Post by Jahallstar on Jun 21, 2010 10:25:51 GMT -5
1 Indiana Pacers
vs
#8 Cleveland Cavaliers
Key Match-up : Rudy Gay vs Carmello Anthony
Injuries : Pacers - Michael Redd (Series) , Cavaliers - NONE
Season Series : Pacers 3-1
CAVALIERS 107, Pacers* 83
PACERS* 90, Cavaliers 79
Pacers* 114, CAVALIERS 97
PACERS* 100, Cavaliers 74
Outlook : The Indiana Pacers looked pretty unbeatable all season long. Then former MVP and Finals MVP Michael Redd wehtn down with a torn hamstring. The Cavs are licking their chops at the chance to knock off the mighty Pacers. They don't come in without firepower of their own. Rudy Gay has proven he is one of, if not the most dangerous player in the league. He will need to have a big series if the Cavs are going to pull off the upset. He does have youngster Brook Lopez who looks like he has come into his own to help him out also. The problem however is they don't really have any other weapons. They are not a great rebounding team and don't really have a floor general. The lack of rebounding might be the difference in this series. I look for Darko and Lee to control the glass in this series and that will just be to much for the Cavs to overcome. Neither team has a true PG and that could throw a loophole into things. I don't think that will change the outcome though.
Prediction : Pacers in 5
#2 Miami Heat
vs
#7 Philadelphia 76ers
Key Match-up : Tim Duncan vs Andrei Kirilenko
Injuries : Miami - NONE , Philadelphi - NONE
Season Series : 76ers 3-1
76ers 125, HEAT* 105
76ERS 122, Heat* 91
HEAT* 110, 76ers 93
76ERS 92, Heat* 85
Outlook : We have a major clash in styles in this series. The 76ers are an offensive team. They look to score and score often to win games. The heat on the other hand rely on their defense to win. The power forward matchup is very intreaguing this series. Tim Duncan knows what to do to win titles. He has done it several times in his career. He has a big time opponent though in AK47. AK has led the heat in scoring this year while anchoring their defense as well....Whoever gets the better of this matchup will probably win the series. A big wildcard could be Larry Hughes. I think he might very well be one of the top 5 players in this series and he isn't even starting. I think his energy off the bench will help the 76ers in their bid for the upset. In the end I think Hughes will outplay Hedu off the bench and suprise suprise....
Prediction : 76ers in 6
#3 Milwaukee Bucks
vs
#6 New Jersey Nets
Key Match-up : Dwayne Wade vs Ronnie Brewer
Injuries : Bucks - NONE , Nets - NONE
Season Series : Bucks 2-1
Nets 114, BUCKS** 113
Bucks** 108, NETS 92
Bucks** 113, NETS 96
Outlook : These two teams have one goal in mind and that is an UOSL title. The Nets came into the season with title aspirations and a stacked young lineup that was complimented by vets Billups and Bryant. The Bucks went about it a different way and traded for superstar Dwayne Wade and a defensive minded big man in Tyson Chandler. Both teams are far from their goal though and it has led to this huge first round matchup. The Nets need someone to take over. They have 3-4 guys who have the ability to do so but nobody has really stepped up as the leader this season. They may look to young Favors to do that but we don't know if he will deliver. For this reason I give a slight advantage to the Bucks. We know who will deliver for them. Wade has done that since he came into the league. Overall the lack of a #1 option will cost the Nets
Prediction : Bucks in 7
#4 Atlanta Hawks
vs
#5 Chicago Bulls
Key Match-up : Kelenna Azubuike vs Yakhouba Diawara
Injuries : Bulls - NONE , Hawks - NONE
Season Series : Bulls 2-1
BULLS***** 126, Hawks 83
BULLS***** 110, Hawks 85
HAWKS 113, Bulls***** 101
Outlook : This is a very interesting series. There are a few superstars who I see playing huge for their teams. I don't think Stevenson or Jefferson will be slowed down at all. That is why I have the key matchup as Azubuike vs Diawara. If Buike averages around 25 ppg this series I don't really think the Bulls have much of a chance. However if Diawara can play tight defense and keep him to around 18-21 ppg the Bulls can very well take it. The ageless wonder Etienne Preira will be looking to win one last title before his storied career comes to an end. People have counted him out before but he has proven them wrong every time. Does he have one more magical run left in him? Ultimatley I think the Bulls are one scorer short. I don't think Deng will be able to take enough heat off of Jefferson and I think this series will be the end of an era.
Prediction : Hawks in 7
