NBA Playoffs, 2009-2010

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='15 April 2010 - 06:19 PM' timestamp='1271373594' post='391405']
ok time to dig this thread up its playoff time
[indent][b]East[/b][/indent]
(1)Cleveland vs. (8)Chicago
(2)Orlando vs. (7)Charlotte
(3)Atlanta vs. (6)Milwaukee
(4)Boston vs. (5)Miami

[indent][b]West[/b][/indent]
(1)L.A.Lakers vs. (8)Oklahoma City
(2)Dallas vs. (7)San Antonio
(3)Phoenix vs. (6)Portland
(4)Denver vs. (5)Utah

I have
Cleveland over Chicago(5)
Orlando over Charlotte(5)
Atlanta in 6
Miami in 7

Lakers in 6
San Antonio in 7
Phoenix in 5
Denver in 6
[/quote]

Seriously? San Antonio over Dallas? Barring the last game of the season, Dallas has largely had SA's number this year. Not to mention Dallas has been fantastic after the all-star weekend. Dirk, Terry, Kidd, and Butler can put up the numbers faster than Duncan, Parker, Hill, and Ginobili can. Granted, last year the Spurs were injured when the Mavs eliminated them in the first round. But this year's team eclipses last year's, I don't even see the series going to 7 games. Dallas has home court advantage and SA has struggled on the road (21-20).

[u]First Round:[/u]
Cleveland over Chicago in 5
Orlando over Charlotte in 4
Atlanta over Milwaukee in 5
Boston over Miami in 6

LA over Oklahoma in 7
Dallas over San Antonio in 5
Phoenix over Portland in 4
Utah over Denver in 6

[u]Second Round:[/u]
Cleveland over Boston in 5
Orlando over Atlanta in 7
LA over Utah in 5
Dallas over Phoenix in 5

[u]Conference Championship:[/u]
Orlando over Cleveland in 7
Dallas over LA in 6

[u]NBA Finals[/u]
Dallas over Orlando in 6

I'm rather excited to watch the ATL/MIL, LA/OKC, DAL/SA, and UTA/DEN series. Looks to be a pretty good post season this year. It'd be awesome if Chicago would upset Cleveland heh, but I don't see it happening. Only sweeps I can really see are Orlando over Charlotte and Phoenix over Portland. Not because I think Portland is bad or Phoenix is that good, just because not having Brandon Roy (missing playoffs due to knee surgery) severely hampers the Blazers.

I'm not being a Dallas homer with my prediction (or at least trying not to be). Dallas matches up very, very well with every team the I have them going up against. Dallas has been gearing up to beat the Lakers in the post-season and with the new additions they are poised to do it. They've also played very well against Orlando, which I see being a fantastic final series.

[MKdave]

[indent][b]East[/b][/indent]
(1)Cleveland vs. (8)Chicago - Cleveland in 4
(2)Orlando vs. (7)Charlotte - Orlando in 5
(3)Atlanta vs. (6)Milwaukee - Atlanta in 5
(4)Boston vs. (5)Miami - Boston in 7

[indent][b]West[/b][/indent]
(1)L.A.Lakers vs. (8)Oklahoma City - Lakers in 6
(2)Dallas vs. (7)San Antonio - Dallas in 5
(3)Phoenix vs. (6)Portland - Phoenix in 5
(4)Denver vs. (5)Utah - Denver in 5


EAST SEMIS

Cleveland (1) vs. Boston (4) - Cleveland in 5
Orlando (2) vs. Atlanta (3) - Orlando in 6

WEST SEMIS

Lakers (1) vs Denver (4) - Denver in 7
Dallas (2) vs Phoenix (3) - Phoenix in 6

EAST FINALS

Cleveland (1) vs Orlando (2) - Orlando in 6

WEST FINALS

Denver (4) vs Phoenix (3) - Denver in 7


NBA Finals

Orlando (2) vs Denver (4) - Orlando in 5.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I really can't see Phoenix reaching the Conference finals. I'm actually surprised they even finished at the third seed. The Suns struck me as a lower half seed the whole season, that's if they even made the playoffs. Denver could make the conference finals, maybe, maybe even the finals. But that's only if they pull themselves out of the rut they've been in the past few weeks. I used to keep track of Denver's record all season since they were so close to knocking Dallas out of second, now they're fourth...

[MKdave]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='16 April 2010 - 08:23 PM' timestamp='1271445781' post='391705']
I really can't see Phoenix reaching the Conference finals. I'm actually surprised they even finished at the third seed. The Suns struck me as a lower half seed the whole season, that's if they even made the playoffs. Denver could make the conference finals, maybe, maybe even the finals. But that's only if they pull themselves out of the rut they've been in the past few weeks. I used to keep track of Denver's record all season since they were so close to knocking Dallas out of second, now they're fourth...
[/quote]

I just really don't see the Lake Show getting out of the west. And I think Denver's got the best chance of taking them down. The Suns I think are a really good team that people are going to sleep on because they're low on star power. They've got Amare and Nash but who really talks about them as elite players anymore?
I don't buy the momentum thing as much as most people. I think more often than not the better team wins in the playoffs. I look at that Denver team and it's loaded, you've got game winners all over the place. It makes them a hit or miss prospect, but I'm betting on hit. If JR Smith and Carmelo play like they can that's a tough out for anybody, including Orl in the finals.

[FlaccoFlicker]

notice i had san antonio in 7 if it goes that far i just feel the spurs will squeak it out trust me i hate the spurs and would prefer dallas maybe thats the reason for my pick when i cheer against them they win lol

[AwakenTheDemon]

The Suns are extremely hit or miss. They'll be fantastic one game, and the next they'll struggle for three quarters before trying to rally in the fourth. If Portland had Brandon Roy, I'm not sure Phoenix would make it out of the first round. As for Nash, he's still one of the best Point Guards in the league, but quickly losing ground to younger stars.

Utah's flirted with the second seed as well, and they've had some success in the post season the past few years. Which makes me think the Denver/Utah series will be a great one to watch. Unless Carmello plays perfectly during the series, I think the Nuggets can be in trouble.

What I really want to see... is how Durant and the Thunder perform in their first post season.

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='16 April 2010 - 03:49 PM' timestamp='1271450944' post='391756']
notice i had san antonio in 7 if it goes that far i just feel the spurs will squeak it out trust me i hate the spurs and would prefer dallas maybe thats the reason for my pick when i cheer against them they win lol
[/quote]

Yeah, I did notice that. But I don't think the Spurs can hang around with Dallas long enough to make it to 7. Even a game 7 won't bode well for them, since it'll be in Dallas and the Spurs struggled on the road this year.

[FerrariFan87]

I want LeBron to win it all this year, it's his time.

[XxSizzleXx]

I was way more into basketball when I was younger but I still have to say my team would be Orlando, Superman is an absolute BEAST!!!! I used to be a fan of the T-Wolves because of KG, so I wouldn't mind seeing Boston win it again either.

[MKdave]

Well that half did little to sway me from my Cavs in 4 prediction, unfortunately.

[Ed_Reed20]

I'm hoping Durant and company really take it to the Lakers. The Thunder lack an inside presence but their ability to score from the premiter is incredible.

[AwakenTheDemon]

The Bulls may, keyword may, be able to squeak one out at home. Which is what I based my prediction of a 5 game series on. However, the Bulls did just squeeze into the playoffs, and the Cavs may be too much for Chicago to handle.

[Sub-Zero]

poor Rose he was doing all he could to keep his team in the game but nobody really stepped up and im afraid they don't have that type of player. Deng maybe, but he is just too dang (pun intended) inconsistent. he needs a superstar next to him, maybe LeBron is playing against his future team?

[FlaccoFlicker]

Scores from Saturday
Cavaliers 93
Bulls 86
[b]Cavs lead 1-0[/b]
Hawks 102
Bucks 92
[b]Hawks lead 1-0[/b]
Celtics 85
Heat 76
[b]Celtics lead 1-0[/b]
Nuggets 123
Jazz 113
[b]Nuggets lead 1-0[/b]

[FlaccoFlicker]

Lakers win game one 87-79
lead series 1-0

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='18 April 2010 - 04:41 PM' timestamp='1271626876' post='392218']
Lakers win game one 87-79
lead series 1-0
[/quote]

I'll cover for Mr. Flicker, and update.

[u]Sunday:[/u]
Lakers Beat Thunder 87-79
Series: 1-0 LA

Magic Defeat Bobcats 98-89
Series: 1-0 ORL

Mavericks Win Game Against Spurs 100-94
Series: 1-0 DAL

Blazers Defeat Suns 105-100
Series: 1-0 POR

[u]Monday:[/u]
Cavaliers Beat Bulls 112-102
Series: 2-0 CLE

Jazz Defeats Nuggets 114-111
Series: 1-1

[FlaccoFlicker]

thanks demon been super busy with training doc appts and kids lol

[AwakenTheDemon]

Haha, no problem.

It other NBA news, Dwight Howard wins the Defensive Player of the Year award for the second year in a row. Part of me has always like Howard, make it kind of fun to watch the Magic. Definitely one of the best defensive players in the league right now. He's the main reason I don't think the Bobcats can hang with the Magic in the series, really no answer to him on Charlotte's roster.

[YABOY]

I hope the nuggets win the finals but as long as lebron doesn't get a ring i'm happy

[AwakenTheDemon]

Lakers Defeat Thunder 95-92
Series: 2-0 LA

Suns Beat Blazers 119-90
Series: 1-1

Hawks Win Over Bucks 96-86
Series: 2-0 ATL

Celtics Squash Heat 106-77
Series: 2-0 BOS

Great game in Los Angeles, even if I only caught the second half. Oklahoma kept it close and I thought they were going to squeak by with a win in LA. Oh well, should be a great game in Oklahoma City. I was shocked by Miami today. Checked in after the half... and they hadn't even scored 40 points yet, while Boston was already in the 70's. No KG and the Heat couldn't muster absolutely anything. Pathetic. Oh well, tomorrow looks to be a great day for basketball watching for me. Charlotte and Orland then San Antonio and Dallas. Here's to a 2-0 lead heading to SA for Dallas.

[FlaccoFlicker]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='21 April 2010 - 01:38 AM' timestamp='1271828290' post='393185']
Lakers Defeat Thunder 95-92
Series: 2-0 LA

Suns Beat Blazers 119-90
Series: 1-1

Hawks Win Over Bucks 96-86
Series: 2-0 ATL

Celtics Squash Heat 106-77
Series: 2-0 BOS

[/quote]
sweet this is updated damn Demon my old butt can barely stay up til 12 let alone 130 haha
I felt embarrassed for the Heat,this look like an NBA team playing a d league team,of course with Ray Allen lighting up 3 point land that way.I thought the Heat were going to sqeek the series in 7 they be lucking if they aren't swept.Also as much as I enjoyed him when he played Reggie Miller has an annoying voice man.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Yeah, I'm always up late. Not trying to steal your thunder, my friend lol. If it weren't for D-Wade that Miami game would have been even worse. I'm with you, I thought the series was going to be a good one, I was thinking it going to six games. Miami really needs to get their act together at home court to avoid a sweep,

[FlaccoFlicker]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='21 April 2010 - 01:14 PM' timestamp='1271870089' post='393423']
Yeah, I'm always up late. Not trying to steal your thunder, my friend lol. If it weren't for D-Wade that Miami game would have been even worse. I'm with you, I thought the series was going to be a good one, I was thinking it going to six games. Miami really needs to get their act together at home court to avoid a sweep,
[/quote]
no way i wasnt accusing you of stealing thunder lol it's good to have help like if i had for o's thread sometimes my days get too bust,raining today can't run.
SO CHARLOTTE ORLANDO and Spurs Mavs tonight it looks like good luck to your mavs
1

[AwakenTheDemon]

Yeah, I'm hoping the Mavs can head into San Antonio up two games. Even though the Spurs are o-l-d and Dallas is desperate for a championship, those Spurs just don't go away easily. At least it makes for some good exciting games. I'm curious to see if Stephen Jackson plays tonight (I'm sure he will), and how well he'll perform. The Magic look nasty again this year.

[FlaccoFlicker]

Magic take a 2-0 lead in the series beating the Bobcats 92-77.
Magic are goint to be fun to watch in the second round,can my boys in Cleveland stop them?

[AwakenTheDemon]

It was awesome to see the Mavs not show up until the fourth. What the hell was with that shooting for the majority of the game? 33%? Seriously? C'mon Dallas, you're better than that. I'm not trying to be a homer, but I saw some questionable calls by the refs, by no means did that cost us the game (that falls squarely on the horrendous shooting).

Spurs Defeat Mavs 102-88
Series: 1-1

[FlaccoFlicker]

ugh I hate the Spurs,this is why I picked them tho,they sneaky lil buggers.Hope Dallas can pull it together

[AwakenTheDemon]

Alot of it was Dallas' fault though. They settled for bad looks sometimes, especially behind the three point line. In the fourth, they showed that the Spurs really can't hang with Dallas when their playing good, well executed offense. Caron Butler was getting to the hoop no problem with some awesome reverse lay ins.

[Sub-Zero]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='21 April 2010 - 11:08 AM' timestamp='1271873292' post='393469']
Yeah, I'm hoping the Mavs can head into San Antonio up two games. Even though the Spurs are o-l-d and Dallas is desperate for a championship, those Spurs just don't go away easily. At least it makes for some good exciting games. I'm curious to see if Stephen Jackson plays tonight (I'm sure he will), and how well he'll perform. The Magic look nasty again this year.
[/quote]


Spurs are old but the Mavericks are the oldest team in the league. They aren't going to win anyway, not until they surprise everybody by stealing LeBron this summer [img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif[/img]

[AwakenTheDemon]

The Mavs have been one of the most impressive teams in the West this year. Who cares if they're old when you have Nowitzki, Kidd, Butler, Terry, Marion, and Damp? Spurs have ALWAYS been old and that doesn't mean jack. LeBron will be lucky to even make it to the finals to get swept this year.

[Sub-Zero]

sorry but Cleveland's going all the way this year. They've got a nice blend of youth and veterans and they matchup much better this year against their nemesis the Magic. Oh yeah they also got the best player in the game whose more determined and focus than ever