NBA 2012 Playoffs: Semifinals

2012 NBA Playoffs

So I was unable to get round two picks in before the round started because of the staggering of game 1s. However, the results of the Celtics-Sixers and HEAT-Pacers game ones honestly didn’t change my picks there.

Eastern Conference Semifinals:

HEAT defeat Pacers, 4-2

-I liked certain matchups for the Pacers in this series but thought the Wade-Lebron factor would mean the best player in the series is always playing for the HEAT and this would cause them to win. But the fact that Indiana played hard in game 1 and Bosh got hurt means I can see this going 7. The fact that the Pacers hung in despite Granger going 1-10 is even more encouraging. But 6 games still seems like the right answer.

Celtics defeat Sixers, 4-1

-Only the fact that game 4 is in Philadelphia makes me give this series 5 games. Boston will take care of business, which could be the name of this series. Pierce will get his rest because they will be waiting for HEAT-Pacers to finish up. Put it this way: Philly played its rear ends off in Game 1, Celtics played badly, and the Celtics still won. Another dominant Rondo game is coming, and a better Pierce-Allen shooting game is coming. That will get them two more wins easily. Series over in 5.

Western Conference Semifinals:

Spurs defeat Clippers, 4-1

-Again, only the fact that the Spurs will have to win two in LA makes me give a fifth game prediction for this series. The Spurs may be a bit rusty because of the extended time off, but they will click into place just fine. The Clippers are hurt and tired. Chris Paul is meeting one of the other quickest PGs on the planet. Manu is going to be defended by Nick Young. Tim Duncan draws DeAndre Jordan and Kenyon Martin. There are just egregious mismatches across the board. But the real story is Pop versus Vinny. Wait, maybe I should make this a sweep…

Thunder defeat Lakers, 4-1

-The Lakers are good enough to beat the Thunder. They just won’t get close this year. First, the Lakers’ biggest strength is somewhat nullified by the defensive tandem of Iblaka and Perkins. Perkins knows how to defend Gasol/Bynum. While Metta and Kobe will do a decent job on Durant, I have no idea how the Lakers, who couldn’t guard Andre Miller, will slow down Westbrook. But honestly, the rest factor, and revenge factor for James Harden, will make this look easy for OKC in this particular year. An OKC win will be billed as a changing of the guard. However, it honestly isn’t. The Lakers just don’t have enough in the tank to do this right now.

Finals pick:

Obviously, my Thunder over Bulls prediction isn’t going to work. I will stay with the Thunder, but now over the Celtics. I know, the homer pick accusations come now. But I actually think it makes sense. The HEAT have a better chance of being upset by the Pacers than the Celtics do by the Sixers. The HEAT may have a serious Bosh problem. The Celtics are proving time and again they may be the most clutch last two minute team in the NBA. Rondo is dominating right now; he is clearing the field in assists per game in the playoffs. His bad games are triple doubles. And I am reminded of the blowout win late in the season over the HEAT by the C’s. Something just seems right about that matchup. Whether it is the Celtics or HEAT, it actually doesn’t matter to me: the Thunder probably win the title and the winner is coming from the Western Conference guaranteed.

BLISS