No. 1 seed Miami Heat vs. No. 8 seed Milwaukee Bucks
The big three from the Heat will be too much to handle for
the Bucks. The guards, Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings are the only real
scoring threats and I cannot name anyone on the Bucks roster that can cover
LeBron James. Look for the Heat to try to get through this series quickly so
the can get a little rest.
No. 2 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 7 seed Boston Celtics
The Knicks get a chance at revenge playing the team that
knocked them out of the playoffs last year, the Celtics. The big difference is
that there is no Rondo. The speed that Rondo had over any of the Knicks was a
big problem for the New Yorkers. With
that no longer a threat the focus of this series will be can the Celtics even
slow down Carmelo Anthony who is having the best year of his career, leading
the league in scoring.
The Pacers have an advantage along the frontline just in
size alone with Roy Hibbert in the middle blocking shots. The Hawks will rely
heavily on their star Josh Smith. Frank Vogel has done a great job coaching the
Pacers, while Larry Drew is more of a players coach due to his experience as an
NBA player with the Hawks. Don’t be surprised if the Hawks pull of the upset
here.
This is the first year for the Nets in Brooklyn. The Nets
key players, Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez, will have their
hands full facing the Bulls. The Bulls front line of Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer,
and Joakim Noah, have a lot of playoff experience and with Kirk Hinrich taking
the place of Derrick Rose can win this series. The Bulls have also played great
on the road this season.
WEST
The Lakers made it into the playoffs by the skin of their
teeth, thanks to the great play of Kobe Bryant. Now playing without Bryant, the
Spurs should have a fairly easy ride through the first round. The Spurs have a
great coach, in Greg Popovich, and play truly unselfish team basketball.
No. 2 seed Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 7 seed Houston
Rockets
Who could have predicted that James Harden would have to
face his old teammates in the opening round of the playoffs. It’s going to be
an uphill climb for the Rockets facing the Defending Western Division Champs,
the Thunder. Russell Westbrook looks even better with another year under his
belt and Kevin Durant is a man playing amongst boys and can dominate at any
moment. Look for the Thunder to advance.
The Denver Nuggets have surprised a lot of people this year.
They play great team basketball. They have no superstar. They have a great
coach, in George Karl. The Warriors have one of the greatest pure shooters this
league has seen in some time, with Steph Curry. First Year head coach, Mark
Jackson, of the Warriors will have a tough time matching x’s and o’s with Karl.
If the Nuggets can shut down Curry they will advance.
It’s the high-flying Clippers against the ground and pound
Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are mainly a defensive team. They are going to have to
be on their best game if they want to stop Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and
DeAndre Jordan. When the Grizz traded away their best player, Rudy Gay, many
people were scratching their heads, including me. That midseason trade may
prevent the Grizzlies from being able to keep up with the Clippers. Look for
the Clippers to advance behind their underrated coach, Vinny Del Negro.
Heat -13 vs. Bucks
Knicks -7 vs. Celtics
Pacers -6 ½ vs. Hawks
Nets -4 ½ vs. Bulls
Spurs - 9 vs. Lakers
Thunder -10 vs. Rockets
Nuggets -7 ½ vs. Warriors
Clippers -5 vs. Grizzlies
Odds to Win NBA CHAMPIONSHIP
Heat –190
Thunder 4/1
Spurs 13/2
Knicks 16/1
Nuggets 18/1
Clippers 20/1
Pacers 27/1
Grizzlies 30/1
Warriors 40/1
Bulls 50/1
Celtics 60/1
Lakers 70/1
Nets 75/1
Rockets 125/1
Hawks 175/1
Bucks 500/1
Odds and lines provided by William Hill Sportsbooks
Story by J.K.Gross
