Post by Reevesport on Feb 3, 2005 20:05:36 GMT -5
The second round is upon us, we'll start with the West:
#1 T-wolves vs. #4 Rockets-
Season series: T-wolves, 4-0, won by an average of about 17 points.
This looks like a no-brainer for the Wolves, but thats why they play the game. Chauncy Billups must outplay his counterparts, the two headed point guard, Gilbert Arenas and Jamaal Tinsley. Billups has to create for his teammates.
Key matchup: Abdur-Rahim vs. K-Mart
While Kirilenko is the leading scorer for Minnesotaand is not K-Marts man, Martin will be the key for Houston, not just against Rahim, but as an inside presence on defense.
Prediction: Wolves in 5
#2 Warriors vs. #3 Clippers
Season series- 2-2, Warriors won the first two, then the Clip's recovered to win the last two convincingly, but not making up for a 57 (THATS FIFTY-SEVEN) point loss in the first matchup between the two.
Can Nowitzki, AI, and Starbury get together and cancel out the great 1-2 punch of Amare Stoudemire and Steve Francis. The Clippers need one of either Wagner or Big Dog to produce more than they have been. The wild-card offensively for the Clippers could be Samuel Dalembert, who averaged 20.5 ppg in the four games agains the Warriors.
Key matchup: Marbury vs. Francis
Which PG can stay out of foul trouble, provide the scoring, create opportunities for their teammates, and most importantly provide defense on the other guy.
Prediction: Clippers in 7 (What did you expect ;D)
The East:
#1 Pistons vs. #4 Hornets
Season Series: 4-0 Pistons, won by an average of about 16 points, with the closest game being 10.
Must like the 1-4 matchup in the west, this appears to be a no-brainer, but you never know. If the Hornets can get another contributor besides Jamison, Davis and Miller, they may have a shot, but who could that be? Biedrins or Podkolzine seem to be the most likely, but can they?
Key matchup: O'Neal vs. Biedrins
In order to have a shot, the Hornets must limit O'neal's contributions. Biedrins is very young, but it's time to show some of that ability.
#3 Bulls vs. #7 Wizards
Season series: 3-1 Wizards
Wizards took 1 of 2 when the Bulls had last years full cast, and took the last two after the changes were made.
In round one the Wizards fell behind 2-0 before sweeping out the Miami Heat, and have a wonderful opportunity to move on past the Bulls to the conference finals. However in a series, you don't think that a team could shut down Kobe, KG, Lebron, Parker and Yao all at the same time?
Key matchup: Melo vs. Lebron
Melo will have to alot more in this series than he did against Miami, and will be challenged to do it by James.
Prediction: Bulls in 6.
#1 T-wolves vs. #4 Rockets-
Season series: T-wolves, 4-0, won by an average of about 17 points.
This looks like a no-brainer for the Wolves, but thats why they play the game. Chauncy Billups must outplay his counterparts, the two headed point guard, Gilbert Arenas and Jamaal Tinsley. Billups has to create for his teammates.
Key matchup: Abdur-Rahim vs. K-Mart
While Kirilenko is the leading scorer for Minnesotaand is not K-Marts man, Martin will be the key for Houston, not just against Rahim, but as an inside presence on defense.
Prediction: Wolves in 5
#2 Warriors vs. #3 Clippers
Season series- 2-2, Warriors won the first two, then the Clip's recovered to win the last two convincingly, but not making up for a 57 (THATS FIFTY-SEVEN) point loss in the first matchup between the two.
Can Nowitzki, AI, and Starbury get together and cancel out the great 1-2 punch of Amare Stoudemire and Steve Francis. The Clippers need one of either Wagner or Big Dog to produce more than they have been. The wild-card offensively for the Clippers could be Samuel Dalembert, who averaged 20.5 ppg in the four games agains the Warriors.
Key matchup: Marbury vs. Francis
Which PG can stay out of foul trouble, provide the scoring, create opportunities for their teammates, and most importantly provide defense on the other guy.
Prediction: Clippers in 7 (What did you expect ;D)
The East:
#1 Pistons vs. #4 Hornets
Season Series: 4-0 Pistons, won by an average of about 16 points, with the closest game being 10.
Must like the 1-4 matchup in the west, this appears to be a no-brainer, but you never know. If the Hornets can get another contributor besides Jamison, Davis and Miller, they may have a shot, but who could that be? Biedrins or Podkolzine seem to be the most likely, but can they?
Key matchup: O'Neal vs. Biedrins
In order to have a shot, the Hornets must limit O'neal's contributions. Biedrins is very young, but it's time to show some of that ability.
#3 Bulls vs. #7 Wizards
Season series: 3-1 Wizards
Wizards took 1 of 2 when the Bulls had last years full cast, and took the last two after the changes were made.
In round one the Wizards fell behind 2-0 before sweeping out the Miami Heat, and have a wonderful opportunity to move on past the Bulls to the conference finals. However in a series, you don't think that a team could shut down Kobe, KG, Lebron, Parker and Yao all at the same time?
Key matchup: Melo vs. Lebron
Melo will have to alot more in this series than he did against Miami, and will be challenged to do it by James.
Prediction: Bulls in 6.