Post by cllaatsch on Feb 28, 2009 22:34:09 GMT -5
1. Golden State Warriors
8. Portland Trailblazers
Key match-up: Brad Daugherty vs. Benoit Benjamin
Injuries: None
With this match up we get to see one of the best teams in the league face a lower half team that snuck into the playoffs in the weaker western conference. Interesting match-ups should surface in Clyde Drexler vs. Dell Curry, Benoit Benjamin vs. Brad Daugherty, and Dee Brown vs. John Stockton. It is highly unlikely the Blazers post players can stay toe-to-toe with the likes of Daugherty, Lister, Rodman, and co. The probability of the Blazers winning two in this series is highly unlikely and the Warriors should take this one in five games.
Prediction: Warriors in five
2. San Antonio Spurs
7. Utah Jazz
Key match-up: Patrick Ewing vs. Arvydas Sabonis
Injuries: None
Patrick Ewing and co. will look to dominate the weaker Jazz. It is obvious that the Jazz may not have even been expecting to make the playoffs after trading for two first round picks in the 1992 draft (Knicks and Kings). However, fortunately or unfortunately for them they are in the playoffs and they draw the highly talented Spurs who boast both brute force in Ewing and finesse in the sweet shooting Reggie Lewis. While the Jazz do boast several all-star caliber players, McCray and Sabonis, they do not have the depth or firepower to win this series.
Prediction: Spurs in six
3. Seattle Supersonics
6. Los Angeles Clippers
Key match-up: Gary Payton vs. Terry Porter
Injuries: Dale Ellis (five days), A.C. Green (six days)
This match-up is an intriguing one in the west. We have the Sonics led by Roy Tarpley and co. versus the Los Angeles Clippers who are led by Oklahoma's very own Wayman Tisdale. Two huge injuries will affect the first few games of this series. The Supersonics will be missing their starting SG Dale Ellis while the Clippers will be missing their starting SF A.C. Green. Green's injury seems to be of less concern, while Ellis has been experiencing "blurred vision," a bad omen for a SG. With two powerhouse PFs and reliable depth in the front court, this series will be won and lost by the back court players from either team. Look for Terry Porter's experience to trump Payton's hustle and relentless defense. The Clippers have my vote of confidence, enjoy it while it lasts LAC.
Prediction: Clippers in seven
4. Sacramento Kings
5. Houston Rockets
Key match-up: Kevin Duckworth vs. Robert Parish
Injuries: Magic Johnson (seven days)
Can the Kings handle the younger Rockets? Will Magic's absence hinder the Kings' ability to advance to the second round? Will Kevin Johnson run wild without Magic on the court? No, yes, yes. Johnson and co. will look to benefit from this injury and the younger Rockets should be able to dominate this series. While it is a 4 vs. 5 match-up the series looks a lot like my aging grandfather asking me to play a game of one-on-one. While Parish brandishes the cane and Magic limps back on for the latter portion of the series, the Rockets will already have stolen the show.
Rockets in six
8. Portland Trailblazers
Key match-up: Brad Daugherty vs. Benoit Benjamin
Injuries: None
With this match up we get to see one of the best teams in the league face a lower half team that snuck into the playoffs in the weaker western conference. Interesting match-ups should surface in Clyde Drexler vs. Dell Curry, Benoit Benjamin vs. Brad Daugherty, and Dee Brown vs. John Stockton. It is highly unlikely the Blazers post players can stay toe-to-toe with the likes of Daugherty, Lister, Rodman, and co. The probability of the Blazers winning two in this series is highly unlikely and the Warriors should take this one in five games.
Prediction: Warriors in five
2. San Antonio Spurs
7. Utah Jazz
Key match-up: Patrick Ewing vs. Arvydas Sabonis
Injuries: None
Patrick Ewing and co. will look to dominate the weaker Jazz. It is obvious that the Jazz may not have even been expecting to make the playoffs after trading for two first round picks in the 1992 draft (Knicks and Kings). However, fortunately or unfortunately for them they are in the playoffs and they draw the highly talented Spurs who boast both brute force in Ewing and finesse in the sweet shooting Reggie Lewis. While the Jazz do boast several all-star caliber players, McCray and Sabonis, they do not have the depth or firepower to win this series.
Prediction: Spurs in six
3. Seattle Supersonics
6. Los Angeles Clippers
Key match-up: Gary Payton vs. Terry Porter
Injuries: Dale Ellis (five days), A.C. Green (six days)
This match-up is an intriguing one in the west. We have the Sonics led by Roy Tarpley and co. versus the Los Angeles Clippers who are led by Oklahoma's very own Wayman Tisdale. Two huge injuries will affect the first few games of this series. The Supersonics will be missing their starting SG Dale Ellis while the Clippers will be missing their starting SF A.C. Green. Green's injury seems to be of less concern, while Ellis has been experiencing "blurred vision," a bad omen for a SG. With two powerhouse PFs and reliable depth in the front court, this series will be won and lost by the back court players from either team. Look for Terry Porter's experience to trump Payton's hustle and relentless defense. The Clippers have my vote of confidence, enjoy it while it lasts LAC.
Prediction: Clippers in seven
4. Sacramento Kings
5. Houston Rockets
Key match-up: Kevin Duckworth vs. Robert Parish
Injuries: Magic Johnson (seven days)
Can the Kings handle the younger Rockets? Will Magic's absence hinder the Kings' ability to advance to the second round? Will Kevin Johnson run wild without Magic on the court? No, yes, yes. Johnson and co. will look to benefit from this injury and the younger Rockets should be able to dominate this series. While it is a 4 vs. 5 match-up the series looks a lot like my aging grandfather asking me to play a game of one-on-one. While Parish brandishes the cane and Magic limps back on for the latter portion of the series, the Rockets will already have stolen the show.
Rockets in six
