2010 NBA PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

 

It's that time of year when I make a prat out of myself. Another round of Matt G's playoff predictions:

EAST

Cavs vs Bulls: Well for the Cavs this is their fifth trip to the playoffs in a row. For the Bulls it is their second trip in a row. On paper this is pretty straightforward. The Bulls are a solid team but surely they don't have LeBron's class. Luol is back in business though he doesn't seem to be on top form and the Cavs rested a lot of players in the tail end of the season that they're only just bringing back for the playoffs. I don't expect the Bulls to lie down and die but I will say Cavs in 5.

Celtics vs Heat: For the Celtics this is their third trip to the playoffs in a row. For the Heat it's their second trip in a row. It is also a very hard series to call. Both teams know how to win NBA championships. The Celtics may have collected another division title this season but their form has been very hit and miss while the Heat have looked anything but. Still, how reliant are the Heat on Dwayne Wade? What would happen if the Celtics could shut him down? It'll be a seven gamer for sure, I'll call Celtics.

Hawks vs Bucks: For the Hawks this is their third playoff trip in a row. For the Bucks it's their first playoff trip since '06. Well the Hawks have become a team that know how to do playoff basketball. The Bucks in the meantime are riding high off the exploits of Brandon Jennings. How much of an impact will he have in this series? Well there's only so much one guy can do. The Hawks look like the safe bet to win this one but I can't see them Having it all their own way. Hawks in 6.

Magic vs Bobcats: For the Magic it's their fourth trip to the playoffs in a row. For the Bobcats it's their first trip to the NBA playoffs since they were started up in the summer of '04. In theory this matchup is straight forward, as the guys at NBA.com say, it's not as if MJ is actually going to be playing for the Bobcats. They've proven to have their uses in the regular season but the Magic have their number and will surely win this one. Will it be a sweep? Chances are, yes. Magic in 4.

WEST

Lakers vs Thunder: For the Lakers this is their fifth trip to the playoffs in a row. The Thunder? Well this is their first playoff appearance in their current incarnation and the last playoff appearance of their predecessors the Seattle Supersonics was in '05. The Lakers are clearly the better team in this matchup despite injury issues with Kobe. Kevin Durant is clearly establishing himself as a member of the NBA's elite but his backup crew will be found wanting. Lakers in 5.

Nuggets vs Jazz: For the Nuggets this is an amazing seventh playoff trip in a row. For the Jazz this is their fourth in a row. The Nuggets are surely the better side here on paper even though the current Jazz side aren't useless either. Having said that the Jazz are coming into this series with injury trouble. The Nuggets in the meantime have to do without their head coach as George Karl is having to take a timeout to fight cancer. Best wishes to him. In the meantime, Nuggets in 6.

Suns vs Blazers: Well the Suns had an off-year last time around - this is their first playoff trip since '08. For the Blazers it's their second playoff trip in a row. Well having got rid of a space-taking Shaq the Suns are back doing what they do, no questions asked. Can the Blazers do anything about them? Not with their injuries they can't starting with Brandon Roy being expected to carry a dodgy knee. The Blazers have a reputation for being stubborn gits but I reckon it's going to be Suns in 4.

Mavs vs Spurs: Well for the Mavs this is their 10th playoff trip in a row. For the Spurs it's an even more amazing 13th in a row. These two teams know each other very well so what'll happen this time around? Well there's concerns over the Spurs fitness and NBA.com claim that Tim Duncan may even be starting to get old. Still the Spurs are no mugs. Having said that, neither are the Mavs. It is going to be a 7 gamer, that much is dead cert. As the Mavs have homecourt advantage I'll call it for them.

So if that's how things played out, how would it go from there?

CONFERENCE SEMI FNALS

Cavs vs Celtics: Tasty, but Cavs in 6.

Magic vs Hawks: Hawks are no mugs, but Magic in 6.

Lakers vs Nuggets: Lakers in 6.

Mavs vs Suns: An interesting one, maybe Mavs in 7 given that they'd have homecourt advantage.

CONFERENCE FINALS

Cavs vs Magic: Cavs in 6

Lakers vs Mavs: Lakers in 6

NBA FINALS

Cavs vs Lakers: Cavs would have homecourt advantage and this is surely their year. Cavs in 6

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