NBA 2012 Playoffs: Quarterfinals

2012 NBA Playoffs

Ah, NBA playoff basketball. My favorite time of the year. A time where the “old guys” like Kobe, Dirk, Pierce, and Duncan turn it on and show the kids who is boss. Where at least one young guy like Durant or Rose raises their game a level and suggests a future where they dominate.

Where Lebron crashes down in fear of the moment. Okay, had to get that in there.

Here are the picks:

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals:

Bulls defeat 76ers, 4-1

-I will give Doug Collins 1 game, but this team isn’t right and they don’t match up well. It may not matter how dominant Rose is or isn’t.

HEAT defeat Knicks, 4-3

-You heard me. I think the Knicks give the HEAT a legit run. But the HEAT have too much. It isn’t that the Knicks are good per se (I think they would have lost 4-1 to the Bulls), but they match up well with the HEAT. Lebron-Melo is a potential cancel, Iman Shumpert can work wonders on Wade, and 80% Amare is better than Bosh. But in the end, no way Wade doesn’t push it over the top.

Pacers defeat Magic, 4-0

-I almost gave the Magic 1 win because the Pacers are inexperienced in the playoffs, but I just don’t see it. Maybe if Ryan Anderson cans 5 3’s in a half or something, but I think by game 3 the Magic will be trying to figure out if they can forfeit the remaining games.

Celtics defeat Hawks 4-2

-The fact that game six will be in Boston and game five in Atlanta made me say this will go 6 instead of 5. The Hawks have put together a respectable season, playing without Horford in a tough division. But the Celtics are clicking, have more talent, and have more experience. Rondo is the biggest mismatch. Good luck Teague.

Western Conference Quarterfinals:

Spurs defeat Jazz, 4-1

-I give the Jazz one game based on a big game from Big Al and Millsap where they shoot 70% and get 55 points together or something. Ty Corvin has done a great job but is about to be schooled.

Thunder defeat Mavs, 4-3

-I have to think the Mavs fight tooth and nail in this series. They got the Thunder last year and while the Mavs got worse the Thunder may not have Harden. But the Thunder get game seven at home and they have Durant.

Lakers defeat Nuggets, 4-1

-I like Denver. I really do. But not this year. And not in this series. Something doesn’t feel right. Faried is a nice player. But versus Pau and Bynum? Lakers tighten up and take care of business.

Grizzlies defeat Clippers 4-2

-Feels like most of the Hornets playoffs from the last 5 years. They have the best player in Paul, and like the 3^rd best player in the series (David West/Blake Griffin), but players 2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 are on the other team. Too much from the Grizzlies with Gay really lighting the Clips up. Paul singlehandedly pushes them to 2 wins.

Overall I still like the Thunder over the Bulls, but this is wide open. Would I be surprised if it were Lakers-Celtics? Not at all. And I think a Lebron-Kobe Finals, just one, would be legendary.

BLISS