We interrupt my soon to come, day by day summary of my trip to do some quick NBA Playoff predictions.
Western Conference
#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #8 Houston Rockets
The final game of the regular season where the Rockets lost to the Lakers set up this intriguing on paper "vengeance game". James Harden returns to face the team that traded him away rather than attempt to even keep him for an additional year.
I expect a lot of highlights here, but barring any major surprises or injuries the Thunder will move on.
Thunder in 6.
#2 San Antonio Spurs vs #7 Los Angeles Lakers
Another fun story line if you believe the rumors that San Antonio was deliberately avoiding the 1st seed, so that they could avoid the Lakers who were expected to only squeak into the playoffs as the 8th seed. Karma is a b*tch, some say.
The Spurs are better coached, and the Lakers have one too many question marks, and no Kobe Bryant to shoot them to a win. As much as I'd love to see a 7 game Laker series upset, we're probably not going to see that.
Spurs in 6.
#3 Denver Nuggets vs #6 Golden State Warriors
Much like all of the Western Conference series, this is going to be a fun matchup, despite some tough injuries on the Denver side.
Despite the pace slowing down in the playoffs, I still expect this series to have a lot of 111-103 games. The Warriors have had a nice season, but it's coming to an end.
Denver in 6.
#4 Los Angeles Clippers vs #5 Memphis Grizzlies
This is going to be a very compelling match up. I'm especially excited to see CP3 against Tony Allen, and to see which versions of Zach Randolph and Blake Griffin show up. It wouldn't surprise me if the series ended quickly, but it will be no shock to see this series go the distance.
It shocks me that Vinny Del Negro is still coaching.
Clippers in 7.
Eastern Conference
#1 Miami Heat vs #8 Milwaukee Bucks
LeBron James is the best player in the game. He happens to play for one of the better coaches in the league, and the system and the team is well constructed around him. The Bucks are coached by their interim coach and might look good only on paper.
This is not going to be a pretty series at all. (For Bucks fans that is.)
Heat in 5.
#2 New York Knicks vs #7 Boston Celtics
It would be nice if the Celtics could ride the emotion of the last week to turn back that clock one more time and give the Knicks a tough series. It would be nice, but the Knicks with Anthony and Smith leading the charge on offense, they'll have enough to hold off this Celtics team.
Knicks in 6.
#3 Indiana Pacers vs #6 Atlanta Hawks
If their last two games were any evidence, this was the matchup that the Hawks wanted. Be careful of what you wish for. The Hawks have been fairly erratic this year. The Pacers have been fairly consistent, and their playing style is well suited for the playoffs. With the emergence of Paul George and with a nice healthy year from David West, I expect this to be the series to skip in the first round.
Pacers in 5.
#4 Brooklyn Nets vs #5 Chicago Bulls
Arguably, this could be a skippable series as well. The Nets have been playing a lot better since the All-Star break. The Bulls have been finding their way to doctor for most of the season. It looks like Noah will be not be at 100% anytime soon. We'll find out today whether or not DRose will play, but I assume that if he doesn't play today, he will not suit up for the playoffs. With this limited roster, will the Bulls have a chance?
This is another series that will not seem pretty to anyone other than fans of both teams, but the Bulls have just enough coaching and chemistry to pull off the series win.
Bulls in 6.