2013 NBA Playoffs Round 1

First round of the NBA playoffs. Go time. Doing this column really quickly, so this will not be long winded. Well, at least not by my standards.


Western Conference:
1. Thunder versus 8. Rockets
-This should be an easy round for the Thunder, 1 versus 8 is normally a 4-0, 4-1 romp at worst. Instead it isn't going to be that simple. The Rockets have 2 clear wins at the Center and Shooting Guard matchups. The best part is, the Thunder made this possible by trading James Harden. Wouldn't it be ironic if the Rockets got to be the team to run the Thunder from the playoffs? I mean, Parsons can give Durant a good run around (and I think he will).

But no, it won't be close. Could this go 6 games? Sure, but that'd be a stretch. Because although Durant may not throw up video game numbers, Ibaka has a platter of young and bad PFs who are going to try and defend him. And Jeremy Lin is covering Westbrook. Thanks, and please drive through.

2. Spurs versus Lakers
-The Spurs are wrecked. They are leaking players. They just signed Tracy freaking McGrady to play because SteJax was too much of a distraction. The Lakers are finally getting a healthy Pau and Howard operating together, and if Nash gives them anything....
Ehh, I can't even try. Pop gets a classic Timmy series to net them a 4-1 victory.

3. Nuggets versus 6. Warriors
-No misdirection in this section: Dubs are winning this series. It has been too long toiling for David Lee. He out works the depleted Nuggets and some crazy good shooting nights from 3pt record holding Stephen Curry propel them to victory.

This is tough, because I really like the Nuggets. But this team isn't healthy with no Gallo and Lawson/Faried shells of themselves. And Curry is probably the best player in the series, which starts to matter. So Golden State wins in 6, with some 115-110 games in there. I mean a team counting on extended minutes from Ant Rand and McGee can't succeed, right?

4. Clippers versus Grizzlies
-Im actually both excited and confident about this series. We have a few quality case studies for this over the last years. I love the Grizzlies' improved defensive structure, and if anything the Clippers have gone backwards on offense. Chris Paul is awesome, and despite my confidence in the Grizz winning I am giving the Clips 2 games simply due to his brilliance. But guess what? I think Marc Gasol is by far the next best player in the series. Blake has gotten better but Marc has wrecked efficient and fabulous havok this year.

We are at the point of the season where deep benches are nice but not critical. And as Simmons noted, the Clips almost have too many guys. Grizz will play their 8, actually run somewhat productive halfcourt sets, and win this series. And it will be on occasion, hard for the non saber metric loving fan to watch.


Eastern Conference:
1. HEAT versus Bucks
Miami wins in 5. I'll give the Bucks a game for when two of Redick/Jennings/Ellis get hot at once. Shouldn't be much drama here though.

2. Knicks versus Celtics
-Potentially a tough series for NY just based on matchups. But Boston's experience and grit earns them only two games. Knicks get their business done, and advance.

3. Pacers versus 6. Hawks
-Can you say "bland city"? The ratings for this are going to be awful....Pacers win 4-1 in a grind. Hawks play worthy ball but they just can't match up. Paul George steps forward in this series.

4. Nets versus 5. Bulls
-Well, at least the winner of this will give the HEAT a decent run next week. If they aren't too beaten up to do so, that is. Nets should win this in five, assuming Rose doesn't play. Even if he does, the other pieces are too broken or run down to make much different. Noah clearly isn't right, and Deng and Boozer just logged many minutes carrying this team. Nate is the kind of player that produces okay in the regular season but dissolves in the playoffs. I actually do like the Nets' set up. They can score when they get going, and they do so well enough here. But please, please, no more Brooklyn Knight.


I'll look ahead and say I have the Thunder over HEAT in the Finals. Let's see if anything I see changes that as we go forward. Good luck everyone.

-Bliss