My NBA Playoffs 2007 predictions

So the NBA playoffs have already started which means that games will be more exciting, thrilling and breathtaking. These years’ playoffs pairing includes a three rematch from last years playoff, these are Chicago vs Miami, Washington vs Cleveland and Phoenix vs Los Angeles (Lakers). The other pairings in the west are San Antonio and Denver, Houston and Utah, Dallas and Golden State (G.S. are in the playoffs for the first time since 1994). For the East pairings aside from the mentioned above are Detroit vs Orlando and Toronto vs New Jersey.

Well for my fearless predictions: in the West I’d go for Dallas to beat G.S (though I would love Dallas to be eliminated in the 1st round I just don’t see it happening), Dallas experience in the playoffs being the finalist last would be just overwhelming for G.S. San Antonio topping Denver, A.I. and Carmelo is a great combination but they still don’t have that chemistry to beat San Antonio, maybe next year with more time to jell and adding a little more defense. For the Phoenix and Los Angeles series, there’s no way the Lakers beating the Suns. Ok I acknowledge Kobe being a great player but last year the Lakers could not beat the Suns without Amare how much more this time with a healthy and dominating Amare. And for the Houston and Utah match up, this series is really hard to predict (though Houston leads the series 2-0 as of this writing). I predict that this series would go all the way to game seven with Houston edging Utah. Yao and T-mac would just be too much for the Jazz. Even though Utah also boasts a 1-2 punch in Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur they are just no much for the two all stars from Houston.

In the East, for the 1 seed and 8 seed match up, I can see Detroit having an easy outing against Orlando. Well Dwight Howard is awesome for the Magic but the Pistons just have too much fire power for the magic to overcome. Cleveland and Washington series for me is very much lopsided because of the absence of the two all stars of the wizards from injury. Without Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler from the line up of Washington it would be impossible for them to beat Cleveland. The Toronto and New Jersey series could provide the drama in the playoffs because of Vince Carter. As everybody know that Vince started his career in Toronto and had a bitter break up when he transferred to New Jersey. I can see Toronto beating New Jersey in seven games because of the Talent around Toronto star Chris Bosh. And the Chicago Bulls versus the defending champion Miami Heat is a series to look forward to. Last year the Heat beat the Bulls in six hard fought games. Some experts say that Chicago gave Miami the most difficult series in the whole playoffs last year. So the Bulls are thinking revenge (as of now the Bulls leads the series 2-0 going in the Miami). With Luol Deng and Ben Gordon having a breakout season and Kirk Hinrich in his usual dominating self, I see the Bulls avenging their loss last year. Not to mention D-Wade is injured in this series.

In the second round, Dallas overcoming Houston and Phoenix over San Antonio in a seven game classic, and in the Western Conference Finals Phoenix over Dallas.

For the East, Bulls over the Pistons and Cleveland beating Toronto. And in the Eastern Conference Finals Bulls over the Cleveland. For the NBA Finals the Phoenix Suns winning it all over the Chicago Bulls.