Monday, May 3, 2010

The NBA Second Round

THE EAST SEMIFINALS

CLEVELAND (1) vs. BOSTON (4)

The two stars will be at it again

This is the most highly anticipated rematch of the eastern conference. Both teams were no match against their first round opponents and will probably make the full distance in this one considering the fact that their playoff match up two years ago was decided in the last minute of the 7th game. This time, King James is the full blown star while the big three are slowly digressing. The key to the Celtics is the fourth man, Rajon Rondo. If his scoring and playmaking skills are contained and so will the Celtics. He is now the heart and soul of the Celts. ON the other hand, supporting cast is important in this kind of match up so better look for Mo Williams, Delonte West and Antawn Jamison to help out the Unstoppable one.These two are my two favorite teams and its sad to say I think the Cavs will take this one in six.

ORLANDO (2) vs. ATLANTA (3)

Horford has lots of problems ahead

The Magic were the first team to end their playoff games with a 4-0 sweep of the Charlotte Bobcats while the Hawks were the only team that went the full distance. The Hawks survived the series against the Bogut-less Bucks and had to blow out the opposition in games 6 and 7 which more than gave them the team work and defense they were lacking in the previous games. Look for the Magic to go past the Hawks as Superman, Mr. Half Amazing and a resurgent Jameer Nelson is too much to handle. But this time it will be closer than expected.

WEST

LOS ANGELES (1) vs. UTAH (5)


Talk about coaching, resiliency and a man named Deron Williams who willed the injury plagued Utah Jazz to the second round against one of the better teams in the West - the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately for the Jazz, the Nuggets are not actually the best defensive squad in the West while the Lakers are both offensively and defensively far better than the Nuggets. The Lakers running game and Jazz lack of defensive tenacity will tell eventually as the Lakers will most probably eliminate the Jazz for the third consecutive season.

PHOENIX (3) vs. SAN ANTONIO (7)

Nash and Parker will have
greater battles ahead

A new star has arrived for the Spurs in the person of George Hill. Suddenly he was the unstoppable force after the Mavericks have contained the Spurs stars. Hill averaged 14 points to take the spotlight off big named stars like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli and even Richard Jefferson who are the big guns of the Spurs. On the other hand, the Suns had a little tweaking to do before finally getting rid of the ala Willis Reed – Brandon Roy led Trail Blazers. When the Suns got their game going there was no stopping them. The points just kept on piling but they will be in a rut against the Spurs who have better defense than the Blazers. This series can go either way but my money is on the Spurs.

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