 It's time for the 2014 NBA Playoffs! With the NBA playoffs starting yesterday, I was thinking about all the underdogs and the definite winners of each series. Like I did last year, I will be making predictions on the NBA playoffs in the 1st round, 2nd round, conference finals, and the finals, but today we start with the NBA’s 1st round predictions. We will start with the East and then move to the West. First up, Pacers-Hawks.  Eastern Conference Logo The 1 seeded Pacers are preparing to take on the 8 seeded Hawks in a best-of-7 series. My prediction for this series is Pacers in 6. The way the Hawks have been playing this year makes me feel like they can win 2 games against a very stacked Pacers team, but I feel like the Pacers are just way too dominant. Next, the Heat play the Bobcats. My prediction for this series is Heat in a sweep. I like the Bobcats making their second appearance to the playoffs this year, but I still don’t think they can pull off their first playoff win in franchise history. I know I am not the biggest Heat fan in the world but I still think they will move on to the next round. The 3 and 6 seeds in the East are the Raptors and Nets. My prediction for this is Nets in 6. The Raptors did a great job getting into the playoffs and gaining home court advantage but they are playing a way more experienced team. However, I still think the Raptors can pull out 2 games. The Nets can probably take this one easily because of the way they have been playing since the all-star break (The top record out of all teams since the all-star break). Lastly for the East, the Bulls-Wizards matchup at the 4 and 5 seeds. Many people may not think that this series will last too long but I think the Bulls will win in a 7 game series. These two teams will matchup very well against each other but I feel like Joakim Noah and the Bulls are too good for the Wizards. It will be tight, in my opinion, but the Bulls have got this. These are my predictions for the Western Conference. Now, to the West side of the conference.  Western Conference Logo 1 vs. 8 in the West is the Spurs and the Mavericks. The Spurs, to me, have got this in 5 games. The Spurs should win the first three but Ellis and Nowitski won’t let a sweep happen on their home floor but they will get beat in the 5th game. Trust me, it will happen. The Spurs are just a complete machine walking up and down the floor getting buckets and playing slow and boring defense. No offense to the Spurs but it is true, and they were still able to pull out 62 wins out of 82 games this season. The 2nd and 7th seed series are the Thunder and the Grizzlies. My prediction for this series is the Thunder in 5. The Thunder do have Westbrook for this series unlike last year so now they have more than just 1 scoring option in Kevin Durant, but now they have Russell Westbrook as well. The Grizzlies may be a grind out team but the Thunder are too much for them. 3-6 seeds for the Western Conference are the Warriors and the Clippers. I think the Warriors in 6 will win. Yeah I know, crazy right? I think the Warriors will steal a game on the road and clinch the games at home. That is what I think of this series, yeah I know. Lastly, the 4 and 5 seeds for the Western Conference are the Rockets and the Trail Blazers. I pick the Trail Blazers in 6. The Blazers dynamic duo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard happen to come in two of the weak spots for the Houston Rockets. As for James Harden, Wesley Matthews or Nick Batum can stop him or at least contain him during this series. Howard will have a clinic inside but the Blazers may start using the Hack-a-Shaq strategy to stop him. These are my predictions for the Western Conference.
I am so psyched for all of these playoff series and how players can shine throughout the world. But what I am also excited about is to hear what you guys think about the playoffs. What is the most exciting series of the playoffs? Do you disagree with some of my predictions? Who do you think will be key factors for certain teams? I want to hear what you believe about these NBA Playoffs. So, thanks for reading! Please comment. One last note: The radio show blog coming out soon. The full interview can be heard in my next blog.
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 The New York Knicks have been battling for the eighth seed for a while now and after about a month of hard-fought games, they stand 1 game behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Tonight, the Knicks play the Jazz and the Hawks play the 76ers. I feel like the Knicks are certainly capable of defeating the Jazz like they did last year on Utah’s home floor, however I feel like the 76ers may lose to the Hawks. Hopefully, after losing 26 of their last 27 games the 76ers can pull out their second victory in the last 28 games. Michael Carter-Williams might go off or something like that, you never know! Most importantly for the Knicks, they need to defeat Utah tonight after defeating a tough Golden State squad by 5 points.
Anyway, let’s get into some key matchups that I am looking at seeing in both games. The point guards for the Hawks and Sixers will be a matchup I am looking forward to. Jeff Teague and Michael Carter-Williams are good young talent for both of these teams. In the long run, I feel that Carter-Williams will be a better player and I feel that he has the advantage over Teague because of his height and quickness. The point guards for the Knicks and Jazz game will certainly be cool to watch as well. I would like to see if Raymond Felton can keep up with the fast Michigan point guard Trey Burke. The key to this game will be if it comes down to the wire because Burke has hit big time shots in crunch time situations. Another key matchup will be the small forwards for the Knicks and Jazz game. Carmelo Anthony and Gordon Hayward are matched up in this category and they are both phenomenal players. Carmelo is Carmelo but Hayward is more of a diamond in the rough type of guy. He was picked up from Butler in the NBA draft and he has been a great pickup by the Jazz. Carmelo easily wins this matchup because he is way too skilled for Hayward. My final key matchup is the power forwards for the Hawks-Sixers game in Paul Millsap and Thaddeus Young. I feel that Millsap is bigger and stronger than Young but Thaddeus has speed and quickness on his side against Millsap. I can’t wait to see this matchup. I also can’t wait to see both of the games. What do you think? Do you think that there is a matchup that is worth mentioning that I forgot about? Tell me, what are your thoughts? Anyway, thanks for reading and please comment! |
Mike V.
My name is Mike V. I am an enormous basketball fan. I also am a die-hard Knicks fan. After graduating 5th grade, I started writing this blog at the age of 10 in the summer of 2012. Archives
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