Here’s something I don’t think I’ve ever said before: Thank God we now have the opportunity to watch some basketball played by teams that are trying to win.
Jump for my 2012 NBA playoff first-round predictions. As well as my bonus predictions for the conference champions and the NBA title, in case you happen to be looking at those lines (I’m not). Continue reading
Posted in NBA Playoffs, Predictions
Grizzlies v. Thunder, Game 7
This one has played out almost exactly as I believed it would. The key to game 7 will be the officiating, as Jeff van Gundy slyly hinted in the last game when he said this regarding the Grizzlies’ physical defense of Kevin Durant: “I’m curious to see whether those bumps will be fouls in Oklahoma City.” Continue reading
Feltbot’s got action in every series in round 2, but after the first two games hit the books, only one series is really making him sweat. Jump for the 411.
One of the most intriguing NBA playoffs in recent memory didn’t disappoint in the first round. Shockingly, the #1 seed San Antonio Spurs fell to the #8 Grizzlies. But I don’t buy into the idea that this means the Grizzlies are now a better team than the Spurs. Ginobili was playing with one arm, and Tim Duncan was probably only 80% coming off his late season ankle sprain. These sorts of unlucky injuries can mean everything in a playoff series. Remember Lebron on one arm?
The Atlanta Hawks also shocked the Orlando Magic. Which shows conclusively that how a team plays down the stretch in the regular season means almost nothing. Was there a worse team than the Hawks in the last month of the season? I remember the Celtics were also horrible last year in March and April. And of course, the Lakers were 3-7 coming into these playoffs.
Round 2 begins tomorrow, and with it the promise of more intriguing matchups. Jump for the 411. Continue reading
Posted in NBA Playoffs, Predictions, Previews, Wagers
Tagged Bulls, Celtics, Grizzlies, Hawks, Heat, Lakers, Mavericks, NBA Playoffs, Preview, Thunder
