San Antonio has the 2nd best record in the entire NBA, 61-21. They have been here before. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have all been NBA champions in the past. The playoffs are nothing new to them. Their veteran core always makes them a threat and a serious contender. The Spurs face Zach Randolph and the stubborn Memphis Grizzlies in what should turn out to be a "grind it out" type of series.
The Lakers are going for a 3rd consecutive title. This is likely Phil Jackson's final season as head coach and you know the players would love to send him off with another ring. Kobe and his squad, slept on all year round, always end up as everyone's favorite to win it all come playoff time. They have proven themselves to be the sleeping giant. Don't wake him up and don't make him angry. They face an All-Star and arguably the best point guard in the NBA in Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets.
The young All-Stars Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook in Oklahoma City have shown all season that they have improved on all fronts. Great defense and stellar offense have the Thunder being the only team in the Western conference capable of running their opponents out of the gym. After losing Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks, the Denver Nuggets have played their best basketball coming into the playoffs and are sharing the ball extremely well. Highlights will come easily.
Future Hall of Famers Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd along with Tyson Chandler are no slouches either. 11 straight 50 win seasons and still forgotten by the media. Any team that thinks the Dallas Mavericks are washed up should beware and fans should tune in. The window might be closing for these veterans and there is no doubt they will be performing at their best. Bruised but not beaten, the Portland Trailblazers, lead by Lamarcus Aldridge and Gerald Wallace, are like an injured and cornered dog, very desperate and very dangerous. It's no secret that injuries have been a steady problem for them during the past few seasons, but seeing as how this is the playoffs, anything can happen.
As far as the first round goes, the East has the hype, but the West has the competition.
Here are the match ups and my predictions.
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (8) Memphis Grizzlies {Spurs win series 4-2}
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs (7) New Orleans Hornets {Lakers win series 4-2}
(3) Dallas Mavericks vs (6) Portland Trailblazers {Mavericks win series 4-2}
(4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (5) Denver Nuggets {Nuggets win series 4-3}
Series to watch: (4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (5) Denver Nuggets
The first round of the NBA playoffs are where some of the easiest predictions can be made, but the Thunder and Nuggets series is shaping up to be the most entertaining. Both teams have a fast paced, assist heavy, above the rim style of play. The advantage is clearly on the side of the Thunder with the ability to rely heavily on Durant and Westbrook, but make no doubt, Denver will come prepared to play and alley-oops and 3-pointers will make up a lot of this series points. Once the Thunder decide to lock down on defense they will win this series.
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