layupdrill
04-16-2009, 01:18 PM
The 2009 NBA Playoff matches are now set, and the preparation for the start of the second season has begun. LayupDrill.com takes a look at each of eight first round series, offering a brief breakdown and prediction for each. I will breakdown the Eastern Conference first round matches today, and the West on Friday.
East:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8. Detroit Pistons
Season Series: Cavs 3-1 over Pistons
Why Cleveland Will Win: They are simply better. This team has waited nearly a year for the march to 16 wins to begin again, and not many feel the veteran Pistons will be able to slow down Lebron and company.
One Burning Question: Will the Cavs sweep Detroit? With a 39-2 record at home, many feel Cleveland will look to win every home game they play in the post season in a dominant fashion. The key to see how far this years team has gone is if they will smell blood in the water when they head back to Detroit, and close out the Pistons in 4.
Prediction: Cavs in 5.
4. Atlanta Hawks vs. 5. Miami Heat
Season Series: Hawks 3-1 over Heat
Why Atlanta Will Win: Depth and experience. The Hawks remember how it felt to walk off the court last season in Boston, after pushing the best team in the league to 7 hard fought games. Those lessons learned have coach Mike Woodson’s team ready for this year. While the Heat have overachieved according to most people’s standards, Dwyane Wade will soon realize that while he is the best player on the court in this series, the best team will be on the other side of the floor.
One Burning Question: Can D-Wade get help? We all expect Wade to go for 30 points a game plus in this series, but who can step up and be that second scorer that can make a big shot when needed in the crunch? Are the young rookies Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers ready for the big lights of the playoffs?
Prediction: Hawks in 7
3. Orlando Magic vs. 6. Philadelphia 76ers
Season Series: Magic 3-0 over Sixers
Why Orlando Will Win: The Magic did not end the regular season on a type of roll you would like to see from a title contender. Philly, meanwhile, lingered around the 6 seed for much of the second half of the season. While both teams look much different than when they hooked up in the start of the year, there is one common denominator, Dwight Howard. The Magic simply have too much firepower on the perimeter, in which the double teams of Howard will cause shooters like Rashard Lewis, Courtney Lee, and J.J. Reddick to torch the Sixers.
One Burning Question: Will the Magic win on the road? Orlando’s 27-14 road mark during the regular season was impressive, and was identical to both the Celtics and Cavs records away from home. The playoffs, though, are different. Ask Boston last year. Orlando should head into Philly up 2-0, and like Cleveland, will we see a Magic team poised to close out the Sixers, or will this series go the distance?
Prediction: Magic in 6
2. Boston Celtics vs. 7. Chicago Bulls
Season Series: Celtics 2-1 over Bulls
Why Boston Will Win: Never underestimate the heart of a champion. The Celtics enter the playoffs much different than the team favored by most last year. With Kevin Garnett hobbled for much of the past 2 months, Boston’s defense has slipped considerably. Nagging injuries from other role players such as Tony Allen and Leon Powe have also made Doc Rivers rotation very thin, but Boston did manage to go 62-20, and lock up the 2 seed.
One Burning Question: How effective will KG be? The Chicago Bulls are probably the worst possible match up for Boston, as their bench is deep, and their players length create match up problems all over the floor. The Derrick Rose vs. Rajon Rondo point guard battle could be great, as Rondo takes the role of the veteran against the rookie making his playoff debut.
Prediction: Celtics in 7
East:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8. Detroit Pistons
Season Series: Cavs 3-1 over Pistons
Why Cleveland Will Win: They are simply better. This team has waited nearly a year for the march to 16 wins to begin again, and not many feel the veteran Pistons will be able to slow down Lebron and company.
One Burning Question: Will the Cavs sweep Detroit? With a 39-2 record at home, many feel Cleveland will look to win every home game they play in the post season in a dominant fashion. The key to see how far this years team has gone is if they will smell blood in the water when they head back to Detroit, and close out the Pistons in 4.
Prediction: Cavs in 5.
4. Atlanta Hawks vs. 5. Miami Heat
Season Series: Hawks 3-1 over Heat
Why Atlanta Will Win: Depth and experience. The Hawks remember how it felt to walk off the court last season in Boston, after pushing the best team in the league to 7 hard fought games. Those lessons learned have coach Mike Woodson’s team ready for this year. While the Heat have overachieved according to most people’s standards, Dwyane Wade will soon realize that while he is the best player on the court in this series, the best team will be on the other side of the floor.
One Burning Question: Can D-Wade get help? We all expect Wade to go for 30 points a game plus in this series, but who can step up and be that second scorer that can make a big shot when needed in the crunch? Are the young rookies Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers ready for the big lights of the playoffs?
Prediction: Hawks in 7
3. Orlando Magic vs. 6. Philadelphia 76ers
Season Series: Magic 3-0 over Sixers
Why Orlando Will Win: The Magic did not end the regular season on a type of roll you would like to see from a title contender. Philly, meanwhile, lingered around the 6 seed for much of the second half of the season. While both teams look much different than when they hooked up in the start of the year, there is one common denominator, Dwight Howard. The Magic simply have too much firepower on the perimeter, in which the double teams of Howard will cause shooters like Rashard Lewis, Courtney Lee, and J.J. Reddick to torch the Sixers.
One Burning Question: Will the Magic win on the road? Orlando’s 27-14 road mark during the regular season was impressive, and was identical to both the Celtics and Cavs records away from home. The playoffs, though, are different. Ask Boston last year. Orlando should head into Philly up 2-0, and like Cleveland, will we see a Magic team poised to close out the Sixers, or will this series go the distance?
Prediction: Magic in 6
2. Boston Celtics vs. 7. Chicago Bulls
Season Series: Celtics 2-1 over Bulls
Why Boston Will Win: Never underestimate the heart of a champion. The Celtics enter the playoffs much different than the team favored by most last year. With Kevin Garnett hobbled for much of the past 2 months, Boston’s defense has slipped considerably. Nagging injuries from other role players such as Tony Allen and Leon Powe have also made Doc Rivers rotation very thin, but Boston did manage to go 62-20, and lock up the 2 seed.
One Burning Question: How effective will KG be? The Chicago Bulls are probably the worst possible match up for Boston, as their bench is deep, and their players length create match up problems all over the floor. The Derrick Rose vs. Rajon Rondo point guard battle could be great, as Rondo takes the role of the veteran against the rookie making his playoff debut.
Prediction: Celtics in 7