2011 NBA Playoff first-round Predictions (odds)
The 2011 NBA playoffs have several teams in both conferences that feel like this is their year. The Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Orlando Magic are all confident of winning the Eastern Conference, while the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are set to make deep runs in the West.The playoffs have many intriguing story lines, more so than any year in a long time.
Will LeBron James finally be able to carry his team to NBA Finals glory? Can the Lakers win a third consecutive title? Will the Oklahoma City Thunder become the league's next dynasty? Before we get the answers to these questions, the first round must be played.
Memphis Will Upset San Antonio (7 games)
You read the title of the slide right. The Memphis Grizzlies can and will upset the Western conference's best team, the San Antonio Spurs.The Grizzlies have plenty of scoring, and also have bulk in the middle with center Marc Gasol and forward Zach Randolph.They also have solid defenders in Shane Battier and Tony Allen.
Memphis also has some guys with playoff experience. Leon Powe and Tony Allen both have won the NBA Finals with Boston, and Shane Battier has seen many playoff series in his career.The Spurs will find it difficult to cope with the young and athletic Grizzlies who believe it's their time to shine.
Laker beat hornets (in 6 games)
Chris Paul will destroy and Lakers guard who defends him. Los Angeles simply doesn't have a point guard to contain Paul, who will score at will.Paul has several capable teammates such as David West and Emeka Okafor who will help him and the Hornets take two games from the Lakers in the opening round.
Portland will beat Dallas Mavericks (in 6 games)
The Dallas Mavericks have playoff experience, but are just overmatched against the Portland Trailblazers.Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki rarely shows up in the playoffs, and will find it difficult to defend LaMarcus Aldridge of Portland, one of the league's most underrated players.Gerald Wallace has given the Blazers some much needed defense and timely scoring since he arrived from Charlotte via trade earlier in the year, and will be a difficult matchup for Dallas.Dallas has been eliminated in the first round three of the last four years. Portland will make that four of the last five this season.
Indiana Pacers Will Beat Chicago Bulls (6 games)
The Pacers are on the most improved teams in the NBA, and are led by their own superstar, Danny Granger. Granger is one of the NBA's better all around players, but is also one of the most underrated players.
Joe Johnson Will Help the Atlanta Hawks Beat the Orlando Magic (6 games)
Joe Johnson is paid like a top NBA player, and his stats are quite good, yet he often disappears in the postseason and fails to help his team go deep into the playoffs.
However, this year will be different. After being destroyed by the Magic last postseason, the Hawks will beat Orlando this year.
The 2011 NBA playoffs have several teams in both conferences that feel like this is their year. The Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Orlando Magic are all confident of winning the Eastern Conference, while the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are set to make deep runs in the West.The playoffs have many intriguing story lines, more so than any year in a long time.
Will LeBron James finally be able to carry his team to NBA Finals glory? Can the Lakers win a third consecutive title? Will the Oklahoma City Thunder become the league's next dynasty? Before we get the answers to these questions, the first round must be played.
Memphis Will Upset San Antonio (7 games)
You read the title of the slide right. The Memphis Grizzlies can and will upset the Western conference's best team, the San Antonio Spurs.The Grizzlies have plenty of scoring, and also have bulk in the middle with center Marc Gasol and forward Zach Randolph.They also have solid defenders in Shane Battier and Tony Allen.
Memphis also has some guys with playoff experience. Leon Powe and Tony Allen both have won the NBA Finals with Boston, and Shane Battier has seen many playoff series in his career.The Spurs will find it difficult to cope with the young and athletic Grizzlies who believe it's their time to shine.
Laker beat hornets (in 6 games)
Chris Paul will destroy and Lakers guard who defends him. Los Angeles simply doesn't have a point guard to contain Paul, who will score at will.Paul has several capable teammates such as David West and Emeka Okafor who will help him and the Hornets take two games from the Lakers in the opening round.
Portland will beat Dallas Mavericks (in 6 games)
The Dallas Mavericks have playoff experience, but are just overmatched against the Portland Trailblazers.Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki rarely shows up in the playoffs, and will find it difficult to defend LaMarcus Aldridge of Portland, one of the league's most underrated players.Gerald Wallace has given the Blazers some much needed defense and timely scoring since he arrived from Charlotte via trade earlier in the year, and will be a difficult matchup for Dallas.Dallas has been eliminated in the first round three of the last four years. Portland will make that four of the last five this season.
Indiana Pacers Will Beat Chicago Bulls (6 games)
The Pacers are on the most improved teams in the NBA, and are led by their own superstar, Danny Granger. Granger is one of the NBA's better all around players, but is also one of the most underrated players.
Joe Johnson Will Help the Atlanta Hawks Beat the Orlando Magic (6 games)
Joe Johnson is paid like a top NBA player, and his stats are quite good, yet he often disappears in the postseason and fails to help his team go deep into the playoffs.
However, this year will be different. After being destroyed by the Magic last postseason, the Hawks will beat Orlando this year.
