The way I see it, five teams have a legitimate shot at the championship: Spurs, Pistons, Mavs, Suns, and Heat. It appears that the Pistons and Heat will be 1 and 2 respectively in the Eastern Conference seedings, which makes their matchup in the ECF almost inevitable. In the West, the Spurs and Mavs will meet in the second round, and the winner will probably face the Suns with home court advantage in the WCF. Here's my prediction. Whoever has home court advantage between the Spurs and the Mavs will advance to the WCF. If it's the Spurs, then they'll beat the Suns and continue to the Finals. If it's the Mavs, then I think there's a 50/50 chance they'll advance. In the East, I'd put my money on the Heat against the Pistons, even without homecourt. They're deeper and they have arguably the best closer in the game in Dwyane Wade. That'll make the most likely matchup Spurs vs Heat in the Finals. I like the Heat in that matchup as well. If it's Mavs versus Heat, then I think it's a toss up. If it's Suns vs Heat, I'll take the Suns. If the Pistons get to the Finals, I'd choose them to win against the Spurs or the Mavs. If they get the Suns, then it's a toss up.
I think the Pacers can be legitimate spoilers in the second round of the playoffs in the East. If Jermaine O'Neal gets back in time to work himself back into shape before the playoffs begin and Jamaal Tinsley stays healthy, there's no reason Indiana can't be a contender or knock off one of Detroit or Miami in the second round. O'Neal himself is psyched to face Detroit again and that series could be a major upset in Indy's way. In the West, it's hard to see any team other than the Suns, Spurs and Mavs get to the conference finals. I'm taking Indiana to win it all this year. The fire in them is burning and if the team stays healthy and controversy free (which is a big 'if), I think they can beat the Spurs in 7.
I truly believe the Spurs will win the title and have felt that way from the start of the season. I also believe the only team capable of beating them this year over 7 games is Detroit.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In the West, the Spurs and Mavs will meet in the second round, and the winner will probably face the Suns with home court advantage in the WCF. </div> I still hate that this has to happen. Spurs and Mavs if they meet should only be meeting in the WCF.
If Amare comes back, I'm taking the Suns. If not, I'll take the Mavs. In the East, I got Miami going all the way. Miami vs. Phoenix/Dallas
Right now it looks like Detroit and SA are favored but do not sleep on Miami. All those off season aquisition are starting to gel and watch out for Jason Williams emerge as a star in the playoffs he is showing how much he has matured and how he is more undercontrol and a team player. Detroit is not the same team they were in the first half and have been skidding as of late.
The Spurs. Detroit will probably take them to 6 or 7 games. Dallas is looking like they are going to fade because of injuries. Shaq's FT % is abyssmal again. Phoenix will make a good showing but willl not outscore another top seeded team in the playoffs for 7 games. The Nets haven't shown ability to win with D this year very often.
As long as the Pistons have homecourt throughout I don't see even the Spurs knocking them off. If the Pistons don't have homecourt over the Spurs then the Spurs will repeat.
Probably Pistons it's going to be Pistons vs. Mavs in the finals and I think the Pistons will win it in 6 games.
I wish it would be Indiana and LA Clippers. But that would never happen. And I wouldn't mind if my Sixers made it to the Finals, but there barely hanging onto the 8th seed so ef that. San Antonio vs Cleveland. =) Oh and Cleveland in 4. lol. San Antonio in 5. Tony Parker Finals Mvp. (Oh and fyi...I hate the Spurs, but they're still the #1 team in the NBA in my opinion.)
i think the final four will be exactly the same as last year: DETROIT OVER MIAMI - cause Miami has no perimeter D to stop Rip/Chauncey SAN ANTONIO OVER PHOENIX - cause Tony Parker will get inside Steve Nash's head and the System will unravel. SAN ANTONIO OVER DETROIT - cause they beat them last year and both teams are pretty much the same.
DETROIT BEATS SAN ANTONIO IN 6 GAMES detroit wants revenge on San Antonio and they showed it by kicking the Spurs asses twice this year. They'll beat San Antonio in the finals this year and prove that they are the best team in the NBA again.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Here's my prediction. Whoever has home court advantage between the Spurs and the Mavs will advance to the WCF. If it's the Spurs, then they'll beat the Suns and continue to the Finals. If it's the Mavs, then I think there's a 50/50 chance they'll advance. </div>I agree. Say Dallas host the Spurs. They have that rowdy crowd, but I think the Spurs just have that mentality and toughness to beat the Mavs. But in that matchup, its a 50/50 chance for the Mavericks. In the East, Detroit and Miami seems like it`s definite. No matter where the two teams play, my pick is the Heat. Miami`s depth just has to play to it`s potential and they have a great chance. I noticed last night even though they lost, Shaq just tired out the 2 Wallace`s. If I had to pick a Finals matchup bottomline, I have Dallas over Miami 4-3.
I'm really liking Miami's chances right now. They are really coming together right now, but the loss of Zo is huge. He was making such an impact off the bench, they better hope Shaq is ready to play all game come playoff time. If not Miami, then I'd say Detroit will win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting The Soft Parade:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree. Say Dallas host the Spurs. They have that rowdy crowd, but I think the Spurs just have that mentality and toughness to beat the Mavs. But in that matchup, its a 50/50 chance for the Mavericks. In the East, Detroit and Miami seems like it`s definite. No matter where the two teams play, my pick is the Heat. Miami`s depth just has to play to it`s potential and they have a great chance. I noticed last night even though they lost, Shaq just tired out the 2 Wallace`s. If I had to pick a Finals matchup bottomline, I have Dallas over Miami 4-3.</div> Watching Dallas beat Miami in the finals would be surreal dude. i'm having a REALLY hard time picturing that scenario.
Dallas hasn't lost to Miami since the Heat traded for Shaq. The Heat just don't match up well with the Mavs at all. Same with the Suns. Miami match-up better with the Pistons and Spurs than the Mavs or Suns.
Spurs/mavs- spurs will win it, remeber the mavs beat the spurs on a back to back, good thing the playoffs dont have back to back. Heat/Pistons- I see Heat taking this one this year, last year they might ahve had it, if wade didnt get hurt. Spurs/Heat- Spurs in 6 SPURS BACK TO BACK CHAMPIONSHIPS Manu MVP FINALS
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Dallas hasn't lost to Miami since the Heat traded for Shaq. The Heat just don't match up well with the Mavs at all. Same with the Suns. Miami match-up better with the Pistons and Spurs than the Mavs or Suns.</div> I agree completely with this and I was just about to write the same thing. Dallas owns the Heat ever since the Shaq trade. Too bad we still don't have Skip to My Lou to break their hearts again. The Heat/Pistons will be a great series and I am loking forward to it. If the Heat get to the Finals they don't have a chance in hell of beating the MAvs. They are the team I fear most as a Heat fan. It's all about matchups though. Suns is also a scary matchup with us, but not as bad as Dallas. I see the Spurs definetly more winnable for our ballclub.
I just don't see anyone beating the Spurs or Pistons in a 7 game series. The Heat just lost Alonzo Mourning for up to a month. If he has any setbacks, they aren't beating Detroit in the ECF. The Suns are going to be the wildcard out West because of two factors. 1) How productive can Amare be? 2) They have any easy route to the WCF. No matter how Dallas or San Antonio finishes, they have to face each other in RND 2 because of the stupid playoff format. The Suns should have no problem making quick work of Denver or Memphis in the 2nd round. They also won't lose more than a game to the Kings or Lakers. If the Spurs finish as the 4th seed they'll have to face the Clippers and then Dallas. If the Spurs finish with the #1 seed they'll have to face the Lakers who matchup well with them, or the Kings who will be tough in the playoffs. Then Dallas in round 2, which will be a war. If the Spurs survive the West, how much will they have left for Detroit? I think the Pistons will win the title this year. However, if the Suns come out of the West they have a really good chance.
