...And this is probably why I wouldn't be able to do this for a living.
Here's the quick review of my picks, and a little bit more detail:
Eastern Conference
#1 Indiana vs #8 Atlanta: Indiana in 6 - Actual Result: Indiana in 7
It turns out that Indiana has a lot more structural issues, and Atlanta is better coached than we gave them credit for. In the end, Atlanta went cold in Game 7 on a majority of open looks that were falling earlier in the series, and Indiana did what they needed to do to advance.
#2 Miami vs #7 Charlotte: Miami in 5 - Actual Result: Miami in 4
Al Jefferson got injured in Game 1, and although he continued to play they didn't have enough to win.
#3 Toronto vs #6 Brooklyn: Brooklyn in 7 - Actual Result: Brooklyn in 7
I figured that Toronto's relative inexperience would hurt them in a long series. This series brought back the surprising return of Joe Johnson to playoff relevance.
#4 Chicago vs #5 Washington: Chicago in 6 - Actual Result: Washington in 5
I'll do a longer write up, but Washington came prepared with a better strategy and executed better throughout the series. If there was a perception that Washington would lack poise going into the playoffs, there was very little evidence of that in this series. Great start for Washington, and another disappointing playoff exit for Chicago.
Western Conference
#1 San Antonio vs #8 Dallas: San Antonio in 5 - Actual Result: San Antonio in 7
A fun, well-coached series as Carlisle did his best to find ways for Dallas to keep up with San Antonio. In the end, regular season San Antonio had more than enough in Game 7 to pull away.
#2 Oklahoma City vs #7 Memphis: Oklahoma City in 6 - Actual Result: Oklahoma City in 7
Who knows what might have been? OKC never looked comfortable against Memphis, but with Randolph suspended after throwing the punch on Adams, and Conley limited by a hamstring injury, would they have been able to win Game 7 in Oklahoma City?
#3 Los Angeles vs #6 Golden State: Los Angeles in 7 - Actual Result: Los Angeles in 7
Off-court issues aside, this was the high scoring affair we all expected it might be. Oddly enough, I thought that Golden State's organizational issues were more internally divisive than Los Angeles'. Los Angeles at least got to bond together over their issues.
#4 Houston vs #5 Portland: Houston in 6 - Actual Result: Portland in 7
Similar to the other 4-5 matchup, I underrated the coaching on one team. This series had some wonderful individual performances from Aldridge and Lillard. Of course, it had the fantastic end to the series:
Now what about Round 2?
Eastern Conference
#1 Indiana vs #5 Washington: Washington in 6
Washington might just have the right timing and combination of talent, athleticism and coaching to sneak past a team that appears to be still working through some internal turmoil that is also playing out on the court.
#2 Miami vs #6 Brooklyn: Miami in 7
Brooklyn wanted to match up against Miami based on their regular season success, but Chicago thought their regular season success would carry over as well. It's a different story when the games slow down and your opponent can devote all of their scouting and preparation efforts to shutting down your team. That being said, I think this will be Miami's series to lose.
Western Conference
#1 San Antonio vs #5 Portland: San Antonio in 7
I will be rooting for Portland to upset San Antonio on this one. Not only do they have a fun player in Dame Lillard, and Aldridge (a player that makes some Chicago fans cringe every time he scores a smooth looking mid-range jumper), but they have a player named Wes. Come on! That's a winning formula right there!
#2 Oklahoma City vs #3 Los Angeles: Los Angeles in 6
Oklahoma City on paper should be a lot more dominant than its been looking recently. CP3 has never played in a conference finals, could this be the year that he breaks through. This should be another fun one to watch.
-- wake.eat.sleep