Post by kg on Oct 19, 2006 15:48:12 GMT -5
Eastern Conference
Washington Wizards (1) vs. Philadephia 76ers (4)
The Wizards finished the regular season on fire, on the back of the acquisition of Baron Davis to partner Gilbert Arenas in a dynamic backcourt duo.
Meanwhile, the stellar play of Allen Iverson (despite suffering a crippling injury last season) and the overnight development of Greg Oden as one of the most menacing frontcourt player in the league, propelled the 76ers into contention.
The PG match-up of Davis vs. Iverson is sure to be a highlight. While Andre Iguodala will need to keep the potent Gilbert Arenas under wraps if the 76ers are to remain competitive. However, on the back of their frontcourt superiority (Oden, Dalembert and Webber), the 76ers look the pick to overcome the Wizards' homecourt advantage and upset the #1 seeds.
Prediction: 76ers in 6
Chicago Bulls (2) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (3)
The Cavaliers line-up was highly rated around the league, especially after the trade bringing Paul Pierce over from Boston. However, his addition appeared to have a negative effect on the team's chemistry, with the Cavs struggling to be much more than a .500 ball team.
On the other hand, the Bulls went from strength to strength, unexpectedly after trading frontcourt stalwart Ben Wallace to the Warriors for young gun Monta Ellis.
Both these teams have been forced to an interesting mix of what some would call 'small ball' with regular SFs Luol Deng and LeBron James running at PF due to limited frontcourt stocks.
The Bulls' offensive threat stems from their young combo of Hinrich, Gordon and Morrison, relying on Deng and Martin to stop opposing big men.
The Cavs have scorers across the board led by James, Pierce and Hughes, with Billups aiming to add a spark off the bench. Defensive stopper Marcus Camby was huge in Round One, sharing the lead in blocked shots per game (4.0)
These two teams follow similar systems and match up well in most areas. However, the key factor will be how much containing Luol Deng can do on LeBron James who thrived at PF in Round One. The potency of Hinrich, Gordon and Morrison will need to be consistently high if the Bulls are to pull this series out. Another upset looks on the cards, with the lower ranked Cavs set to take out the Central Divisions' regular season leaders, the Bulls.
Prediction: Cavs in 7
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (5)
The Mavericks sport the best duo in the league today, in Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki. However, to date, they have failed to live up to the hype, crashing out early in last season's playoff race. Dallas GM, HoS, has stood by the bulk of his team, hoping for a change of fate this year.
The Suns bring one of the best overall line-ups in the league to this series with Marion and Stoudemire challenging KG and Dirk as the best duo in the league. However, with the liberty of having Steve Nash running the point as well as all-rounder Boris Diaw in support, its a wonder why Phoenix didn't finish higher during the regular season.
In the end, this series will pit Garnett vs. Marion and Nowitzki vs. Stoudemire and is sure to be one of the most antipated match-ups of this second round of the playoffs. Look for Steve Nash to have a big series up against Anthony Johnson and lead the Suns to a surprise victory, sending the Mavs crashing out for the second year running.
Prediction: Suns in 6
Los Angeles Lakers (2) vs. San Antonio Spurs (3)
Kobe's Lakers vs. TD's Spurs. Both teams finished with identical records during the regular season with the Lakers grabbing the higher seed by virtue of the Mavericks having already clinched the top seed for the Midwest.
KB8 torched the Wolves defence in the first round, leading all scorers with 33.7ppg, with the Lakers scraping paste the Wolves in 7. Meanwhile, TD was quiet by his own standards, failing to display his dominating self, not featuring in either the scoring or rebounding leaders for the first round. However, the Spurs beat the Kings in 5, in what was a relative non-contest.
While, Kobe will be kept busy by Ginobili and Duncan by Sheed, it could again be the remaining players on these teams who step up and make a difference. In that regard, the Spurs seems to have the depth to make a difference, led by Tony Parker.
Prediction: Spurs in 7
Washington Wizards (1) vs. Philadephia 76ers (4)
The Wizards finished the regular season on fire, on the back of the acquisition of Baron Davis to partner Gilbert Arenas in a dynamic backcourt duo.
Meanwhile, the stellar play of Allen Iverson (despite suffering a crippling injury last season) and the overnight development of Greg Oden as one of the most menacing frontcourt player in the league, propelled the 76ers into contention.
The PG match-up of Davis vs. Iverson is sure to be a highlight. While Andre Iguodala will need to keep the potent Gilbert Arenas under wraps if the 76ers are to remain competitive. However, on the back of their frontcourt superiority (Oden, Dalembert and Webber), the 76ers look the pick to overcome the Wizards' homecourt advantage and upset the #1 seeds.
Prediction: 76ers in 6
Chicago Bulls (2) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (3)
The Cavaliers line-up was highly rated around the league, especially after the trade bringing Paul Pierce over from Boston. However, his addition appeared to have a negative effect on the team's chemistry, with the Cavs struggling to be much more than a .500 ball team.
On the other hand, the Bulls went from strength to strength, unexpectedly after trading frontcourt stalwart Ben Wallace to the Warriors for young gun Monta Ellis.
Both these teams have been forced to an interesting mix of what some would call 'small ball' with regular SFs Luol Deng and LeBron James running at PF due to limited frontcourt stocks.
The Bulls' offensive threat stems from their young combo of Hinrich, Gordon and Morrison, relying on Deng and Martin to stop opposing big men.
The Cavs have scorers across the board led by James, Pierce and Hughes, with Billups aiming to add a spark off the bench. Defensive stopper Marcus Camby was huge in Round One, sharing the lead in blocked shots per game (4.0)
These two teams follow similar systems and match up well in most areas. However, the key factor will be how much containing Luol Deng can do on LeBron James who thrived at PF in Round One. The potency of Hinrich, Gordon and Morrison will need to be consistently high if the Bulls are to pull this series out. Another upset looks on the cards, with the lower ranked Cavs set to take out the Central Divisions' regular season leaders, the Bulls.
Prediction: Cavs in 7
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (5)
The Mavericks sport the best duo in the league today, in Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki. However, to date, they have failed to live up to the hype, crashing out early in last season's playoff race. Dallas GM, HoS, has stood by the bulk of his team, hoping for a change of fate this year.
The Suns bring one of the best overall line-ups in the league to this series with Marion and Stoudemire challenging KG and Dirk as the best duo in the league. However, with the liberty of having Steve Nash running the point as well as all-rounder Boris Diaw in support, its a wonder why Phoenix didn't finish higher during the regular season.
In the end, this series will pit Garnett vs. Marion and Nowitzki vs. Stoudemire and is sure to be one of the most antipated match-ups of this second round of the playoffs. Look for Steve Nash to have a big series up against Anthony Johnson and lead the Suns to a surprise victory, sending the Mavs crashing out for the second year running.
Prediction: Suns in 6
Los Angeles Lakers (2) vs. San Antonio Spurs (3)
Kobe's Lakers vs. TD's Spurs. Both teams finished with identical records during the regular season with the Lakers grabbing the higher seed by virtue of the Mavericks having already clinched the top seed for the Midwest.
KB8 torched the Wolves defence in the first round, leading all scorers with 33.7ppg, with the Lakers scraping paste the Wolves in 7. Meanwhile, TD was quiet by his own standards, failing to display his dominating self, not featuring in either the scoring or rebounding leaders for the first round. However, the Spurs beat the Kings in 5, in what was a relative non-contest.
While, Kobe will be kept busy by Ginobili and Duncan by Sheed, it could again be the remaining players on these teams who step up and make a difference. In that regard, the Spurs seems to have the depth to make a difference, led by Tony Parker.
Prediction: Spurs in 7
