duncan228
04-17-2009, 09:25 PM
Western Conference playoff preview (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Western_Conference_playoff_preview.html)
Mike Monroe - Express-News
Express-News NBA beat writer Mike Monroe breaks down the Western and Eastern Conference first-round series matchups.
(1) Lakers (65-17) vs. (8) Jazz (48-34)
Season series: Lakers won 2-1.
Key matchup: Carlos Boozer vs. Pau Gasol — Boozer has to be his former All-Star self on offense and put pressure on Gasol at both ends of the floor, with the sort of physical defense of which he is capable for the Jazz to have any shot.
Lakers can win if: Kobe Bryant involves all his teammates in the offense, and Derek Fisher can stay in front of Deron Williams at least part of the time. Bryant can score whenever he wants, but he’s better when he’s creating.
Jazz can win if: Well, they can’t, but their only hope is for Williams to put so much pressure on the Lakers’ defense that Phil Jackson has to make Bryant chase him around all night. If Williams can wear Bryant out a bit, the Jazz might be able to steal one game, maybe even two.
Prediction: Lakers in 4
* * *
(2) Nuggets (54-28) vs. (7) Hornets (49-33)
Season series: Tied 2-2.
Key matchup: Chauncey Billups vs. Chris Paul — This is the best individual matchup of the first round, two All-Stars whose teams rely on them to set the tone at both ends of the floor. Billups will try to muscle up on Paul and knock him around. Paul will try to make a 32-year-old with a tattoo reading “King of the Hill” look like he’s over the hill.
Nuggets can win if: Kenyon Martin is healthy enough to make things difficult for David West to get off his fadeaway jumper and Chris Andersen can disrupt all those lob passes from Paul to Tyson Chandler.
Hornets can win if: Peja Stojakovic and Rasual Butler go crazy from the 3-point line and Paul plays like he’s the real MVP.
Prediction: Nuggets in 7
* * *
(4) Trail Blazers (54-28) vs. (5) Rockets (53-29)
Season series: Rockets won 2-1.
Key matchup: Joel Przybilla vs. Yao Ming — If Przybilla, one of the league’s most rugged interior defenders, can keep Yao off his sweet spots and the boards, the Blazers can make it tough for the Rockets to run their offense through him. If Yao is hitting his mid-range shots, he will take Portland’s best rebounder away from the glass.
Blazers can win if: Steve Blake can make Aaron Brooks look like an undersized, inexperienced point guard not ready for the playoffs.
Rockets can win if: Ron Artest can make life so miserable for Brandon Roy that LaMarcus Aldridge has to carry too much of the offensive burden for the Blazers.
Prediction: Blazers in 7
Mike Monroe - Express-News
Express-News NBA beat writer Mike Monroe breaks down the Western and Eastern Conference first-round series matchups.
(1) Lakers (65-17) vs. (8) Jazz (48-34)
Season series: Lakers won 2-1.
Key matchup: Carlos Boozer vs. Pau Gasol — Boozer has to be his former All-Star self on offense and put pressure on Gasol at both ends of the floor, with the sort of physical defense of which he is capable for the Jazz to have any shot.
Lakers can win if: Kobe Bryant involves all his teammates in the offense, and Derek Fisher can stay in front of Deron Williams at least part of the time. Bryant can score whenever he wants, but he’s better when he’s creating.
Jazz can win if: Well, they can’t, but their only hope is for Williams to put so much pressure on the Lakers’ defense that Phil Jackson has to make Bryant chase him around all night. If Williams can wear Bryant out a bit, the Jazz might be able to steal one game, maybe even two.
Prediction: Lakers in 4
* * *
(2) Nuggets (54-28) vs. (7) Hornets (49-33)
Season series: Tied 2-2.
Key matchup: Chauncey Billups vs. Chris Paul — This is the best individual matchup of the first round, two All-Stars whose teams rely on them to set the tone at both ends of the floor. Billups will try to muscle up on Paul and knock him around. Paul will try to make a 32-year-old with a tattoo reading “King of the Hill” look like he’s over the hill.
Nuggets can win if: Kenyon Martin is healthy enough to make things difficult for David West to get off his fadeaway jumper and Chris Andersen can disrupt all those lob passes from Paul to Tyson Chandler.
Hornets can win if: Peja Stojakovic and Rasual Butler go crazy from the 3-point line and Paul plays like he’s the real MVP.
Prediction: Nuggets in 7
* * *
(4) Trail Blazers (54-28) vs. (5) Rockets (53-29)
Season series: Rockets won 2-1.
Key matchup: Joel Przybilla vs. Yao Ming — If Przybilla, one of the league’s most rugged interior defenders, can keep Yao off his sweet spots and the boards, the Blazers can make it tough for the Rockets to run their offense through him. If Yao is hitting his mid-range shots, he will take Portland’s best rebounder away from the glass.
Blazers can win if: Steve Blake can make Aaron Brooks look like an undersized, inexperienced point guard not ready for the playoffs.
Rockets can win if: Ron Artest can make life so miserable for Brandon Roy that LaMarcus Aldridge has to carry too much of the offensive burden for the Blazers.
Prediction: Blazers in 7