The Conference Semifinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs will tip off in just under 2 hours of me posting this article and compared to the 2012 NBA Playoffs, I feel like I'm hitting the lottery so far with my 1st round picks so I'm hoping to keep it up as the playoffs continue.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Miami Heat vs (5) Chicago Bulls
Chicago showed alot of grit and toughness against Brooklyn winning the serious despite multiple players with illnesses and injuries. These 2 teams always bring alot of entertainment when they step on the court against each other. Although Miami has beaten Chicago since, don't think either team forgot who snapped who's 27 game win streak in March. This series is going to be more interesting than most expect. In order for the Bulls to get past Lebron and the Heat, they're going to need the last person to win the MVP award not named Lebron to actually suit up and play. Miami in 6.
(2) New York Knicks vs (3) Indiana Pacers
Well, Melo is out of the first round, no more pressure. He can get swept by the Pacers and while there will always be criticism for not winning a ring yet, Melo will have gone farther than ever before. Once again, no pressure. With that being said, the Knicks faced just the type of pressure they needed to against a veteran Boston team. With a 3-0 series lead, New York gave up 2 consecutive games and a 20-0 lead in Game 6 to an experienced Celtic team that refused to quit in a series that people, including myself, expected to go 7 games, looked like a possible sweep, and then had hopes of a 7 game series once again. In the worst, most boring, and least entertaining series in the first round, the Pacers struggled with a sub-par Atlanta Hawks team that took them to a 6th game. The Knicks learned alot in their first round series, the Pacers didn't. New York wasn't allowed to quit until 0:00 was on the clock in their 4th win of the series, Indiana was. Melo will be more consistent in this series, JR won't get suspended, the Knicks will take care of business. KEY FACTOR: Does STAT come back before, after, or during Game 3 of this series. New York in 6.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (5) Memphis Grizzlies
Westbrook is supposedly out for the playoffs. I have my doubts about this after David Lee's early and unexpected comeback. Kevin Durant better unleash that mean streak we all know he has in this series because it's going to take all of that and a bag of tricks to get the Thunder out of this round with the most athletic point guard in the game. Memphis exploited a Clippers team that some expected to challenge Miami in the finals so this team is nothing to sleep on. With all of this being said, this will be a physical series either won or lost in the paint. MATCHUP TO WATCH: Serge Ibaka vs Zach Randolph. KD shows out and scores 40 in at least 4 games. Memphis doesn't know how to stop him. Oklahoma City in 7.
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs (6) Golden State Warriors
While no one expected the Lakers to beat the Spurs, the way San Antonio dismantled the Lakers was unexpected. Pop did his thing, stuck to the strategy, got the sweep, and has been resting since last Sunday, and his 3 30 year old stars don't have to step on the court again until Monday. Against Golden State, they'll need that rest. Steph Curry is undoubtedly the MVP of the playoffs so far. David Lee's miraculous comeback, has brought more interest into this series and the coaching matchup is better than most think: Pop vs Mark Jackson. This will be a clash of styles, slow and methodical vs run and gun. Once again, I can't go against Pop. San Antonio in 7.
Round 1 Series Record: 6-2
Conference Semis: .....
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Miami Heat vs (5) Chicago Bulls
Chicago showed alot of grit and toughness against Brooklyn winning the serious despite multiple players with illnesses and injuries. These 2 teams always bring alot of entertainment when they step on the court against each other. Although Miami has beaten Chicago since, don't think either team forgot who snapped who's 27 game win streak in March. This series is going to be more interesting than most expect. In order for the Bulls to get past Lebron and the Heat, they're going to need the last person to win the MVP award not named Lebron to actually suit up and play. Miami in 6.
(2) New York Knicks vs (3) Indiana Pacers
Well, Melo is out of the first round, no more pressure. He can get swept by the Pacers and while there will always be criticism for not winning a ring yet, Melo will have gone farther than ever before. Once again, no pressure. With that being said, the Knicks faced just the type of pressure they needed to against a veteran Boston team. With a 3-0 series lead, New York gave up 2 consecutive games and a 20-0 lead in Game 6 to an experienced Celtic team that refused to quit in a series that people, including myself, expected to go 7 games, looked like a possible sweep, and then had hopes of a 7 game series once again. In the worst, most boring, and least entertaining series in the first round, the Pacers struggled with a sub-par Atlanta Hawks team that took them to a 6th game. The Knicks learned alot in their first round series, the Pacers didn't. New York wasn't allowed to quit until 0:00 was on the clock in their 4th win of the series, Indiana was. Melo will be more consistent in this series, JR won't get suspended, the Knicks will take care of business. KEY FACTOR: Does STAT come back before, after, or during Game 3 of this series. New York in 6.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (5) Memphis Grizzlies
Westbrook is supposedly out for the playoffs. I have my doubts about this after David Lee's early and unexpected comeback. Kevin Durant better unleash that mean streak we all know he has in this series because it's going to take all of that and a bag of tricks to get the Thunder out of this round with the most athletic point guard in the game. Memphis exploited a Clippers team that some expected to challenge Miami in the finals so this team is nothing to sleep on. With all of this being said, this will be a physical series either won or lost in the paint. MATCHUP TO WATCH: Serge Ibaka vs Zach Randolph. KD shows out and scores 40 in at least 4 games. Memphis doesn't know how to stop him. Oklahoma City in 7.
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs (6) Golden State Warriors
While no one expected the Lakers to beat the Spurs, the way San Antonio dismantled the Lakers was unexpected. Pop did his thing, stuck to the strategy, got the sweep, and has been resting since last Sunday, and his 3 30 year old stars don't have to step on the court again until Monday. Against Golden State, they'll need that rest. Steph Curry is undoubtedly the MVP of the playoffs so far. David Lee's miraculous comeback, has brought more interest into this series and the coaching matchup is better than most think: Pop vs Mark Jackson. This will be a clash of styles, slow and methodical vs run and gun. Once again, I can't go against Pop. San Antonio in 7.
Round 1 Series Record: 6-2
Conference Semis: .....
