skyhookii

Anyone want me to post a preview like I did last year here and here?

skyhookii

Another update:
Chicago 3-1 Indiana
Miami 3-1 Philadelphia
Boston 4-0 New York
Orlando 1-3 Atlanta

San Antonio 1-2 Memphis
Los Angeles 2-2 New Orleans
Dallas 2-2 Portland
Oklahoma City 3-0 Denver

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East Second Round
[1] Chicago Bulls vs [5] Atlanta Hawks
[2] Miami Heat vs [3] Boston Celtics

West Second Round
[2] Los Angeles Lakers vs [3] Dallas Mavericks
[4] Oklahoma City Thunder vs [8] Memphis Grizzlies

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[1] Chicago Bulls vs [5] Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks (surprisingly) made it to the second round to face the Bulls. Unfortunately, both teams have injuries to key players. Boozer (CHI) is suffering from a turf toe and Rose (CHI) is battling a sprained ankle. However, both should be healthy to play, though Boozer might sit out game one. Hinrich (ATL) has a strained hamstring that could keep him out of the series. Offensively, the Bulls are going to keep relying on Derrick Rose and the Hawks don't seem to have an answer for him. Crawford is quick, but not strong enough to counter Rose. Once Rose drives past his defender, the Hawks bigs will have to collapse on Rose to force him to give up the ball. Larry Drew is going to have to play Jason Collins again to defend Noah, moving Horford to play Boozer. This is probably Atlanta's best option if they have any chance of making this a series. Even then, I don't think the Hawks will survive long.

Prediction: Chicago in 5

[2] Miami Heat vs [3] Boston Celtics
This is the series everyone is looking forward to. The Celtics are more experienced, but the Heat are younger and hungrier. Shaq is looking to coming back for the Celtics, giving them more size underneath to block the lane and stop LeBron from driving. Both teams are great defensively, but the key factor in this series is Rajon Rondo. If Rondo plays well, the Celtics are going to win. Mike Bibby cannot guard Rajon Rondo. Erik Spoelstra may have to switch Wade on Rondo and this will tire Wade out very quickly. meaning LeBron will have to carry the load offensively. Garnett is going to dominate Bosh. LeBron can't carry the Heat over the Celtics. Allen, Pierce and Rondo will do most the damage as usual. Nonetheless, this is probably going to be a long and close series.

Prediction: Celtics in 7

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[2] Los Angeles Lakers vs [3] Dallas Mavericks
You can put money on this series to be heated up. Both teams are still edgy after that altercation in their last match up between Jason Terry and Steve Blake. Rumour has it that Caron Butler will be back for the Mavs, which will definitely strengthen them on both ends of the floor. The Lakers' best advantage over any other team in this league is weakened by the presence of Brendan Haywood and Tyson Chandler, both of whom are solid defenders and will be able to box out Andrew Bynum. As usual, Lamar Odom is the X-factor for the Lakers. If he plays well, he can definitely outplay any Dallas big. To stop Kobe Bryant, the Mavs are going to look to switch Shawn Marion on Kobe and putting DeShawn Stevenson on Ron Artest. If Ron can take advantage of that mismatch, the Lakers can win.

Prediction: Lakers in 7

[4] Oklahoma City Thunder vs [8] Memphis Grizzlies
Yes, the Grizzlies put away the Spurs. They used their size (Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph) to do that. But can they do it again against the Thunder? The Grizzlies' inside threat is significantly reduced by the Thunder who have strong post defense in Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka. However, the Thunder's main offensive weapons (Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant) may also be neutralized by Tony Allen and Shane Battier. This series is going to be very interesting to watch with match ups like those. Both teams almost cancel out the other's offensive weapons, meaning the role players will have to step up. The Grizzlies are looking to rely on OJ Mayo and Darrell Arthur for offense and the Thunder will look to James Harden for a spark. This is a tough series for both teams and could last a while. However, I have more confidence in Durant and Westbrook to be able to break out.

Prediction: Thunder in 6