Matchup 4:
Orlando Magic (3, H) V Indiana Pacers (6, A)
Jrue Holiday V Brandon Jennings
Joe Johnson V Paul George
Shawn Marion V Wilson Chandler
Amar’e Stoudemire V Derrick Williams
Kurt Thomas V Tyson Chandler
--BENCH—
Mo Williams V JJ Barea
Ronnie Brewer V Daequan Cook
OJ Mayo V Mikey Pietrus
Gustavo Ayon V Charlie Villanueva
Nikola Vucevic V Bismack Biyombo
Key Match-Up: Amar’e Stoudemire V Tyson ChandlerChandler and Stoudemire have actually played each other quite a bit, due to Chandler being in the WC with NOR, and Stoudemire being with Phoenix. Stat makes Chandler foul like crazy, and Chandler only moderately bothers Stat for all the trouble.
Key Match-Up: STAT V BiyomboIn a year, maybe three, this matchup has the potential to define the series the same way Shawn Marion’s defense of LeBron during the Finals defines that one. Biyombo has a near-identical height. Likely better athleticism at this point, and all the effort and motor 5 fouls will allow him. I think he’ll do a decent job for a rook, but Stat is the best frontcourt scorer in the NBA (I still believe this…call me crazy, its okay) and he’s out of Melo’s shadow here. He’ll use his veteran wiles and still pretty decent first step to work Biyombo over.
Key Match-Up: Paul George V Joe JohnsonThis is why StartOrien drafted Paul George. Well, he drafted him because the hairdoll, fan-fiction series (critically acclaimed, I might add), and the web-series ‘By Geroge, I Think He Shot It!’ just wasn’t enough to get him through the day anymore, so he made sure to pick the Pacers and pick Paul George as a keeper as well. But this is also a reason why: Because Paul George will mitigate Joe Johnson’s offensive efficacy. Joe Johnson is so effective because he’s smart, he’s a talented ballhandler for a swingman (that came out wrong.), and he’s bigger/stronger than just about any 2-guard they can stick on him. Well, Paul George could do with some carb-loading and P90x, but he’s still 6’10, and quick/strong enough to check Joe Johnson. George is still a work in progress, and this is by no means a ‘win’ for Indy, but the last time these two played each other big minutes, Joe Johnson shot 35% from the field.
Other Starters’ Matchups: Derrick Williams is looking a bit like the PIMP we all knew he was gonna be. Next year, this is an easy win for DW (yes, instead of Derrick Williams, I’m thinking Darkwing Duck), but until he shows some real consistency, this is still a big win for Marion/STAT (when Stat is there). Wilson Chandler (assuming he ever gets his crap together) will own whoever they put at the 3. It’s a very clear advantage Pacers. I like Jrue Holiday over Brandon Jennings by a pretty wide margin, and the numbers back that up.
Bench Matchups: Big win for the Magic, not really worth getting in to.
How I see it going down: The Magic are a pretty darn solid ball-club, but I think (Wilson Chandler notwithstanding) that this will be closer than even the Pacers’ GM thinks it will be. I think because of the young nature of the Pacers, and their reliance on a streaky scoring PG and streaky shooting SG for a decent amount of scoring (and a Rookie, don’t forget about the rookie!), that there is a chance this goes sour south. If they get demoralized in the first two games I don’t think they’d recover. But, I think as long as the Pacers can keep the first two games within throwing distance (as in, feeling like they ‘had a shot’ to win both games), when they bring it home I wouldn’t be surprised if the series went back to Orlando tied 2-2. I see the series going 6 games dependant on some inspired play from Derrick Williams, but ultimately it’s a Magic win.
MAGIC IN 6.
Topic: IP Ranks The Pick-Two Teams By Divison (All Divisions Are Up) (Read 94478 times)