Official NBA playoffs thread

[drothgery]

... because ENWorld hasn't had a good sports thread since the NCAA tournament ended.

Notes from today

Miami vs. Washington; Miami won series 4-0

Really, only the Heat and Pistons (and the Pacers, if healthy and no one's suspended) would do any better than challenge for the #8 spot in the West. And if the Pacers and Pistons keep up what they're doing, Shaq won't have to play much as Miami sleep-walks to the finals.

Detroit vs. Indiana; Indiana leads series 2-1

Based on available talent, Detroit should've been able to win this series in four or five games.
But they're playing ugly basketball, and Indiana's winning games. Figure on Indiana in 6.

Phoenix vs. Dallas; Phoenix leads series 2-1

Mavs have to try and run with Suns, as they've got no other choice. But no one can run with the Suns consistently, and I like Phoenix to win the whole thing. Phoenix in 5.

San Antonio vs. Seattle; San Antonio leads series 2-1

Nash deserved his MVP, but Duncan's still the best player in the game today. I have no idea how Seattle managed to pull out a game, when they've got serious matchup issues vs. the Spurs. San Antonio in 5.

 

[Jdvn1]

The Houston-Dallas series broke my heart. :\

 

[Jdvn1]

As a native of Houston...

I dont' think Dallas is going too far anyway.

Not that I think Houston had much of a chance either.

 

[Jdvn1]

As a native of Dallas...

I don't think you know what you're talking about.

Note my edit.

I have lots of friends in Dallas, so you guys don't phase me. When was the last time you guys won a championship, anyway?

 

[drothgery]

As a native of Dallas...

I don't think you know what you're talking about.

As a native of Cleveland (and a Kings fan, mostly because they're fun to watch and I didn't care about the Cavs anymore, and they're a west coast, non-LA team; somewhere in my wanderings from Ohio to Wisconsin to upstate NY to Massachusetts for college back to upstate NY and then out west, I lost any affection for the Cavs and Browns, but still like the Indians)...

The Mavs aren't getting past the Suns, because they can't stop Nash and Amare, and even if they did, they'd only run into the Spurs and go out then.

 

[Jdvn1]

I have.


I wasn't trying to phase you.

No, I know. But I defy all things Dallas!

For no good reason.

 

[Crothian]

NBA playoffs reminds I miss the NHL Playoffs. NBA needs to have fewer road days or have best of 5 series or something so it doesn't last so long.

 

[Campbell]

It looks like my Pistons came to play today. I love my team, but they allways seem to make things hard on themselves. Rasheed delivers on another guarantee.

 

[drothgery]

Well the Mavs tie it up (2-2).

... but still lost (4-2).

I was wrong about the Pacers, mostly because the Pistons are so good at making themselves look like they're going to get beat. Phoenix and San Antonio both took a game longer than I thought they would when I started this thread to close the series out, and in truth I only said in 5 because both had already lost a game at that point; I wouldn't have been surprised by sweeps in either case.

So on to the next round...

Miami vs. Detroit

If I were to wish for an outcome here, it's for Miami to win this series without much help from Shaq, and in the matter help finally end the era of ugly basketball. With Wade as the first option, the Heat are capable of playing fun to watch, up-tempo ball; with Shaq as the primary option, they have to play a slower-paced game. The Pistons are young and athletic enough to run, but won't actually do it.

Miami in 6.

Phoenix vs. San Antonio

People have been saying all year long that the Suns can't beat the Spurs in the playoffs. And they're wrong. Especially with Duncan at less than 100%, the Suns are quite capable of running the Spurs into the ground, just like they do to everyone else; if a badly depleted Seattle team can manage it, then certainly Phoenix can.

Phoenix in 6.