Post by Jahallstar on Aug 12, 2009 9:24:51 GMT -5
#1 Chicago Bulls
vs
#8 Cleveland Cavaliers
Key Match-up : Etienne Preira vs Kenny Anderson
Injuries : Bulls - Ignacio Rodriguez (Series), Vernon Maxwell (Series) , Alejandro Camby (Games 1-5 Cavs - None
Season Series : Bulls 4-0
Bulls 106, CAVALIERS 102
Bulls 117, CAVALIERS 97
BULLS 110, Cavaliers 91
BULLS 102, Cavaliers 94
Outlook : I don't think I've ever seen a team that has been struck by injuries as much as the Bulls. While the Cavs may be one of the best 8 seeds we have ever seen this would normally look like an easy series for the Bulls. However now with half of their payroll out with injuries it might be a different story. MVP Etienne Preira will have to have an even bigger series than we have become accustomed to from him. Preira is coming off his worst game of the season and is facing a great defensive PG in Kenny Anderson. If Anderson can keep him to around 44% shooting the Cavs will probably knock off the championship favorite Bulls in the first round. Nick Anderson is leading the way for Cleveland and if youngster Tim Duncan can excel on the big stage watch out. Mutumbo MUST make sure that does not happen. Overall the Bulls will still have a lot of fight. The Camby injury may have just put them over the edge though.
Prediction : Cavs in 6
#2 Philadelphia 76ers
vs
#7 Charlotte Hornets
Key Match-up : Stephen Jackson vs Ron Mercer
Injuries : Philadelphia - None , Charlotte - Brad Daugherty (Games 1-4) , Muggsy Bogues (Games 1-3)
Season Series : 2-1 Philly
76ERS 92, Hornets** 84
HORNETS** 107, 76ers 87
76ERS 114, Hornets** 111
Outlook : Another series where injuries will play a key factor. Charlotte came into this series with one series threat in the post and that was Brad Daugherty. With him out everything is pretty much going to fall on their two wings. Larry Johnson will be more than happy to take on that load though. It will be hard for him to do it by himself. On the other end of the court the 76ers won the Atlantic with balanced scoring. Their back-court of Penny and SJax has been solid for them all year long. With Tarlac providing the scoring in the middle they should look good against Charlotte. While in my opinion Charlotte is the better team here. Due to injuries I will have to say :
Prediction : 76ers in 5
#3 Milwaukee Bucks
vs
#6 Toronto Raptors
Key Match-up : Grant Hill vs Hu Weidong
Injuries : Milwaukee - None , Toronto - None
Season Series : Bucks 3-1
BUCKS 98, Raptors* 86
Bucks 106, RAPTORS* 104
Bucks 110, RAPTORS* 94
Raptors* 113, BUCKS 108
Outlook : Well up to now we've talked about injuries. Now we will talk about someone that is not injured, Michael Jordan. Jordan has played in less than half of the games this season. Yet his Raptors team has still won 46 games and made the playoffs. Now Michael and all his friends are healthy and that is bad news for the Bucks. There is a very good chance the winner of this series will head to the finals since the Bulls are kind of beat up. The Bucks are no slouch though. They are still very young though. McDyess is the vet of the bunch and he will need to take advantage of his match-up with Brian Grant. This series might ultimately come down to the Weidong vs Hill match-up at SF. This is a match-up between each of the teams 2nd options and could be vital to the outcome. Back-court edge goes to Toronto, Front-court to the Bucks. I think the experience of the Raptors might give them the overall edge.
Prediction : Raptors in 7
#4 Indiana Pacers
vs
#5 Miami Heat
Key Match-up :Reggie Lewis vs Scottie Pippen
Injuries : Indiana - Jayson Williams ( Series) , Miami - Kobe Bryant (Series), Sherman Douglas (Game 1)
Season Series : Indiana 2-1
PACERS 98, Heat* 92
HEAT* 104, Pacers 94
PACERS 126, Heat* 110
Outlook : This series looks fun. We'll start off with the key match-up between Scottie Pippen and Reggie Lewis. Two great defenders that pick and choose their moments to light up the scoreboard as well. Who ever brings their A game to this series will give their team a huge edge. The one person that the Pacers do need to score is Harold Miner. Baby Jordan has been playing great since his move to PG. This has really propelled the Pacers to the top of the league. If he can dominate this series I would expect Indiana to advance. The Pacers front-court will need to keep Karl Malone in check though. Malone has tons of experience in the playoffs. And while longley and Roberts have played well for Indiana this year the front-court edge clearly goes to the mailman. I think the Kobe injury will hurt the Heat a lot. While the youngster is not the go to man on the Heat yet the team does have a severe lack of depth in their back-court. This might just be to much to overcome.
Prediction : Pacers in 7
