No prizes, no bets. Lets just see who can flat out predict... 1st Round EAST: <b>1 Nets --3</b> 8 Pacers --2 * The Pacers will be the first team I follow in the playoffs this year, and I'd like to say they'll win, but I doubt it. I was hoping Reggie could get another shot in the finals, but it's not looking good. <b>2 Pistons --3</b> 7 Raptors --0 * I'd love to see Dream do something in the playoffs, but the Pistons will do some damage in the playoffs. Ben Wallace is the best thing that's happened to them since 1990. 3 Celtics --2 <b>6 Sixers --3</b> * This is only if Iverson is there. I really don't like the Celtics chances, but they will beat Philly without Iverson playing. <b>4 Hornets --3</b> 5 Magic --1 * This is the hardest to predict, as the majority of 4-5 matchups are. I see the Hornets taking it in 4 with a nice all around game. WEST: <b>1 Kings --3</b> 8 Jazz --0 * No way the Jazz can keep up with this team. I see all three games being blowouts. <b>2 Spurs --3</b> 7 Sonics --0 * Absolutely no one on Seattle can stop Duncan. Seattle is not a team that threatens anybody in these playoffs. <b>3 Lakers --3</b> 6 Blazers --1 * Blazers will shock LA in one of the first two games, sending the Lakers into their usual zone. <b>4 Mavs --3</b> 5 Wolves --2 * Very close series, but I think Steve Nash will be the difference. If Brandon was healthy, I could see the Wolves winning this one. Semi Finals EAST: 1 Nets --3 <b>4 Hornets --4</b> * I think the Hornets will give NJ fits defensively. I have never really visioned the Nets getting far in the playoffs this year. <b>2 Pistons --4</b> 6 Sixers --2 * Stack and Iverson(if playing) will somewhat neutralize each other, and I think Detroit has a better supporting cast. <b>1 Kings --4</b> 4 Mavs --1 * Yet another second round loss for the Mavs, and it will continue until they get some kind of force down low. There will be a lot of running and little defense, but CWebb will be the difference. <b>2 Lakers --4</b> Spurs 2 * Derek Anderson might make this a different story, just like last year, but he's not there. Duncan might come back with a vengeance from last year, but they still come up short. Conference Finals <b>2 Pistons --4</b> 4 Hornets --3 * A hard fought battle comes out with the Pistons on top. This would probably be the most exciting series in the whole playoffs. 1 Kings -- 2 <b>2 Lakers --4</b> * Mike Bibby and no J-Will makes this a very good series, but by this time Shaq and Kobe will be clicking. Game 6 would be a must win in LA, cause the Lakers don't want to go the SacTown for game 7. Finals <b> LAKERS --4</b> Pistons --1 * Not quite as interesting as last years finals, but I think Detroit could scrape up a win. Ben Wallace is a great defender, but if Mutumbo couldn't stop Shaq, neither will Wallace. Lakers win again...yawn.
East: Nets-- 3 Pacers-- 1 Pistons-- 3 Raptors-- 0 Celtics-- 1 Sixers-- 3 Hornets-- 2 Magic-- 3 West: Kings-- 3 Jazz-- 0 Spurs-- 3 Sonics-- 1 Lakers-- 3 Blazers-- 2 Mavs-- 3 Wolves-- 2 Second round: Pistons-- 2 Sixers-- 4 Nets-- 4 Magic-- 1 Kings-- 4 Mavs-- 3 Spurs-- 4 Lakers-- 2 Conference Finals: Nets-- 2 Sixers-- 4 Kings-- 2 Spurs-- 4 NBA Finals: Spurs-- 4 Sixers-- 0 Just like '99...
Im not going to bother with a bracket, it doesnt really matter.. LAKERS WILL WIN AGAIN. THREE PEAT!!!!
East: Nets-- 3 Pacers-- 2 Pistons-- 2 Raptors-- 3 Celtics-- 3 Sixers-- 2 Hornets-- 2 Magic-- 3 West: Kings-- 3 Jazz-- 0 Spurs-- 3 Sonics-- 0 Lakers-- 3 Blazers-- 0 Mavs-- 3 Wolves-- 2 Second round: Raptors-- 3 Celtics-- 4 Nets-- 3 Magic-- 4 Kings-- 3 Mavs-- 4 Spurs-- 2 Lakers-- 4 Conference Finals: Magic- 3 Celtics-- 4 Lakers-- 4 Mavs-- 2 NBA Finals: Lakers-- 4 Celtics-- 0
Actually, if the Sonics get hot, they can beat anyone. They split the series with the Spurs 2-2, and lost the last game in San Antonio without Rashard Lewis by two points at the buzzer. The Sonics' superior offense will lead them to a series victory in four games. This was the matchup I was hoping for. Nets-- 2 Pacers-- 3 The Nets are a team designed for the regular season. The slower pace of the playoffs will kill them, and Reggie will win game five with a three. Pistons-- 2 Raptors-- 3 Hakeem will get hot!!! Celtics-- 3 Sixers-- 1 Iverson will be rusty, and the superior firepower of the Celtics will be the difference. Hornets-- 3 Magic-- 1 The Hornets are one of the best all-around teams in the east, maybe the best. West: Kings-- 3 Jazz-- 0 I will be enjoying this one! Spurs-- 1 Sonics-- 3 Gary Payton will carry the Sonics in game one, and the home crowd will "Spur" the offense on. Lakers-- 3 Blazers-- 2 Close games, with the home court team winning each time. Mavs-- 3 Wolves-- 1 This will be a shootout, with the Mavs protecting homecourt and finishing the series in game 4. Second Round: East: Pacers-- 1 Hornets-- 4 This is where the veteran Hornets take care of the young Pacers. Raptors-- 2 Celtics-- 4 Once again, the offense will be the deciding factor. Boston just has more firepower. This is assuming that Vince does not play. West: Kings-- 2 Mavericks-- 4 The Mavs won both games against the Kings in Arco, an icredible feat. That confidence will lead them to a game-one win, and homecourt will be protected the rest of the way. This will be an offensive masterpiece. Sonics-- 2 Lakers-- 4 The Sonics have played the Lakers well the last few years. Homecourt will be protected until game 6 in Seattle. Eastern Finals: Hornets: 3 Celtics: 4 This could go either way, but I think homecourt will make the differecne. Western Finals: Mavericks: 3 Lakers: 4 The Lakers have a psychological edge. Homecourt. NBA Finals: The Lakers win it again, but in an exciting seven game series. I'd love for a new champion to be crowned, but I don't feel as bad about the Lakers winning as I have in the past. Western Finals:
East: Nets-- 2 Pacers-- 3 Pistons-- 1 Raptors-- 3 Celtics-- 1 Sixers-- 3 Hornets-- 3 Magic-- 2 West: Kings-- 3 Jazz-- 1 Spurs-- 3 Sonics-- 0 Lakers-- 3 Blazers-- 1 Mavs-- 3 Wolves-- 1 Second round: Raptors-- 1 Sixers-- 4 Pacers-- 4 Hornets-- 2 Kings-- 2 Mavs-- 4 Spurs-- 2 Lakers-- 4 Conference Finals: Pacers-- 2 Sixers-- 4 Mavs-- 4 Lakers--3 NBA Finals: Mavs-- 4 Sixers-- 1 Dirk will carry the Mavs to the championship.
East: First round... New Jersey 3 Indiana 0 Jason Kidd will run circles around Jamaal Tinsley and the Nets will sweep em back home. Detroit 3 Toronto 1 The difference: Ben Wallace taking Antonio Davis (and all Raptor hopes) out of it early and often. Boston 3 Philly 2 If Iverson were healthier (i.e. there were no questions about his health), I think the Sixers would win. As it is, Boston will have a little too much firepower for them. Charlotte 2 Orlando 3 Charlotte is merely adequate at home; Orlando (when healthy) is one of the best home teams in the league. Personally, I think Charlotte is overrated, but it'll be a close series. Like Milwaukee last year, no answer for McGrady from Charlotte. West: Sacramento 3 Utah 1 Too much firepower from the Kings; they'll run all over the Jazz. San Antonio 3 Seattle 0 Seattle has no answer for Duncan or Robinson; Payton will run over Parker, but it won't be nearly enough. Los Angeles 3 Portland 2 Though LA will be fired up after their debacle in Portland last week, they may be missing Horry and Portland seems to have one goal: to get past LA. Still, Shaq is too much for the Lakers. Dallas 3 Minnesota 1 Probably the best matchup here, but Minnesota's zone and lack of offensive power will catch up to them. That being said, I don't think Dallas will do great in the playoffs, but they can easily get past the Wolves. Second Round: East: New Jersey 3 Orlando 4 Probably the best series in this round. Assuming the Magic stay healthy, they can keep with New Jersey over a longer series. Keeping home court will be very important. Detroit 4 Boston 2 Ben Wallace will demolish Boston's frontcourt; Boston's lack of overall defense will hurt them against Stackhouse and the Pistons' other offensive options. West: Sacramento 4 Dallas 3 Another intriguing series, but Sacramento's style of play adapts to the playoffs better. San Antonio 3 Los Angeles 4 No answer for Kobe from the Spurs; Shaq will still get his. Conference Finals: Detroit 4 Orlando 2 See the other series involving Detroit. McGrady can't do it all for the entire playoffs. Sacramento 3 Los Angeles 4 Just a gut feeling. Finals: Los Angeles 4 Detroit 2 Inexperience and the sheer power of Shaq will hurt Detroit in the finals.
1st Round EAST: 1 Nets-3 8 Pacers-1 2 Pistons --3 7 Raptors --1 3 Celtics --1 <b>6 Sixers --3</b> 4 Hornets- 5 Magic-3 WEST: <b>1 Kings --3</b> 8 Jazz --0 <b>2 Spurs-3</b> 7 Sonics-1 <b>3 Lakers-3</b> 6 Blazers-2 4 Mavs-2 5 Wolves-3 Semi Finals EAST: Nets --4 Hornets-2 2Pistons-3 Sixers-4 <b> Kings-4</b> Wolves-2 2 Lakers-4 Spurs-3 Conference Finals Nets-3 Sixers-4 1 Kings -- 3 <b>Lakers-4</b> Finals Nets-1 Lakers-4 Sigh. Lakers three-peat.
East: Round 1 Nets Pacers Pistons Raptors Celtics Sixers Hornets Magic West: Kings Jazz Spurs Sonics Lakers Blazers Mavs Wolves Round 2 East: Nets Pistons Celtics Magic West: Kings Sonics Lakers Mavs Conference Finals East: Celtics Pistons West: Kings Lakers Final Celtics vs Lakers Lakers win
Round 1 EAST: (1)Nets (8)Pacers (2)Pistons (7)Raptors (3)Celtics (6)76ers (4)Hornets (5)Magic WEST: (1)Kings (8)Jazz (2)Spurs (7)Sonics (3)Lakers (6)Trail Blazers (4)Mavericks (5)Timberwolves Round 2 EAST (8)Pacers (4)Hornets (2)Pistons (6)76ers WEST (1)Kings (4)Mavericks (2)Spurs (3)Lakers EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS (2)Pistons (4)Hornets WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS (1)Kings (3)Lakers NBA FINALS (1)Kings 4 wins (4)Hornets 2 wins NBA CHAMPIONS Sacramento Kings
East: Nets - 3 Pacers - 1 Pistons - 3 Raptors - 0 Celtics - 3 Sixers - 2 Hornets - 2 Magic - 3 West: Kings - 3 Jazz - 0 Spurs - 3 Sonics - 2 Lakers - 3 Blazers - 2 Mavs - 3 Wolves - 2 Second round: Nets - 4 Orlando - 3 Detroit - 4 Celtics - 2 Kings - 4 Mavs - 2 Spurs - 2 Lakers - 4 Conference Finals: Nets - 3 Detroit - 4 Kings - 4 Lakers - 3 NBA Finals: Kings - 4 Detroit - 2
NBA EAST: New Jersey 3 Indiana 0 Detroit 3 Toronto 2 Philadelphia 3 Boston 2 Orlando 3 Charlotte 2 WEST: Sacramento 3 Utah 2 San Antonio 3 Seattle 0 LA Lakers 3 Portland 2 Dallas 3 Minnesota 2 2nd Round: New Jersey 4 Orlando 3 Philadelphia 4 Detroit 2 Sacramento 4 Dallas 3 LA Lakers 4 San Antonio 3 CONFERENCE FINALS New Jersey 4 Philadelphia 3 LA Lakers 4 Sacramento 2 FINALS LA Lakers 4 New Jersey 2 MVP: Kobe Bryant
No way Toronto beats Detroit without Vince Carter. Detroit plays too much D for Toronto's weak offense.
<b><i>First Round:</i></b> <u>East:</u> <b>Nets-- 3</b> Pacers-- 2 Pistons-- 2 <b>Raptors-- 3 </b> <b>Celtics-- 3</b> Sixers-- 2 <b>Hornets-- 3</b> Magic-- 2 <b><u>West: </u></b> <b>Kings-- 3 </b> Jazz-- 0 <b>Spurs-- 3 </b> Sonics-- 0 <b>Lakers-- 3 </b> Blazers-- 2 <b>Mavs-- 3 </b> Wolves-- 2 <b><i>Second round: </i></b> Raptors-- 1 <b>Celtics-- 4 </b> <b>Nets-- 4 </b> Hornets-- 3 <b>Kings-- 4 </b> Mavs-- 2 Spurs-- 2 <b>Lakers-- 4 </b> <b><i>Conference Finals: </i></b> <b>Nets-- 4</b> Celtics-- 2 Kings-- 2 <b>Lakers-- 4 </b> <b><i>NBA Finals: </i></b> Nets-- 1 <b>Lakers-- 4</b>
<b><i>First Round:</i></b> <u>East:</u> <b>Nets-- 3</b> Pacers-- 1 <b>Pistons-- 3 </b> Raptors-- 1 Celtics-- 3 <b>Sixers-- 2 </b> <b>Hornets-- 3</b> Magic-- 2 <b><u>West: </u></b> <b>Kings-- 3 </b> Jazz-- 0 <b>Spurs-- 3 </b> Sonics-- 1 Lakers-- 2 <b>Blazers-- 3</b> <b>Mavs-- 3 </b> Wolves-- 1 <b><i>Second round: </i></b> Nets -- 4 Hornets -- 3 Pistons -- 4 Sixers -- 2 Kings -- 4 Mavs -- 3 Spurs -- 4 Blazers -- 2 <b><i>Conference Finals: </i></b> Nets -- 4 Pistons -- 3 Kings -- 2 Spurs -- 4 <b><i>NBA Finals: </i></b> Nets -- 2 <b>Spurs -- 4</b> Spurs win.
(1) Nets over (8) Pacers (4) Hornets over (5) Magic (6) Sixers over (3) Celtics (2) Pistons over (7) Raptors (1) Nets over (4) Hornets (2) Pistons over (6) Sixers (1) Nets over (2) Pistons --- (1) Kings over (8) Jazz (5) Wolves over (4) Mavs (3) Lakers over (6) Blazers (2) Spurs over (7) Sonics (1) Kings over (5) Wolves (3) Lakers over (2) Spurs (3) Lakers over (1) Kings --- (3) Lakers over (1) Nets
I can't believe almost everyone has the Kings beating the Mavs. I bet the first one that wants to make the bet $ 20 that if it comes down to Kings vs. Mavs, the Mavs will win.
I can't believe how many people are taking the Nets out of the East. I agree with ZRB, they are a team designed for the regular season. They really don't have a go-to guy that can carry them win they need it the most. Kidd is a great PG, but I don't think he's the type that can take the whole team on his shoulders and carry them through the playoffs.
