesn’t it? Last year it ended with a huge game 7 road win for the Clippers in Memphis, but this year they should have a little less trouble at home. The Grizzlies will have to rely on someone other than Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol to step up for them in this series, and that should be a very tall task for them to achieve throughout.

So there’s my picks, just as with my March Madness bracket I plan on them being completely wrong within a few days of the actual games beginning. Enjoy the games everybody.

Core 4 Sports Episode 10

Core 4 Sports Episode 9