Core 4 Sports Episode 12 (New Edition)

A new and special edition of the Core 4 Sports Podcast as we watch TV for an hour and talk about how much we hate the NBA, how bad the past 15 World Series’ have been, and some actors/musicians that we dislike greatly. Notice a trend?

NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals Preview

As we move into the Conference Finals round of the NBA playoffs, here are my predictions for each series.

Eastern Conference

1. Miami Heat vs 3. Indiana Pacers

Prediction: Heat in 6

Indiana’s height advantage and style of play really were the two deciding factors in their series victory over the Knicks last round. They really dominated New York on the boards while harassing them defensively, and that will likely continue in this series. Miami’s big-men simply don’t match up well with what the Pacers have in guys like Roy Hibbert and David West. But I have three (well really two) reasons as to why Miami will win this hard-fought series. First is Indiana’s turnover problem. You simply cannot turn the ball over 15 times a game and expect to compete with the Heat, who love to get out in transition for easy baskets. Second I do not think that if Paul George is matched up with LeBron James he will be able to contain him like he did Carmelo Anthony at certain points during the last round. LeBron’s a completely different, and much more difficult player to guard than Carmelo. Finally the Heat are simply better than the Pacers, and with a rested Dwyane Wade they should take this series in six.

Western Conference

2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 5 Memphis Grizzlies

Prediction: Grizzlies in 7

In their romping of the hobbled Oklahoma City Thunder last round, the Grizzlies implemented a certain grind-it-out style of play similar to that of the Pacers, and it helped them easily get by in five games. As many including myself predicted, Thunder big-men Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins just couldn’t stop the Memphis inside game. But now the Grizzlies go up against a completely different foe in the Spurs. They have never faced a team as defensively precise as San Antonio, with guys like Tim Duncan and DeJuan Blair anchoring the paint. The difference in this series will deeply involve those two as it will really come down to whether or not they can slow down the offense that Memphis big-men Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol provide. While I know it’s never a good idea to pick against Greg Popovich the ageless Spurs in a toss-up series, I’ll pick Memphis to make their first NBA Finals appearance in their young franchise history.

NBA Playoffs: Conference Semifinals Preview

After seeing how well my first round predictions went (that bold prediction of the Heat sweeping Milwaukee really paid off), I figure that I’ll push my luck and make some predictions for this round as well.

Eastern Conference

1. Miami Heat vs. 5. Chicago Bulls

Prediction: Heat in 5

Miami absolutely rolled through the Bucks last week in a four-game sweep, and that should play a huge factor in this series as Dwyane Wade should be rested and healthy. On the other hand the Bulls are coming off a hard-fought seven game series in which crucial players Loul Deng and Kirk Hinrich each suffered nagging injuries. Chicago has been able to split the season series 2-2 with the Heat, but I see those injuries piling up on them as they are ousted in five games.

2. New York Knicks vs. 3. Indiana Pacers

Prediction: Knicks in 7

It’s been 13 years since these two teams met in a playoff series but this one will likely be worth the wait. The Knicks should be a bit concerned with the recent play of sixth man JR Smith, who has struggled mightily in the past few games, as they will certainly be counting on him for big points off of the bench. I think that if he will no doubt be the deciding player in this series. If he plays well the Knicks should have no trouble scoring as the pressure is taken off of Carmelo Anthony. But if he continues to struggle shooting then they could be in a world of trouble.

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 5. Memphis Grizzlies

Prediction: Grizzlies in 7

Memphis really surprised me after winning four straight over the Clippers, who I picked to win that series. But what I was most surprised with was the ability of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol to really take over those final four games, in which they each dominated the injured Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. In my opinion, Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins will have to be forces down low and prevent those two from taking over the series if the Thunder want to prevail. I don’t see that happening though and I’ll take Memphis in seven

2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 6. Golden State Warriors

Prediction: Spurs in 6

Coming into this series, San Antonio has to know that there will be at least one or two games in which Stephen Curry will be absolutely lights out from beyond the arc. Their main focus should then turn to stopping every other shooter that Golden State has. Players like Jarrett Jack, Harrison Barnes, and Klay Thompson all had huge scoring nights in one or more of their four wins over Denver, which was the difference in that series. If  the Spurs make it so that Curry has to beat them virtually by himself, they should not have any problems in this one.