My 2011 NBA Playoff Predictions

Hey everybody.

In light of my rather "short-sighted" NHL predictions, I'm going to have to redeem myself by making some NBA playoff predictions. Btw, I'm afraid a lot of people here are not going to like my Eastern Conference pick. Myself, I had to take fifty showers because I felt so unclean making this pick. May the NBA lords have mercy on my soul...

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1 BULLS vs. 8 Indiana Pacers
Prediction: BULLS in 5
Why: Bulls have depth and a stingy defense. Pacers have great blue-collar talent and Danny Granger, but it won't be enough

2 Miami Heat vs. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
Prediction: Heat in 5
Why: Philly plays great team basketball, the kind that would make John Wooden proud. Unfortunately, today's NBA is a much different monster than the NCAA of John Wooden's day. You need star power and the Sixers don't have that. Miami, unfortunately for all of us non-Heat fans, have 2.5 stars

3 Boston Celtics vs. 6 New York Knicks
Prediction: Celtics in 6
Why: The New York Knicks led by that delusional moron "I'm too good to coach defense" Mike D'Antoni are a DISGRACE TO THE NBA. That being said, they will push the aging Celtics to the limit. Fortunately, the Celtics will prove how important defense and depth still are by beating the Knicks. For once, I might root for KG

4 Orlando Magic vs. 5 Atlanta Hawks
Prediction: Magic in 4
Why: The Hawks have played desultory basketball all year. Lots of talent but no team chemistry at all. The Magic, even though they are depleted, still have Dwight Howard and will stomp them. Don't be deceived by the fact that the Hawks won 3 of 4 against them during the season

1 BULLS vs. 4 Magic
Prediction: Bulls in 7
Why: This is going to be a tough series. The Bulls will need to rely on their ridiculous depth to stop the Magic. They shouldn't even waste time trying to stop Howard bc they won't. However, if they shut down Orlando's perimeter players, this series is over. Deng will need to shine in this series bc Jameer Nelson has played good defense on D-Rose

2 Heat vs. 3 Celtics
Prediction: Heat in 6
Why: LeBron and Wade are going to have that killer instinct for this series. Celtics are only getting older. Miami's lack of depth might hurt them but looking at both team's recent play, they look like they're ready to take it to the next level. The Celtics on the other hand, they are bleeding and other teams are seeing this

1 BULLS vs. 2 Heat
Prediction... ... it pains me to say this but... Heat in 6
Why: The star power of Miami is too much for the Bulls. The Bulls have been a great story. D-Rose is as humble as he is talented. Luol Deng has been an unheralded hero. The bench has been so fun to watch. That being said, all of the Bulls' three wins against Miami were decided by a total of 8 points. In the playoffs, Miami's star power will turn the tide...much to the dismay of pretty much everyone who is not a Heat fan

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1 San Antonio Spurs vs 8 Memphis Grizzlies
Prediction: Spurs in 6
Why: Ginobili's absence in the playoffs will really hurt San Antonio. But, the Spurs are still talented without him. Popovich is a great coach and the Spurs have plenty of playoff experience. The Grizzlies remind me a lot of the Thunder last season and they could make a serious run. Zach Randolph is the most underrated player in the NBA and he will need to be a star down the stretch for the Grizzlies to make some noise

2 Los Angeles Lakers vs. 7 New Orleans Hornets
Prediction: Lakers in 4
Why: The Hornets were a great team and then they lost David West and haven't looked the same. The Lakers have limped into the playoffs that's for sure but they are still the defending champs and have a superstar and a coach who both know what it takes to take the title. New Orleans is not the Thunder of last year. Lakers are going to sweep

3 Dallas Mavericks vs. 6 Portland Trail Blazers
Prediction: Blazers in 7
Why: I really like Dirk Nowitzki and I think the Mavericks always fly under the radar. That being said, this Portland team is scary. Andre Miller is a great point guard. LaMarcus Aldridge has played some ridiculous ball and would have won Most IMproved Player if Kevin Love didn't channel the spirit of Moses Malone. Since adding Gerald Wallace, this team has been on another level. Plus, Nate Macmillan is a better coach than Rick Carlisle.

4 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 5 Denver Nuggets
Prediction: Thunder in 7
Why: This is going to be a great series. The Nuggets have been amazing since Melo left. In fact, they look much better. Kevin Durant is a total stud and so is Russell Westbrook. George Karl is an experienced playoff coach however who will know how to get the best out of his players, players like Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Nene, etc. However, these playoffs will be the coming of Kevin Durant and Westbrook.

1 Spurs vs. 4 Thunder
Prediction: Thunder in 6
Why: The Thunder are a fast, exciting young team. The Spurs have the experience and the toughness. It's going to be baptism by fire for Durant, Westbrook. Still, I think the combination of Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka can shut down Duncan. The key will be Ginobili. If he plays out of his mind, the Spurs can grind it out. Still, I think it's a changing of the guard out west

2 Lakers vs. 6 Blazers
Prediction: Lakers in 7
Why: The Blazers are a great team, but the Lakers are going to kick it into a higher level. Gasol and Aldridge will be a critical match up for this series. I'm not sure if Portland has anyone that can contain Kobe however, which will be problematic for the Blazers

2 Lakers vs. 4 Thunder
Prediction: Lakers in 7
Why: A rematch of last year's exciting first round series, the Thunder are once again going to push the Lakers to the brink. Still, I think Kobe's desire and all-around ability will tip the scales once again in Kobe's favor. Gasol is going to have a much tougher time being matched up against a significantly improved Ibaka and now Perkins.

NBA FINALS

Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Prediction: Lakers in 6
Why: Miami's star power will meet its kryptonite against the Lakers. Even though Miami will pull of a big win against the Bulls, I still don't think they have what it takes mentally to get past the two-time defending champs. They are especially going to have a rough time against Gasol as they have no interior defense whatsoever. Look for Lamar Odom to step up as well, especially if LeBron and Wade are going to throw everything they can at shutting down #24

Cheers,
DC