Sixteen teams. One common goal. And four that actually have a realistic shot to hoist up the trophy. But after 82 essentially meaningless games, it's time to get down to business.
So without further adieu, here is a quick breakdown of the NBA's second season...
Western Conference
(1) Dallas Mavericks vs. (8) Golden State Warriors — The Boys from the Bay swept the season series with the Mavs this year (3-0), using Don Nelson's patented small-ball to pull Dallas' bigs away from the hoop. And hey, who knows Dirk Nowitzki better than his old coach? The Warriors are no doubt still coming off the high of clinching their first playoff berth since the '93-'94 season. And they're hot, having won nine of their last 10 games. All the makings of a potential eight-seed shocker, right? Yeah, not so much.
There is a big difference between regular season games and playoff games and Dallas is about to make Golden State wish they let the Clippers sneak into the playoffs. Nellie can take away Dirk all he wants. Look for Jason Terry, Josh Howard, and Devin Harris to be the difference makers on the offensive end. Although I do think Baron Davis and Jason Richardson have their way with the smaller Mav defenders. It still won't be enough.
Prediction: Mavs in five.
2) Phoenix Suns vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers — Everybody loves a rematch. Well, except for Lakers fans who will experience a sudden sense of déjà vu when the Suns end their season for a second season in a row.
Last year, Phoenix had to rally from a 3-1 deficit to make it past the Lake Show to the second round. Don't look for the same drama this year. The Lakers always seem to play the Suns tough, but these were two teams heading in different directions heading down the stretch. Yes, Kobe was on fire the last few weeks. But look how close they came to falling out of the playoffs even with his plethora of 50-point performances.
Kobe's supporting cast is as weak as it's ever been, while the Suns' depth is dangerous. The Lakers don't have anyone who can slow, let alone stop, Steve Nash from doing what he wants to do. A Kobe offensive explosion (think another 50 +) will earn the Lakers a cheap win. That's about it.
Prediction: Suns in five.
(3) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Denver Nuggets — In the art of full disclosure, let it be known I'm a die -hard Spurs fan. And while overly-athletic teams (which the Nuggets certainly are) tend to give the Spurs some trouble, the nice thing about a seven-game series is the best team always wins.
A.I. and 'Melo have failed to produce as the feared tandem they were hyped to be and Denver's big men should find themselves in foul trouble early and often against Duncan.
It also helps that Denver doesn't play a lick of defense, so Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili should have a field day getting to the rack.
But I do like George Karl, so I'll give them one game just on his prowess. The athleticism of the Nugs earns them another.
Prediction: Spurs in six.
(4) Utah Jazz vs. (5) Houston Rockets — Congratulations, Tracy McGrady! You're about to make it out of the first round for the first time in your career (previously 0-5). And it's got nothing to do with a fashionable five-seed vs. four-seed upset. Houston is the better team. Hands down. Yes, the Jazz took three of four from the Rockets in the regular season. I'm shocked. I have no clue how this happened and won't pretend to. But with an ailing Andrei Kirilenko, the Jazz have no one who can stop T-Mac. Look for Yao to give the Jazz more fits than his counterpart Mehmet Okur will to the Rockets.
Prediction: Rockets in six.
Eastern Conference
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Orlando Magic — Ladies and gentleman, I present your obligatory first-round sweep. The Pistons manhandled the Magic in the regular season, winning all four games. No reason to stop there. Chalk up a quick four more wins for the Motor City Bad Boys. Only way the Magic steal a game is if the Pistons let Isaiah Thomas come back to coach his old team for a game. Ouch. Yeah, I said it.
Prediction: Pistons in four.
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards — The only thing keeping this from a second first-round sweep is the Cavs' amazing ability to completely go in the tank at random times. I'm guessing it'll happen once this series, handing the Wizards a gift home win. But without Gilbert Arenas or Caron Butler, the Wizards' chances are slim and none, and slim just legally changed his name to No Way In Hell.
Prediction: Cavs in five.
(3) Toronto Raptors vs. (6) New Jersey Nets — Wake up! Sorry about that, but if you're like me, just looking at this matchup is enough to make you doze off. But I digress. The Raptors like to run. That's how they win. Problem: Jason Kidd and company can run with the best of them.
I think T.J. Ford is a bona fide all-star in the making at the point. But he's about to get a hard lesson in postseason ball from one of the best in the biz in Jason Kidd. Chris Bosh is already a superstar. The Nets won't stop him. Sadly, the same can be said on the other side for Vince Carter and my fellow Wildcat alum, Richard Jefferson. Toronto has no one who can D these guys up and it'll show.
Throw out the seeds, Nets are too tough a matchup for the boys from America's neighbor to the North.
Prediction: Nets in five.
(4) Miami Heat vs. (5) Chicago Bulls — Maybe it's something with the number five that sucks me in, but I think both four seeds will be watching the second round from the couch.
Hard to pick against the defending champs, especially with their boy D-Wade back, but I love this Bulls team. I have all year. They're young. They're fun. And they are just the kind of team to put a little extra oomph into those screens for Wade and his bum shoulder to try and run through.
Remember, the Heat played the Bulls tough last year, and that was without someone like Big Ben to match up against Shaq. This will be the most entertaining and competitive first-round series. Look for it to go the distance.
Prediction: Bulls in seven.
So that's it for the first round, if you're headed to Vegas, feel free to print this out and take it sheet with you. I won't hold it against you. Hey, I'm here to spread the love.
And since I'm in a good mood today, a little bonus action...
Spurs beat the Mavs in the West.
Pistons trounce the Nets in the East.
In a rematch of the 2004-05 Finals, the Spurs will battle the Pistons for NBA supremacy. In the end, it's another ring for the boys from the Alamo city. Spurs in seven.
Hey, I told you I'm a fan. Go Spurs Go!
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