Second Round Predictions

As anticipated, no “expert” in the world predicted the 1^st Round correctly.  Since the Spurs and Magic were unable to turn on the switch after stumbling to the finish of the regular season, they proceeded to destroy my original predictions (though my Finals prediction of Lakers Heat is still intact).   

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

(4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies

Season Series:  Memphis won 3-1

Prediction:  Thunder in 6

Obviously, Memphis has proven they are a force to be reckoned with.  This will be a long and grueling series, as both teams are young and athletic at every position with veteran experience.  The biggest difference in this series, however, is matchups with regard to Memphis facing OKC rather than San Antonio, particularly at the point guard position.  Russell Westbrook should have his way against Mike Conley with his relatively consistent jump shooting and slashing ability.  Tony Parker is more so a slasher and is extremely streaky from the perimeter.  When he’s cold,the inside presence of the Grizzlies (Randolph, Gasol, Darrell Arthur) were able to contain Parker’s ability to attack the paint.  He made several careless plays down the stretch of Friday’s Game 6 to boot. 

(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Dallas Mavericks

Season Series:  Lakers won 2-1

Prediction: Lakers in 5

While I previously wrote that the Mavs are talented enough to beat LA, their lack of killer instinct shown most recently against the Portland Trailblazers in Game 4 has verified their mental fragility.  Needless to say, that will easily derail their chances against LA. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks

Season Series:  Bulls won 2-1

Prediction: Bulls in 5

After Jameer Nelson infamously told Derrick Rose “See you in the second round!” after their last regular season meeting (horrible, horrible decision by Jameer, by the way), Derrick will think Jameer’s a liar when he sees the surprisingly resilient Hawks squad on the other side of the court instead of the Magic. 

You have to give credit to the Hawks for getting here, regardless how poorly the Magic played.  At the end of the day, though, Orlando would still have been a better suited to beat the Bulls than the Hawks are.  I can’t see Jamal Crawford and Joe Johnson putting up big numbers consistently, but I do see Derrick Rose continuing his remarkable playoff run.  With Kirk Hinrich’s injury, Rose will have nobody in his way to stop him.  If Hinrich were healthy, I would give the Hawks a much better chance to make this series interesting. 

(2) Miami Heat vs. (3) Boston Celtics

Season Series:  Celtics won 3-1

Prediction: Heat in 7

This is easily the best series of the 2^nd round.  As Chris Bosh said, everyone knew this series was going to happen, and the Heat would have to go through Boston in order to win a championship.  Is Miami ready to dethrone the reigning Eastern Conference champs?  I think they will be.  My only asterisk to this prediction is that Spoelstra still may not have learned to NOT let LeBron have the ball late in close games.