** NBA PLAYOFFS OFFICIAL THREAD + PICKS **

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls v Philadelphia 76ers
Chicago should come through this with minimum fuss. They have the best record and will have home court advantage all the way to the Finals should they make it that far, and that despite last seasons MVP Derrick Rose being riddled with injuries throughout the course of the regular season. Philly started well but have steadily declined as the season progressed.
Prediction 4-1 Bulls

Boston Celtics v Atlanta Hawks
Should be very tight between these two. The emergence of Avery Bradley combined with a possible case of it being the old dog for the hard road might just give the edge to the Cs here.
Prediction 4-2 Celtics

Indiana Pacers v Orlando Magic
The Magic have imploded somewhat towards the end of the regular season and will be without their star Dwight Howard for the playoffs. The highflying Pacers can take full advantage here
Prediction 4-2 Pacers

Miami Heat v New York Knicks
Great matchup. Jeremy Lin will be absent but Carmelo Anthony has finally started to get it going in a real way for NY. Expect them to manage a game or even 2 but to be put firmly in their place at the same time by Lebron and co.
Prediction 4-1 Heat

WESTERN CONFERENCE
San Antonio Spurs v Utah Jazz.
The Spurs have been like a wrecking ball this season even when resting star players like Tim Duncan and Tony Parker and that's likely to be the case again here, especially as they seek to atone for being eliminated in the first round last year. The Jazz are just happy to be here. Possible sweep
Prediction 4-0 Spurs

Memphis Grizzlies v LA Clippers
Hard to call. Grizzlies have been on fire lately as Zack Randolph has slowly re-immersed himself after a lengthy injury. They know how to get it done in the playoffs. Injury to Chancrey Billups has robbed the Clippers of a legitimate shot at making the Finals. Expect fireworks from Blake Griffen and Chris Paul but it could be a year too soon for the Clippers.
Prediction 4-3 Grizzlies

LA Lakers v Denver Nuggets
Should be a routine victory here for Kobe and co. Lakers have mixed the good,bad and the very ugly this season but are a class above the Nuggets
Prediction 4-1 Lakers

Oklahoma Thunder v Dallas Mavericks
OKCs reward for coming 2nd in the Western Conference is a matchup against the defending champions Dallas. Mavs have been eyeing the playoffs from a good bit off but they are quite simlpy a shadow of the team that handed it to the Heat in last years Finals. Thunders tranjectory is most definitly upwards and Kevin Durant and Russell Westbook can have their way with the Mavs here.
Prediction 4-1 Thunder

Happy punting all

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls(WIN) v Philadelphia 76ers


Boston Celtics(WIN) v Atlanta Hawks


Indiana Pacers v Orlando Magic(WIN)


Miami Heat-aka-wan kers(WIN) v New York Knicks


WESTERN CONFERENCE
San Antonio Spurs(WIN) v Utah Jazz.


Memphis Grizzlies v LA Clippers(WIN)


LA Lakers(WIN) v Denver Nuggets


Oklahoma Thunder(WIN) v Dallas Mavericks

Eastern Conference Winner LUMP ON BOSTON AT 10/1
Western Conference Winner lUMP ON SPURS AT 2/1

CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER STEAM INTO THE SPURS AT 11/2

San Antonio should be second favs for the whole thing. On form they are playing the best ball, best coach aswell imo. Parker immense, Ginobili is making my jaw drop on some of the highlights. Huge value at 6.4 imo.

Magic are a bunch of clowns even with Howard, so without him have no chance. might get one game if they get hot from 3

shd be out of the playoffs purely on the fact that they lost to the FLOPCATS after holding a 20 over pts lead?

By: aaronh
Date Joined: 18 Sep 09 Add contact | Send message
When: 28 Apr 12 12:23 Joined: Date Joined: 18 Sep 09 | Topic/replies: 34,801 | Blogger: aaronh's blog

Indiana Pacers v Orlando Magic(WIN)

i seem to remember you saying a similar thing when i tipped up the Dallas Mavs last year aaronh

Why are the Thunder shorter than the Spurs?  Can't see a single reason why they are a better team, and Spurs have the homecourt.  Shame there isn't more liquidity.

Knicks will be the only team to upset in the 1st round (although I wouldn't be too surprised to see the 4/1 mavs upset the thunder).

i still see things that miami are doing that will be their downfall in the latter rounds

woodson's doing a poor job with lineups. Why play anthony AND stoudemire the entire 1st quarter with NO shooters on the floor, and then start the 2nd with NEITHER on the floor and a bunch of shooters (with no playmaker)? ...now he brings in anthony

anthony is 0/7 and they're down just 1

miami really looking poor even though they winning thanks to the free throw line

PLAYOFF BASKETBALL BABY ........... LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOO !!! ( no bet but love it )

what in the world is new york doing lol they look like bobcats right now

yeah its stupid espn show like 2 games a week max..

it gets better now that its play offs razz,starting monday at 12am there is a back to back games with NY v Miami then OLK v dallas then there is pretty much a game every night from then till the end including plenty more double bills

really? that sounds good, aren't the play off games all earlier starts as well?

Joey Tribbiani seen at the Knicks game courtside in tears They look awful tonight..Still think Heat will come up short in the Championship though..Spurs, OKC or The Pacers at a massive price for me.

i think they have a cake walk to the finals if rose it done

2 games two bad knee injuries