2009 NBA PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

 

OK, we know the score by now, it's the playoffs and 16 teams have a possible route to the title mapped out. How are things going to go down though?

 

EAST

Cavs vs Pistons: Well this two sides certainly know each other very well. It's the Cavs fourth playoff appearance in a row. It's also the Pistons eights playoff appearance in a row. It's also a rematch of the '07 Eastern Conference Finals. And yet it feels as though there can only be one winner this time around. The Pistons may have Allen Iversen but given the way they scrapped into the playoffs, it seems as though he hasn't quite gelled yet. And yet this is the playoffs, it's not implausible for an AI-fired Pistons to mug the Cavs. It's unlikely though. Still, the Cavs are also unlikely to claim a sweep here. If the Cavs are lucky they'll win it in five but the safer bet is to call it as Cavs in 6.

Hawks vs Heat: Well for the Hawks this is their second playoff appearance in a row. For the Heat, this is their first playoff appearance since '07. The Hawks have homecourt advantage here and their fans might be tempted to count chickens after a decent run last year. That would not be a good idea. The Heat have Dwayne Wade. The Hawks do not. Furthermore, after missing out last season, the Heat have something to prove. If anything, the Hawks may have too much pressure on them but homecourt advantage will still count for something, enough not to get swept at least. However, surely the Heat will win this one and I'll call it as Heat in five.

Magic vs Sixers: Well for the Magic it's their third playoff appearance in a row. For the Sixers, it's the second appearance in a row. Well the Magic not only have home court advantage here, they also have Dwight Howard and theSixers don't have any individuals that can really match them. What the Sixers do have is a good fast break game but their defence will need to be on top form to get that to work effectivly. Combo Howard with some good three point threats and this'll surely be a Magic win. The question then becomes, are the Sixers going to get swept or not. Well this is the one series in the East where the sweep is definately on so I'm going to say Magic in four.

Celtics vs Bulls: Well for the Celtics it's their second playoff appearance in a row and it's the Bulls first trip to the postseason since '07. Back in the day this would be Larry Bird vs Michael Jordan. Nowadays it would be Kevin Garnett vs Luol Deng...if both players weren't injured. Garnett in particular is irreplacable for the Celtics. How do you replace the irreplacable? You don't even try, the defending champions have plenty of other options. The Bulls have a decent squad even without Luol as well. So this'll certainly be one of the tighter series. The thing to bear in mind though is that the Celtics know how to win a title. The Bulls do not. I'm calling it Celtics in 6.

WEST

Lakers vs Jazz: For the Lakers it's their fourth playoff appearance in a row, for the Jazz it's their third in a row. It's also a rematch of a Conference semifinal matchup from last year. This time around it looks a lot more straightforward though. People on NBA.com have been arguing that Kobe has just been cruising through the regular season. Well if that's the case then the Jazz are in deep trouble. Their main men have not been on the best of form. There's some suggestion that the Lakers have bench issues but even if that's the case then for this series it'll be irrelevant. Lakers to win no questions asked. Sweep? Yeah, OK, I'll call it Lakers in 4.

Blazers vs Rockets: For the Blazers, it's their first playoff appearance since '03 so the fact that they have home court advantage here is seriously impressive. For the Rockets it's their third playoff appearance in a row. For the Blazers it's the first playoff appearance for the likes of Brandon Roy and Greg Oden and they generaly have a slid unit. The Rockets still have TMac and Yao though and Dekembe "not in my house" Mutombo's still hanging around. The Rockets clearly have the better unit here but I wouldn't expect the Blazers to get swept either. It'll be quite a learning curve for them though, even with home court advantage, and I'll go for Rockets in five.

Spurs vs Mavs: It's an amazing 12th playoff appearance in a row for the Spurs and also an impressive eighth in a row for the Mavs and the two sets have rumbled enough times in the playoffs to make this Texan derby the highlight of the round. The biggest thing the Spurs have to bear in mind is that they're without the injured Ginobli. However they have enough other options that they're unlikely to miss him too much. The Mavs are going to be reliant on Nowitski to get them through this. Overall, both sides are going to be going full power. The Spurs home court advantage should see them through but the Mavs won't make it easy. I'll go Spurs in seven.

Nuggets vs Hornets: Well for the Nuggets it's their sixth playoff appearance in a row, for the Hornets, their second. This is an interesting matchup given that for a 2 vs 7 both sides look to be relatively even in terms of quality players. The main thing that could be an issue is possible injury trouble for the Hornets. The Nuggets are fully fit so that's the first edge gained. The second of course is homecourt advantage. The bottom line is that neither side may have the best of playoff records(it's been a few years since the Nuggets have actually won a series) but still, the home court teams looks to be the safe bet. Chances are it won't be smooth but I'll go far Nuggets in 6.

So how would things play out after this?

CONFERENCE SEMI FINALS

Cavs vs Heat: The Heat would give the Cavs trouble but nothing they couldn't handle. Cavs in six.

Celtics vs Magic: This would all depend on whether KG was fit again or not. Current speculations says not so here's where the Celtics title defence would end. Magic in 6.

Lakers vs Rockets: What would be tasty stuff here, but the Lakers have the form. Lakers in 6.

Nuggets vs Spurs: Nuggets would have home court advantagebut the Spurs would know what they're doing. Spurs in 6.

CONFERENCE FINALS

Cavs vs Magic: This would be a tight rumble but it would be Cavs in 7.

Lakers vs Spurs: A rumble between the conference's long time heaveyweights. Lakers in 7.

NBA FINALS

Cavs vs Lakers: The Cavs would actually have homecourt advantage here and certainly wouldn't get swept but the Lakers would have more experience. Lakers in 6.

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