NBA Playoffs - Western Conference Picks
I know everyone has their own opinions on what's going to happen in the NBA Playoffs this year, so I'll just add my thoughts to the growing list. My picks for the first round are below (winners in BOLD).
Western Conference
1 - Phoenix Suns vs. 8 - Memphis Grizzlies
I would love to pen the Timberwolves in the 8th seed, but they aren't going to make it. While they are playing good ball lately, Memphis needs only one win in their last 4 to secure their spot. Now to the matchup... Memphis plays the Suns very well (for some reason) and all games this year have been pretty competitive. I think the Suns were hoping to play another team in the opening round, but they're going to get the Grizzlies. The keys to this series will be the Suns rebounding and 2nd chance points - the Grizzlies have a pretty deep team so they should be able to keep up with Phoenix throughout the series. Q' (Quentin Richardson) is hobbled by a bad ankle right now, but the Suns will need him at full-strength in order to win this series. On Memphis' side of things, Pau Gasol is going to need a big series if the Grizzlies expect to make it to the 2nd round. Memphis will need solid contributions from Mike Miller, James Posey and Bonzi Wells as well to keep the Suns in check. I think Phoenix will win the series in 6 games (assuming the league uses the 7 game series in the 1st round).
2 - San Antonio Spurs vs. 7 - Denver Nuggets
This is a hard series to pick, but I don't think Duncan is healthy enough to beat the hot, and I mean HOT, Denver Nuggets. George Karl has this team playing at levels that they didn't even do last year when they were the suprise team in the league. Karl has mandated a new gameplan in Denver and it seems to be working. Carmelo Anthony in particular, has excelled in the new system (back to the old 'Melo from 2003). Denver has enough good players and role players to compete with the Spurs in a playoff series. San Antonio is banged up in the middle and Ginobili hasn't been consistent for a few weeks. I think Denver will win in 7 games.
Ok, ok... I had some teams matched up incorrectly, but the season standings changed pretty quickly the last week.
3 - Seattle Supersonics vs. 6 - Sacramento Kings
Both teams have a few players on the injury list, but I think it's going to affect the Sonics more so than the Kings. Sacramento has a deep enough team to beat up on the Sonics (see their throttling of the Suns on 4/20). Seattle relies too much on their 3-point and outside shooting, and with many of their shooters out of the lineup, they have struggled mightily. If Seattle has any chance of winning this series, or even one game, they will need big contributions from Ray Allen, Luke Ridnour, Rashard Lewis and last year's savior, Ronald 'Flip' Murray. Kings in 5 games or less.
4 - Dallas Mavericks vs. 5 - Houston Rockets
This is probably the best 1st round matchup of the Western Conference playoffs - both teams could win this series. Houston is struggling right now and Tracy McGrady's latest injury is worrying the Rockets, though I'm sure he'll play throughout the series. Houston will need to play the best basketball of the year to beat the Mavs, who have recently become one of the Top 5-6 favorites to make it to the NBA Finals. The Mavericks are pretty healthy right now and are going into the playoffs on a winning streak. As long as Dirk Nowitzki, Eric Dampier and Jerry Stackhouse play in each game and are healthy, I think Dallas has the best shot to win. Dallas' supporting cast, including Finley and Terry will still need to play, but without Dirk they won't score or rebound as well, without Dampier they won't defend as well, and without Stackhouse they lose their primary scoring option off the bench. This looks like a long series, but I'll take the Mavs in 7 games.
I will complete my Eastern Conference picks later...
Comments are welcome.