Post by anks on Aug 27, 2005 8:48:18 GMT -5
Playoff Breakdown (1st round)
Eastern Conference
76ers vs. Bucks
Season Series: (3-1) for 76ers
The 6ers backcourt has been dominating competition all season long and this series will not be any different. Stephen Jackson and Rafer Alston will have trouble keeping up with Starbury and the Answer all series long. CWebb, Al Harrington, and Dalembert will hold their own and more against Zach Randolph and Andrew Bogut. The only advantage to the Bucks is at the 3 but Artest isn’t overly gifted on offense nor is Iguodala a big part of the 6ers offense so Artest can not change the series on his own.
Advantage : 76ers
Cavs vs. Magic
Season Series: (2-2)
The magic are not a 7th seed team but injuries to different players at different times never allowed them to get in a groove. They finished the season strong winning 9 of 10 including a blowout win against the Cavaliers at home. Lebron has to dominate offensively for the Cavs to get past the Magic. He hasn’t had much trouble against Christie in the regular season but Lebron’s first appearance in the playoffs could be a learning experience. J Kidd has to lead this team if the Cavs are to make some noise in the east.
Advantage : Cavs
Heat vs. Pacers
Season Series: (3-0) for Heat
Heat have gone undefeated in their last 10 games and there is no end in sight. They are just too talented to have trouble against a team like the Pacers. JO and Michael Redd will be lucky to squeeze 1 win out of this series.
Advantage : Heat
Wizards vs. Pistons
Season Series: (2-2)
The Pistons have their hands full with this one. The wiz have been playing great team ball all season long. Caron got snubbed for the smoy award but he has the Wizards looking at the 2nd round appearance. I see this series going atleast 6 games but the Wizards are just a better team right now.
Advantage: Wizards
Western Conference
Suns vs. Kings
Season Series: (2-2)
The Suns have been hit with an injury to Kurt Thomas at a crucial time, especially since they are short on big men already. Haslem has to come in and play a big role. Despite that, Marion, JJ, Wade and Nash should not have any trouble dismantling the Kings. The Kings have not been playing good basketball lately. A team with Pierce and Francis should be better than the 8th seed.
Advantage: Suns
Timberwolves vs. Spurs
Season Series: (3-1) for Spurs
Tim Duncan and KG will be going at each other the whole series. If they neutralize each other, then the remaining cast has to determine the outcome of this series. The Twolves have better help for KG than the Spurs. With Duncan, its never over though. This series has the potential to go 7 games but I see the Wolves pulling out of this one.
Advantage: Timberwolves
Jazz vs. Rockets
Season Series: (4-0) for Rockets
The Jazz are getting eliminated in the 1st round. They are a good team but a combo of Tmac and Yao is just too much star/fire power for the Jazz. The Rockets started off rough but they seem to have found their groove now. Just an unlucky draw for the Jazz! Only 2 games separate the 3rd and 6th seeds.
Advantage: Rockets
Sonics vs. Mavericks
Season Series: 3-1 for the Sonics
This series will come down to the wire. Both these teams are evenly matched but only of them has Jesus on their side. Ray Allen will house Stackhouse!! Dirk will do his thing against Antoine as well. A series like this is very hard to judge because both teams like to run. It will come down to who has the most left in the tank at the end of the day. I can not go against Shuttlesworth.
Advantage: Sonics
Eastern Conference
76ers vs. Bucks
Season Series: (3-1) for 76ers
The 6ers backcourt has been dominating competition all season long and this series will not be any different. Stephen Jackson and Rafer Alston will have trouble keeping up with Starbury and the Answer all series long. CWebb, Al Harrington, and Dalembert will hold their own and more against Zach Randolph and Andrew Bogut. The only advantage to the Bucks is at the 3 but Artest isn’t overly gifted on offense nor is Iguodala a big part of the 6ers offense so Artest can not change the series on his own.
Advantage : 76ers
Cavs vs. Magic
Season Series: (2-2)
The magic are not a 7th seed team but injuries to different players at different times never allowed them to get in a groove. They finished the season strong winning 9 of 10 including a blowout win against the Cavaliers at home. Lebron has to dominate offensively for the Cavs to get past the Magic. He hasn’t had much trouble against Christie in the regular season but Lebron’s first appearance in the playoffs could be a learning experience. J Kidd has to lead this team if the Cavs are to make some noise in the east.
Advantage : Cavs
Heat vs. Pacers
Season Series: (3-0) for Heat
Heat have gone undefeated in their last 10 games and there is no end in sight. They are just too talented to have trouble against a team like the Pacers. JO and Michael Redd will be lucky to squeeze 1 win out of this series.
Advantage : Heat
Wizards vs. Pistons
Season Series: (2-2)
The Pistons have their hands full with this one. The wiz have been playing great team ball all season long. Caron got snubbed for the smoy award but he has the Wizards looking at the 2nd round appearance. I see this series going atleast 6 games but the Wizards are just a better team right now.
Advantage: Wizards
Western Conference
Suns vs. Kings
Season Series: (2-2)
The Suns have been hit with an injury to Kurt Thomas at a crucial time, especially since they are short on big men already. Haslem has to come in and play a big role. Despite that, Marion, JJ, Wade and Nash should not have any trouble dismantling the Kings. The Kings have not been playing good basketball lately. A team with Pierce and Francis should be better than the 8th seed.
Advantage: Suns
Timberwolves vs. Spurs
Season Series: (3-1) for Spurs
Tim Duncan and KG will be going at each other the whole series. If they neutralize each other, then the remaining cast has to determine the outcome of this series. The Twolves have better help for KG than the Spurs. With Duncan, its never over though. This series has the potential to go 7 games but I see the Wolves pulling out of this one.
Advantage: Timberwolves
Jazz vs. Rockets
Season Series: (4-0) for Rockets
The Jazz are getting eliminated in the 1st round. They are a good team but a combo of Tmac and Yao is just too much star/fire power for the Jazz. The Rockets started off rough but they seem to have found their groove now. Just an unlucky draw for the Jazz! Only 2 games separate the 3rd and 6th seeds.
Advantage: Rockets
Sonics vs. Mavericks
Season Series: 3-1 for the Sonics
This series will come down to the wire. Both these teams are evenly matched but only of them has Jesus on their side. Ray Allen will house Stackhouse!! Dirk will do his thing against Antoine as well. A series like this is very hard to judge because both teams like to run. It will come down to who has the most left in the tank at the end of the day. I can not go against Shuttlesworth.
Advantage: Sonics
