The playoffs could be interesting this year, and we never know what surprises could happen. Will the Lakers make a late push? Who will be the number one seed in the West? What teams will end up with home court advantage? We don't know for sure the answers to these questions, because the playoffs are months away. But this is a prediction of what would happen if the playoffs started today.
First Round
Eastern Conference Matchups:
1 Miami vs 8 Milwaukee
2 New York vs 7 Boston
3 Indiana vs 6 Chicago
4 Brooklyn vs 5 Atlanta
Western Conference Matchups:
1 San Antonio vs 8 Utah
2 Oklahoma City vs 7 Houston
3 LA Clippers vs 6 Golden State
4 Memphis vs 5 Denver
Miami vs Milwaukee
The Heat are on a 16 game win streak, and even though the Bucks are hot, they have no chance against the champs.
Prediction: Miami 4, Milwaukee 1
New York vs Boston
This would be a very interesting match up, because the Knicks have never been able to defeat the Celtics in the playoffs. Even though the Celtics are contenders, though, they have no Rajon Rondo. The Knicks would be able to pull this one out.
Prediction: New York 4, Boston 2
Indiana vs Chicago
With a central division match up, this one would be fun to watch. But if the playoffs started today, the Bulls would not have Derrick Rose, and they would not be able to defeat the Pacers.
Prediction: Indiana 4, Chicago 1
Brooklyn vs Atlanta
Even though Brooklyn would have home-court advantage, the Hawks are doing well right now. If they can get Josh Smith going, I think they would be able to win this one.
Prediction: Atlanta 4, Brooklyn 3
San Antonio vs Utah
You are thinking that the Jazz would be no match for the Spurs, but San Antonio would have no Tony Parker if the playoffs started today. The Jazz just got Mo Williams back, but the Spurs would still be able to win.
Prediction: San Antonio 4, Utah 2
Oklahoma City vs Houston
This would be a very interesting thing to watch, because of James Harden being pitted against his former team. However, Houston would not be able to defeat OKC.
Prediction: Oklahoma City 4, Houston 2
LA Clippers vs Golden State
Out of all of the first round match ups, I would be most interested in this one. The Warriors are winning their regular season series vs LA 3-1 right now, and Stephen Curry would surely have something in store. However, Lob City is not getting out in the first round.
Prediction: LA Clippers 4, Golden State 3
Memphis vs Denver
With Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, Memphis is doing well. But if you look at Denver, they are smoking. Denver is going to the next round.
Prediction: Denver 4, Memphis 2
Second Round
Eastern Conference Matchups:
1 Miami vs 5 Atlanta
2 New York vs 3 Indiana
Western Conference Matchups:
1 San Antonio vs 5 Denver
2 Oklahoma City vs 3 LA Clippers
Miami vs Atlanta
The Hawks would have a very tough time in the playoffs. The Heat wouldn't.
Prediction: Miami 4, Atlanta 0
New York vs Indiana
Now this is the kind of match up I'm talking about. The old rivalry pitted back together again. This would be fun to watch. If Paul George could start heating up, and Melo was still struggling with that knee, then New York is in for an upset.
Prediction: Indiana 4, New York 3
San Antonio vs Denver
This would be the upset of the century. Tony Parker would be out with an injury, and Denver would be fun to watch.
Prediction: Denver 4, San Antonio 3
Oklahoma City vs LA Clippers
This is even better than Indiana vs New York. Chris Paul would be under a ton of pressure to beat Oklahoma City. Kevin Durant would have a lot of pressure against Lob City too. However, the Thunder would pull it out.
Prediction: Oklahoma City 4, LA Clippers 3
Conference Finals
Eastern Conference:
1 Miami vs 3 Indiana
Western Conference:
2 Oklahoma City vs 5 Denver
Miami vs Indiana
This would be fun to watch, but the champs are just dominant. The conference finals wouldn't be as good as the second round. Miami would win.
Prediction: Miami 4, Indiana 2
Oklahoma City vs Denver
This would also be fun to watch, but Denver's great season comes to an end here. They have no superstar to challenge KD.
Prediction: Oklahoma City 4, Denver 2
The Finals
1 Miami vs 2 Oklahoma City
Game 1
The Heat would have home-court advantage in this Finals re-match, and the crowd on their side. However, the Thunder would come to Miami with a lot of energy too. This would come down to the buzzer, and don't be surprised when Russell Westbrook rims the shot and complains the call.
Prediction: Miami 94, Oklahoma City 92
Game 2
With the Heat up 1-0, the Thunder would be under a lot of pressure to win this game. If they didn't, that would be horrendous for them, but they are strong enough.
Prediction: Oklahoma City 90, Miami 84Game 3
This is where Oklahoma City would go back home. After winning the previous game, they would have motivation, drive, and a crowd behind them to win this game. I would be surprised if Miami were to pull off the first game in Oklahoma City.
Prediction: Oklahoma City 110, Miami 100
Game 4
By this time, LeBron James would realize that there is no more time to mess around. The Heat would go back to their dominant form, and pull it off.
Prediction: Miami 108, Oklahoma City 89
Game 5
With the series tied 2-2, this would be a pivotal game for both teams to win. They would both have motivation, and they would both come into this game with passion. This would come down to KD winning it at the buzzer. It would have been LeBron, but he doesn't have his fans behind him.
Prediction: Oklahoma City 121, Miami 120, OT
Game 6
So LeBron goes back to Miami with his team down 3-2 in the series. His fans believe in him, his teammates trust him, and he has a white jersey on. What does he have to lose? He gives it to Ray Allen for a three to seal the deal in this low-scoring affair.
Prediction: Miami 78, Oklahoma City 70
Game 7
Now, this would be the game of the century. Game seven in Miami. The last time the Finals went to game seven was in 2010, when the Lakers were able to beat the Celtics. This match up would be as good as Magic vs Bird, and it would be a close one.
Prediction: Oklahoma City 96, Miami 90
No comments:
Post a Comment