Playoff Previews: Round 1

It's been a really, really long time since my last post. Very sorry about that. I've been quite preoccupied with a lot of different things. With the 2010 - 2011 closing up, we're gonna preview the first round match-ups of the playoffs and how everything might turn out.

Western Conference

1) San Antonio Spurs vs. 8) Memphis Grizzlies

Despite the Spurs struggle as of late, they'll still pull through one way or another. If that means going back to relying on the Big Fundamental, then so be it. They've been too good for too long for a team like Memphis to just come in and beat the team in a 7 game series. Even if Manu watches the first round from the bench, the Spurs should have enough experience and depth to get past the Grizzlies and get to that second round.

Final Count: 4 - 1 : Spurs

2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. 7) New Orleans Hornets

All eyes in the West are on Kobe and the Lake squad. Kobe's been to the playoffs a countless number of times. There's just no way that he doesn't move past this first round. Even with that said, Chris Paul is still capable of destroying a team. But...with Phil retiring at the end of the season, Kobe's going to do everything he can to get that 6th ring to tie with the G.O.A.T. With Pau Gasol, Kobe's been to the NBA's highest stage for the past 3 years winning the last two. It would only be fitting if Kobe gets that 6th, just saying.

Final Count: 4 - 2: Lakers

3) Dallas Mavericks vs. 6) Portland Trail Blazers

To me, this is the most interesting match-up in the first round of the Western Conference. Maybe even the whole first round. Portland has been playing well even with all the damage done to their team with injuries (Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, Wesley Matthews). Dirk and the Mavs have been plagued the past few seasons with first and second round exits. Luckily for Mark Cuban, the big German feels that the team he's playing with this season is better than any team he's played with ('06 Finals included). Despite Portland's terrific performance on the court this year, without a healthy Brandon Roy, I just don't see the Blazers going as far as they would like.

Final Count: 4 - 3: Mavs

4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 5) Denver Nuggets

Oklahoma City is on the rise. With Durant and Westbrook leading the Thunder, I don't really see any chance of an upset here. The Thunder are too good and too deep for these Denver Nuggets. However, I do applaud the Nuggets on a job well done without their franchise player, Carmelo Anthony. Much better those other two superstarless teams (i.e. Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors).

Final Count: 4 - 2: Thunder

Eastern Conference

1) Chicago Bulls vs. 8) Indiana Pacers

Everyone knew that Derrick Rose would be good, but this soon? The MVP front runner definitely will not disappoint. If anything, he's only going to shut his haters and doubters up with his performance on the court. The other five times the Bulls had a 60-win season, they were all capped off with a nice championship. With Danny Granger not producing like we've become accustomed to over the past two years. This season, everyone won't only be watching Kobe and LeBron, cause Derrick Rose'll be there too. All I can really say is to get a broom.

Final Count: 4 - 0: Bulls

2) Miami Heat vs. 7) Philadelphia 76ers

LeBron and company are looking for their first knockout together since that infamous summer that we all remember so well. The Heat are coming in hot. With late wins in the season, they snatched that second seed right from Boston. The 76ers really don't fit into the grand scheme of things in the chase for that ring. They're like that little kid that gets picked on. You kinda feel sorry for them, but there's just no way that they're going to get to that second round. I'm sorry to write you off like this Philly, but... I know you probably don't think you can beat the Heat either.

Final Count: 4 -1: Heat

3) Boston Celtics vs. 6) New York Knicks

An old rivalry is renewed in this series of 7. Both teams really haven't been doing well lately. With Perk gone, the Celtics just aren't the same team that's been together for the past three seasons. For the Knicks, this is a very good thing, but the thing is that they haven't exactly been looking like anything special since that Carmelo trade and the break. The New York faithful have been watching a team that's 11 - 12 since March. Rondo and the Celtics have been through a lot of ups and downs this season. Starting off very well with Rondo setting the assists' record through the first five games and finishing the season losing the second seed in a loss to Miami, a team they beat the first three times they met. The Celtics are going to have to depend on the now-brittle Shaq and Jermaine for some help down low, but I think they'll put it out in 6.

Final Count: 4 - 2: Celtics

4) Orlando Magic vs. 5) Atlanta Hawks

I really think that Orlando was a better team with Vince Carter than with Gilbert Arenas, but Orlando hasn't been depending on Gil like they did Vince. Dwight Howard has made vast improvements on his post game, and averaged a career-high 22.9 points per game. To me, Atlanta really hasn't improved much over the past few seasons. They're the same exact team they were last season. Orlando beat Atlanta last year, and they'll do it again this year.

Final Count: 4 - 2: Magic