just saw on ESPN the first-round matchups as of now. Discuss if you like...... Detroit-New Jersey Cleveland-Miami Washington-Indiana Toronto-Chicago Dallas-LA Clippers Phoenix-Denver San Antonio-LA Lakers Utah-Houston THRILLERS: Dallas-Clippers The pressure is on Dallas to win it ALL. That means they'll already be looking past the first round for sure - which could be dangerous given twin big men of Brand and Kaman but more importantly Mr. Playoffs Sam Cassell Toronto-Chicago Chicago have a better overall team and better defense. Toronto has THAT GUY as well as better point play in my opinion (i personally like Calderon/Ford over HInrich but that's just me). Hard to pick a winner here. SNOOZERS: Detroit-New Jersey....New Jersey will be lucky to score 320 points in that series Phoenix-Denver...yes both teams will run, however Phoenix's offensive sets and chemistry is light years ahead of Denver's and Denver will be pretty much blown out Sound off, show your NBA love
I think the utah-houston matchup is pretty good for the big men.. Also the ones you listed above.. Dallas has alot pressure to go to the finals again.. wouldnt be surprised if they lost just like detroit did last year even tho they wont 65 or something games..
<div class="quote_poster">tracymcgrady_01 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think the utah-houston matchup is pretty good for the big men.. Also the ones you listed above.. Dallas has alot pressure to go to the finals again.. wouldnt be surprised if they lost just like detroit did last year even tho they wont 65 or something games..</div> It's so true, if they drop even one home game out of the first two to L.A. the pressure will be on them! but they are fairly mentally tough by now so I expect them to get to at least the Western finals.
I think the Wizards and the Pacers will be an interesting matchup. It won't be thriller, but it won't be a snoozer either. Indiana would have a nice chance with Jermaine O'neal and Troy Murphy in the paint, but the Wizards scoring is gonna tire out the Pacers espicially with the bench production we've been recieving lately from Songalia and Roger Mason.
Other than Dallas vs <whoever is #8>, the rest of the first round matchups in the west are gonna be really interesting. I think Phoenix - Denver will be one heck of a first round matchup. All 3 lower seeds could pull an upset in the west. Detroit is gonna win the East. There's no use of having the Eastern Conference playoffs really.
<div class="quote_poster">dallasdude Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Detroit is gonna win the East. There's no use of having the Eastern Conference playoffs really.</div> It's definitely theirs to lose. I thought Webber was over. I was really wrong...
I'd like to see the Warriors grab the 8th seed and face Dallas in Round 1. Nellie facing his old team would be a great sub-plot for that series. Baron Davis has the ability to take a series over, so the Warriors would be a competitive foe. Houston and the Lakers will advance in their 1st round matchups if healthy. Those are the best two 1st round matchups. Denver is really inconsistent, but if Carmelo and Iverson get hot at the same time, they could give Phoenix a 7 game series. However, I don't know if Denver can handle it mentally if Phoenix wins the first two games. Denver has collapsed in the post season the last couple of years. The only intriguing matchup in the East is Toronto and Chicago. As previously mentioned, it's Detroit's to lose. The only concern Detroit will have to worry about is allowing a series to go further than needed. Just like last season, Detroit stumbled once Rasheed Wallace was injured. They can't afford to lose any of their starters in the post season, so the less games they play the lower the risk.
Toronto vs. Chicago would definitely be an interesting matchup, but I'm hoping that one of them moves up a spot. Chicago matches up very good against the Raptors. They've got long, athletic rebounders, good shooters, and can match the running game. Plus, Skiles owns Mitchell every time they play each other. It all depends on health, but the Utah-Houston and Lakers-San Antonio matchups should be the best of the first round.
Someone enlightenin me...... is Yao going to be back for the playoffs? If not, the Jazz just need to slow Tmac down. Although that's going to be tough, especially with the hole at our 2 guard spot. Should be close regardless.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'd like to see the Warriors grab the 8th seed and face Dallas in Round 1. Nellie facing his old team would be a great sub-plot for that series. Baron Davis has the ability to take a series over, so the Warriors would be a competitive foe. Houston and the Lakers will advance in their 1st round matchups if healthy. Those are the best two 1st round matchups. Denver is really inconsistent, but if Carmelo and Iverson get hot at the same time, they could give Phoenix a 7 game series. However, I don't know if Denver can handle it mentally if Phoenix wins the first two games. Denver has collapsed in the post season the last couple of years. The only intriguing matchup in the East is Toronto and Chicago. As previously mentioned, it's Detroit's to lose. The only concern Detroit will have to worry about is allowing a series to go further than needed. Just like last season, Detroit stumbled once Rasheed Wallace was injured. They can't afford to lose any of their starters in the post season, so the less games they play the lower the risk.</div> I'm not convinced that the Lakers would be able to beat the Spurs in a 7 game series.
<div class="quote_poster">Marbire Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Someone enlightenin me...... is Yao going to be back for the playoffs? If not, the Jazz just need to slow Tmac down. Although that's going to be tough, especially with the hole at our 2 guard spot. Should be close regardless.</div> Yao will be coming back mid-March to late-March so dont get too comfy!
Detroit-New Jersey Detroit Cleveland-Miami Cleveland Washington-Indiana Washington Toronto-Chicago Chicago Dallas-LA Clippers Dallas Phoenix-Denver Phoenix San Antonio-LA Lakers This one is a tough call but I'd go with San Antonio Utah-Houston Houston
<div class="quote_poster">Karma Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not convinced that the Lakers would be able to beat the Spurs in a 7 game series.</div> me neither and not just cause I'm a Spurs fan. in fact i would be very surprised if Lakers could pull off this upset. have you noticed the way the Spurs have buckled down since the Allstar game? Every game has been a blowout.
In all honesty, the Spurs would most likely roll over the Lakers. I can see LA taking perhaps one home game in that entire series, but no way are they winning four. I think people forget that the Spurs actually feel like they have something to prove in the playoffs this year, since the newcomers (Dallas and Phoenix) are already projected to meet in the WCF and go to the Finals. Furthermore, Timmy is motivated, and that is never a good thing. I can see him demoralizing Kwame Brown AND Andrew Bynum, and I won't even begin to wonder how much penetrating will do after repeatedly beating Smush on drives. Plus, you got Bowen being pesky on Kobe, and if his game is off, the game will be much harder for the rest of the players and with a squad as fragile as this, I don't see them holding on for too long against such a playoff tested, veteran, and CONTENDING team.
Spurs should be considered one of the top contenders. I'd favor them over the Suns and pretty much every other team except the Mavs.
I would like to see that Indiana-Wiz one because I think that series would go to 7 games. The Wiz don't have anyone that can stop JO, but anything could happen with Arenas. CLEVELAND vs. MIAMI would be very entertaining! ---- I hope Garnett can make it this year. I would much rather see him go up against Dirk. Minny has the players to match up, but no where near the talent. James-Terry Foye-Harris Davis-Howard Garnett-Nowitzki Blount-Damnpier I personally think if anyone could shut down Dirk, it would have to be someone tall/athletic with long arms. If T-Mac can do it, I think KG can as well. I'm excited...can't wait for the playoffs this year.
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">just saw on ESPN the first-round matchups as of now. Discuss if you like...... Detroit-New Jersey Cleveland-Miami Washington-Indiana Toronto-Chicago Dallas-LA Clippers Phoenix-Denver San Antonio-LA Lakers Utah-Houston THRILLERS: Dallas-Clippers The pressure is on Dallas to win it ALL. That means they'll already be looking past the first round for sure - which could be dangerous given twin big men of Brand and Kaman but more importantly Mr. Playoffs Sam Cassell Toronto-Chicago Chicago have a better overall team and better defense. Toronto has THAT GUY as well as better point play in my opinion (i personally like Calderon/Ford over HInrich but that's just me). Hard to pick a winner here. SNOOZERS: Detroit-New Jersey....New Jersey will be lucky to score 320 points in that series Phoenix-Denver...yes both teams will run, however Phoenix's offensive sets and chemistry is light years ahead of Denver's and Denver will be pretty much blown out Sound off, show your NBA love</div> I can't wait for the playoffs. I all of those matchups especially the ones I bolded. If NJ gets RJ and Nenad back, I don't think that series would be a sleeper. I think Nenad is out for the year, what's the status on RJ? Miami vs. Cleveland (if Wade comes back) would be the best. --- I hope Garnett can make it this year. I would much rather see him go up against Dirk. Minny has the players to match up, but no where near the talent. James-Terry Foye-Harris Davis-Howard Garnett-Nowitzki Blount-Damnpier I personally think if anyone could shut down Dirk, it would have to be someone tall/athletic with long arms. If T-Mac can do it, I think KG can as well.
If it happens, then i'd have to watch two of my favorite teams playing against them. Phoenix and Denver. Pretty sure that PHX would win these series but we'll see. I hope that something rare happens, like Dallas loses in the first round or smth. Sounds great! I'm really waiting for playoffs
the lakers may have beaten some top teams during the regular season but there isnt one team in the playoffs that they could beat in a 7 game series.
