NBA Playoffs 2010-2011 PREDICTIONS

[PosImpos]

It's that time again!



Eastern Conference:

Round 1:


1. Bulls vs. 8. Pacers
- Bulls Win in 4

2. Heat vs. 7. Sixers
- Heat Win in 5

3. Celtics vs. 6. Knicks
- Celtics Win in 7

4. Magic vs. 5. Hawks
- Hawks Win in 6


Round 2:

1. Bulls vs. 5. Hawks
- Bulls Win in 5

2. Heat vs. 3. Celtics
- Heat Win in 6


Eastern Conference Finals:

1. Bulls vs. 2. Heat
- Bulls Win in 7



Western Conference:


Round 1:


1. Spurs vs. 8. Grizzlies
- Spurs Win in 6

3. Mavericks vs. 6. Blazers
- Mavericks Win in 5

2. Lakers vs. 7. Hornets
- Lakers Win in 5

4. Thunder vs. 5. Nuggets
- Thunder Win in 7


Round 2:


1. Spurs vs. 4. Thunder
- Spurs Win in 6

2. Lakers vs. 3. Mavericks
- Lakers Win in 5


Western Conference Finals:

1. Spurs vs. 3. Lakers
- Spurs Win in 7



Finals:

Spurs vs. Bulls
- Spurs Win in 7


San Antonio Spurs Win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship!

Finals MVP: Manu Ginobili




If the matchups change in the next few days I may have to change this, but I doubt they will.

I see just picking the higher seed worked out well for you.

I only whiffed on the Spurs in the first round.

Show me somebody other than Charles Barkley who thought that the Grizzlies would win that series in 6.

I also called the Hawks upset.

Obviously, the Spurs being upset changes my whole bracket, but that's what happens when there's a major upset.

[wiley]

It's that time again!



Eastern Conference:

Round 1:


1. Bulls vs. 8. Pacers
- Bulls Win in 4

2. Heat vs. 7. Sixers
- Heat Win in 5

3. Celtics vs. 6. Knicks
- Celtics Win in 7

4. Magic vs. 5. Hawks
- Hawks Win in 6


Round 2:

1. Bulls vs. 5. Hawks
- Bulls Win in 5

2. Heat vs. 3. Celtics
- Heat Win in 6


Eastern Conference Finals:

1. Bulls vs. 2. Heat
- Bulls Win in 7



Western Conference:


Round 1:


1. Spurs vs. 8. Grizzlies
- Spurs Win in 6

3. Mavericks vs. 6. Blazers
- Mavericks Win in 5

2. Lakers vs. 7. Hornets
- Lakers Win in 5

4. Thunder vs. 5. Nuggets
- Thunder Win in 7


Round 2:


1. Spurs vs. 4. Thunder
- Spurs Win in 6

2. Lakers vs. 3. Mavericks
- Lakers Win in 5


Western Conference Finals:

1. Spurs vs. 3. Lakers
- Spurs Win in 7



Finals:

Spurs vs. Bulls
- Spurs Win in 7


San Antonio Spurs Win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship!

Finals MVP: Manu Ginobili




If the matchups change in the next few days I may have to change this, but I doubt they will.

I see just picking the higher seed worked out well for you.

I only whiffed on the Spurs in the first round.

Show me somebody other than Charles Barkley who thought that the Grizzlies would win that series in 6.

I also called the Hawks upset.

Obviously, the Spurs being upset changes my whole bracket, but that's what happens when there's a major upset.

I had the Grizzlies over the Spurs in 7.  They're even better than I thought.  When a team is overmatched physically, there's usually not much that can be done.  That's why I picked them not only against the Thunder but also against the Lakers.  They're too big, young and energetic.  And they know how to play ball.  Once the Lakers realize this they'll get briefly dirty, and when that doesn't work they'll fold.

[PosImpos]

It's that time again!



Eastern Conference:

Round 1:


1. Bulls vs. 8. Pacers
- Bulls Win in 4

2. Heat vs. 7. Sixers
- Heat Win in 5

3. Celtics vs. 6. Knicks
- Celtics Win in 7

4. Magic vs. 5. Hawks
- Hawks Win in 6


Round 2:

1. Bulls vs. 5. Hawks
- Bulls Win in 5

2. Heat vs. 3. Celtics
- Heat Win in 6


Eastern Conference Finals:

1. Bulls vs. 2. Heat
- Bulls Win in 7



Western Conference:


Round 1:


1. Spurs vs. 8. Grizzlies
- Spurs Win in 6

3. Mavericks vs. 6. Blazers
- Mavericks Win in 5

2. Lakers vs. 7. Hornets
- Lakers Win in 5

4. Thunder vs. 5. Nuggets
- Thunder Win in 7


Round 2:


1. Spurs vs. 4. Thunder
- Spurs Win in 6

2. Lakers vs. 3. Mavericks
- Lakers Win in 5


Western Conference Finals:

1. Spurs vs. 3. Lakers
- Spurs Win in 7



Finals:

Spurs vs. Bulls
- Spurs Win in 7


San Antonio Spurs Win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship!

Finals MVP: Manu Ginobili




If the matchups change in the next few days I may have to change this, but I doubt they will.

I see just picking the higher seed worked out well for you.

I only whiffed on the Spurs in the first round.

Show me somebody other than Charles Barkley who thought that the Grizzlies would win that series in 6.

I also called the Hawks upset.

Obviously, the Spurs being upset changes my whole bracket, but that's what happens when there's a major upset.

I had the Grizzlies over the Spurs in 7.  They're even better than I thought.  When a team is overmatched physically, there's usually not much that can be done.  That's why I picked them not only against the Thunder but also against the Lakers.  They're too big, young and energetic.  And they know how to play ball.  Once the Lakers realize this they'll get briefly dirty, and when that doesn't work they'll fold.

Well, hats off to you for picking them, but the vast majority of people picked the Spurs, as I did.  I stand by my belief that if the Spurs had beaten the Grizz, they would have had a very good chance of going all the way. 

[wiley]

It's that time again!



Eastern Conference:

Round 1:


1. Bulls vs. 8. Pacers
- Bulls Win in 4

2. Heat vs. 7. Sixers
- Heat Win in 5

3. Celtics vs. 6. Knicks
- Celtics Win in 7

4. Magic vs. 5. Hawks
- Hawks Win in 6


Round 2:

1. Bulls vs. 5. Hawks
- Bulls Win in 5

2. Heat vs. 3. Celtics
- Heat Win in 6


Eastern Conference Finals:

1. Bulls vs. 2. Heat
- Bulls Win in 7



Western Conference:


Round 1:


1. Spurs vs. 8. Grizzlies
- Spurs Win in 6

3. Mavericks vs. 6. Blazers
- Mavericks Win in 5

2. Lakers vs. 7. Hornets
- Lakers Win in 5

4. Thunder vs. 5. Nuggets
- Thunder Win in 7


Round 2:


1. Spurs vs. 4. Thunder
- Spurs Win in 6

2. Lakers vs. 3. Mavericks
- Lakers Win in 5


Western Conference Finals:

1. Spurs vs. 3. Lakers
- Spurs Win in 7



Finals:

Spurs vs. Bulls
- Spurs Win in 7


San Antonio Spurs Win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship!

Finals MVP: Manu Ginobili




If the matchups change in the next few days I may have to change this, but I doubt they will.

I see just picking the higher seed worked out well for you.

I only whiffed on the Spurs in the first round.

Show me somebody other than Charles Barkley who thought that the Grizzlies would win that series in 6.

I also called the Hawks upset.

Obviously, the Spurs being upset changes my whole bracket, but that's what happens when there's a major upset.

I had the Grizzlies over the Spurs in 7.  They're even better than I thought.  When a team is overmatched physically, there's usually not much that can be done.  That's why I picked them not only against the Thunder but also against the Lakers.  They're too big, young and energetic.  And they know how to play ball.  Once the Lakers realize this they'll get briefly dirty, and when that doesn't work they'll fold.

Well, hats off to you for picking them, but the vast majority of people picked the Spurs, as I did.  I stand by my belief that if the Spurs had beaten the Grizz, they would have had a very good chance of going all the way. 

thanks.  I based it partly on Tim Duncan getting too old to play his usual brand of playoff basketball.  He can do what the need all season long, but then the physicality has to be there at another level. 

And the Griz are  just playing well now and seem pretty grounded....but as they go further it could get harder, if due only to mounting pressure...so far they're still playing fancy free. Let's see if and when the capacity to play this way expires.   I think they can ride it past the Thunder and Lakers, but then, in the end, the combination of a seasoned Celtics team with a healthy Shaq, plus the gravity of the occasion, will be too much for them.   Hoping the latter is the case, at least.

[PosImpos]

It's that time again!



Eastern Conference:

Round 1:


1. Bulls vs. 8. Pacers
- Bulls Win in 4

2. Heat vs. 7. Sixers
- Heat Win in 5

3. Celtics vs. 6. Knicks
- Celtics Win in 7

4. Magic vs. 5. Hawks
- Hawks Win in 6


Round 2:

1. Bulls vs. 5. Hawks
- Bulls Win in 5

2. Heat vs. 3. Celtics
- Heat Win in 6


Eastern Conference Finals:

1. Bulls vs. 2. Heat
- Bulls Win in 7



Western Conference:


Round 1:


1. Spurs vs. 8. Grizzlies
- Spurs Win in 6

3. Mavericks vs. 6. Blazers
- Mavericks Win in 5

2. Lakers vs. 7. Hornets
- Lakers Win in 5

4. Thunder vs. 5. Nuggets
- Thunder Win in 7


Round 2:


1. Spurs vs. 4. Thunder
- Spurs Win in 6

2. Lakers vs. 3. Mavericks
- Lakers Win in 5


Western Conference Finals:

1. Spurs vs. 3. Lakers
- Spurs Win in 7



Finals:

Spurs vs. Bulls
- Spurs Win in 7


San Antonio Spurs Win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship!

Finals MVP: Manu Ginobili




If the matchups change in the next few days I may have to change this, but I doubt they will.

I see just picking the higher seed worked out well for you.

I only whiffed on the Spurs in the first round.

Show me somebody other than Charles Barkley who thought that the Grizzlies would win that series in 6.

I also called the Hawks upset.

Obviously, the Spurs being upset changes my whole bracket, but that's what happens when there's a major upset.

I had the Grizzlies over the Spurs in 7.  They're even better than I thought.  When a team is overmatched physically, there's usually not much that can be done.  That's why I picked them not only against the Thunder but also against the Lakers.  They're too big, young and energetic.  And they know how to play ball.  Once the Lakers realize this they'll get briefly dirty, and when that doesn't work they'll fold.

Well, hats off to you for picking them, but the vast majority of people picked the Spurs, as I did.  I stand by my belief that if the Spurs had beaten the Grizz, they would have had a very good chance of going all the way. 

thanks.  I based it partly on Tim Duncan getting too old to play his usual brand of playoff basketball.  He can do what the need all season long, but then the physicality has to be there at another level. 

And the Griz are  just playing well now and seem pretty grounded....but as they go further it could get harder, if due only to mounting pressure...so far they're still playing fancy free. Let's see if and when the capacity to play this way expires.   I think they can ride it past the Thunder and Lakers, but then, in the end, the combination of a seasoned Celtics team with a healthy Shaq, plus the gravity of the occasion, will be too much for them.   Hoping the latter is the case, at least.

The only way I could see the Grizz making the Finals is if the Mavs get past the Lakers.  I think the Mavs would have a lot of trouble with the Grizz.  The Lakers, on the other hand, have the size and skill up front to match the Grizz, and they have the experience and execution to overcome the Grizz in tight spots.  Not to mention they'll have HCA.

My hopes are resting on the Bulls right now.

[wiley]

Yeah I think the Bulls would do better against L.A. than Miami, for example.

I do think the Grizzlies could take the Lakers.  I could see the Lakers, after being overmatched physcially on the wing but also with Zach, trying to get under the skin of the Grizzlies by trying to bate them into silly fouls and possible techs, etcc....but if the Griz keep their cool and don't let themselves get baited, I think they have the physical tools to get it done.....

It will be interesting to see how the Lakers respond if Dallas pressures them, for example by going up 2-1 in the series, etc...Will Artest get dirty?  Will Odom body check Dirk?

[PosImpos]

I think on paper the Grizzlies have a shot at giving the Lakers a lot of trouble.  They have all the necessary ingredients -- tough wing defenders, a speedy point guard who can pass and shoot, a productive bench, and (most importantly) a huge, productive front court that can score in a number of ways and defend.  

I just think the Lakers will prevail in that matchup because they have the championship experience, the better coach (with all respect to Hollins), and a killer home court advantage.


All that said, the Grizzlies haven't defeated the Thunder yet.  We'll see what happens.

[LilRip]

i posted much much earlier in this thread, but i want to bump up my opinion:

THUNDER V. CELTICS IN THE FINALS!!! book it

btw, C's win in 6 over MIA