Post by James on Jun 5, 2008 23:54:39 GMT -5
The Play-Offs: Eastern Conference
1 v 8
New York v New Orleans
League MVP Paul Pierce and DPOY Shaquille O’Neal of the 65-17 New York Knicks face Shawn Marion and the 43-39 Hornets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
As he is in most match-ups, the key factor in this series is how New Orleans contain the aforementioned Shaquille O’Neal. The Hornets managed to steal one win from the Knicks during the regular season when they were without O’Neal (by 29 points) however were blown out the water when he was healthy by 36 and 22 respectively.
Michael Redd has struggled defending Paul Pierce however did have a break-out 34 point game against the MVP earlier on in the year. The Hornets will be looking for a strong contribution from Shawn Marion if they want to keep this series close.
Prediction: New York in 4
2 v 7
Milwaukee v Toronto
In what will most definitely result in a high scoring series, Kobe Bryant and his Milwaukee Bucks face Tony Parker and his Toronto Raptors in this years 2 v 7 play-off series in the Eastern Conference.
During the regular season series between the two (which Milwaukee won 3-1), Kevin Garnett was not contained to under 31 point in any of the 4 encounters. In the last match-up, the Big Ticket produced an amazing triple double of 39, 23 and 10, one of the most impressive stat lines the league has ever seen. Because of this, Toronto are going to find it very difficult to overcome the more powerful Bucks even with the brilliance of Tony Parker on their side. With Kobe Bryant guarding him, don’t expect anything huge from the diminutive Frenchmen in this series.
As already stated, the Raptors have no one at all to stop Kevin Garnett however the Bucks have Kobe Bryant to hold Tony Parker.
Prediction: Milwaukee in 4
3 v 6
Philadelphia v Detroit
This is a huge series, which will be one of the most exciting match-ups of the first round. The red hot Sixers lead by Gilbert face a big challenge as they go up against the experienced Pistons lead by scoring dynamite, Allen Iverson.
Although the Sixers won the league series and are one of the hottest teams in the league going into the play-offs, many feel as though this series will go down to the wire and end up finishing at 6 or 7 games.
One key variable in this series is Quentin Richardson who is yet to line-up against the Pistons in a Sixers uniform. He was a big mid-season acquisition for the Sixers and along with Antawn Jamison, Kirk Hinrich and Gilbert Arenas, helped form one of the deadliest scoring threats in the league.
On the flip side, the experienced Pistons comprising of Allen Iverson, Rashard Lewis, Jason Terry and Ben Wallace will rely on a mix of scoring and defence as well as trying to keep the 76ers game pace to a slow rate to win the game.
Prediction: Philadelphia in 6
4 v 5
Miami v Cleveland
In what looks to be an incredibly even match-up, the Vince Carter and Ray Allen lead Heat take on the newly formed Cleveland Cavaliers comprising of Steve Nash, Jermaine O’Neal, Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki.
While the Cavs will look to go inside to All-League 1st team duo O’Neal and Duncan, the Heat will look to do the opposite and hit shots from the outside through Allen and Carter. The difference in playing style will prove to be an interesting aspect of this series.
Miami won the season series and concluded the 4th and final game with a big win, so watch the Cavaliers try and slow the game down and inflict their style onto the series. Again, the Heat will be trying to do the exact opposite and make each game a run and gun affair.
Prediction: Cavs in 7
1 v 8
New York v New Orleans
League MVP Paul Pierce and DPOY Shaquille O’Neal of the 65-17 New York Knicks face Shawn Marion and the 43-39 Hornets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
As he is in most match-ups, the key factor in this series is how New Orleans contain the aforementioned Shaquille O’Neal. The Hornets managed to steal one win from the Knicks during the regular season when they were without O’Neal (by 29 points) however were blown out the water when he was healthy by 36 and 22 respectively.
Michael Redd has struggled defending Paul Pierce however did have a break-out 34 point game against the MVP earlier on in the year. The Hornets will be looking for a strong contribution from Shawn Marion if they want to keep this series close.
Prediction: New York in 4
2 v 7
Milwaukee v Toronto
In what will most definitely result in a high scoring series, Kobe Bryant and his Milwaukee Bucks face Tony Parker and his Toronto Raptors in this years 2 v 7 play-off series in the Eastern Conference.
During the regular season series between the two (which Milwaukee won 3-1), Kevin Garnett was not contained to under 31 point in any of the 4 encounters. In the last match-up, the Big Ticket produced an amazing triple double of 39, 23 and 10, one of the most impressive stat lines the league has ever seen. Because of this, Toronto are going to find it very difficult to overcome the more powerful Bucks even with the brilliance of Tony Parker on their side. With Kobe Bryant guarding him, don’t expect anything huge from the diminutive Frenchmen in this series.
As already stated, the Raptors have no one at all to stop Kevin Garnett however the Bucks have Kobe Bryant to hold Tony Parker.
Prediction: Milwaukee in 4
3 v 6
Philadelphia v Detroit
This is a huge series, which will be one of the most exciting match-ups of the first round. The red hot Sixers lead by Gilbert face a big challenge as they go up against the experienced Pistons lead by scoring dynamite, Allen Iverson.
Although the Sixers won the league series and are one of the hottest teams in the league going into the play-offs, many feel as though this series will go down to the wire and end up finishing at 6 or 7 games.
One key variable in this series is Quentin Richardson who is yet to line-up against the Pistons in a Sixers uniform. He was a big mid-season acquisition for the Sixers and along with Antawn Jamison, Kirk Hinrich and Gilbert Arenas, helped form one of the deadliest scoring threats in the league.
On the flip side, the experienced Pistons comprising of Allen Iverson, Rashard Lewis, Jason Terry and Ben Wallace will rely on a mix of scoring and defence as well as trying to keep the 76ers game pace to a slow rate to win the game.
Prediction: Philadelphia in 6
4 v 5
Miami v Cleveland
In what looks to be an incredibly even match-up, the Vince Carter and Ray Allen lead Heat take on the newly formed Cleveland Cavaliers comprising of Steve Nash, Jermaine O’Neal, Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki.
While the Cavs will look to go inside to All-League 1st team duo O’Neal and Duncan, the Heat will look to do the opposite and hit shots from the outside through Allen and Carter. The difference in playing style will prove to be an interesting aspect of this series.
Miami won the season series and concluded the 4th and final game with a big win, so watch the Cavaliers try and slow the game down and inflict their style onto the series. Again, the Heat will be trying to do the exact opposite and make each game a run and gun affair.
Prediction: Cavs in 7
