After much drama and speculation, the NBA Playoffs have now advanced to the conference semi-finals, and from the best sixteen teams in the league, only the eight better ones remain. Let us take a look at the four matches of the second round.
1.Los Angeles Lakers (1) v. Houston Rockets (5)
Considering that both teams were both searching for their A-game, this series should get more intense as the games proceed.
The Lakers, despite trashing the Jazz in five games, haven't tapped their full potential. Kobe is not the scoring machine that everyone knows of, and Andrew Bynum is still in bad shape, not really pulling off the double-digit boards that Phil Jackson is expecting him to get. However, Pau Gasol and Trevor Ariza, inarguably the best guys on this team in so far as the postseason goes, keeps the team up and running.
The Great Wall has to be the best player on both sides for the Houston Rockets, backed up by the defense of Ron Artest and Shane Battier. Their battle against that offensive weapon named Portland Trailblazers put up a statement with a big capital D. They were able to stop Brandon Roy and his team in six games, a feat that defensive teams can only achieve. However, to win, the Rockets need not only their defense, but also the offensive plays that coach Rick Adelman prepared for them, with Yao and Artest in the centerpiece.
This will be a classic battle between coaches and players of both teams, considering that Phil Jackson and Rick Adelman are facing each other again. Lakers in 7.
2.Denver Nuggets (2) v. Dallas Mavericks (6)
The Denver Nuggets seem to have gotten their own momentum as a team, but the Dallas Mavericks have to catch up with that if they want to last longer in the postseason.
Chauncey Billups banked on his playoff experience and his skill of finding open teammates in leading his team to the second round. He was able to play well with Carmelo Anthony, Nene, and Chris Andersen. Their game against the New Orleans Hornets, with a record of leading over 50 points, showed that the Nugs should not be underestimated. They played great defense. They distributed the ball well. And undoubtedly, they know how to play ball after the regular season.
It's not Dirk that will be the greatest weapon of the Mavericks for this season. Instead, it will be his teammates who will and should be ready to score when the German all-star will be tightly guarded above and inside the key. Josh Howard could provide the distraction for he is able to get the ball in by twenty-footers, and at the same time be able to slash and get a foul. J.J. Barea and Jason Kidd could do a good job in setting up the play and making unbelievable assists. It is true that beating the Spurs may not have been the challenge that they were looking for, but in this stage, all of them have to really step up.
It's the battle of the point guards as this series would progress, but I think Chauncey will get the better share, with Nuggets in 6.
3.Cleveland Cavaliers (1) v. Atlanta Hawks (4)
All of us (even the Lakers fans) have to admit that in the postseason, Cleveland is the strongest team out there. However, their last series wasn't much of a challenge. Will Atlanta prove to be a formidable opponent for LeBron and his squad?
The Cavaliers kept their energy up despite knowing that the Pistons couldn't equal them. LeBron James, this year's Most Valuable Player, has shown that his team could break all obstacles in the road that leads them to the championship. Sweeping the Pistons, once a true playoff contender, is already a warning that if teams wouldn't be serious with Cleveland, they'll receive humiliating losses.
But it seems that Atlanta is prepared to face the first seed team. Mike Bibby and the rest of the Hawks are better than they were during their explosive playoff appearance last season, and they have proven this by forcing Dwyane Wade and the Heat to pack their bags and rest for the summer. If there's an advantage that they had over Miami, it has to be their incredible teamwork and their smooth ball distribution that broke down the Heat defense. Whether their method will work against the raging Cavaliers is still a question, as they face a challenge that is beyond them.
Though Atlanta might prove to be strong, I don't think they can last that long against the Cavaliers. It'll be Lebron in 6.
4.Boston Celtics (2) vs. Orlando Magic (3)
Two dominating teams, and we all know that only one really make it.
The Orlando Magic, despite having a difficult time playing with the Sixers and defeating them for good, have always relied on Dwight Howard. However, during the postseason, we witnessed all of the Magic stepping up and assisting Dwight Howard. There's Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu, who were very helpful on both sides of the court. Also, there are the team snipers, ready to pull off quick treys and mid-range jumpers, such as Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, and JJ Redick. Even without top point guard Jameer Nelson, the Magic are ready to fight until the end.
On the other hand, the Boston Celtics still cannot find their good game amidst top forward Kevin Garnett's injury. It seems that they have just been lucky enough to escape with a game 7 win over the Chicago Bulls. To look at the whole series, they are on the brink of elimination. Thanks to Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, the Celtics' go-to guys. But can the Celtics rely on them the same way as they did against the Bulls, when we mean serious business, meaning playing against lock-and-loaded Magic?
Though the Magic lack still lack the playoff experience that can equal that of the Celtics, I still think that Dwight Howard will make the difference. Magic in 7.
Own predictions, anyone?
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