Here is my prediction together with ESPN experts predictions also. :)
East:
My Pick
Anthony
Hollinger
Sheridan
Stein
Pistons - Magic: 4 - 0
4 - 0
4 - 1
4 - 1
4 - 1
4 - 0
Heat - Bulls: 0 - 4
4 - 3
4 - 2
2 - 4
4 - 3
4 - 2
Raptors - Nets: 2 - 4
4 - 3
2 - 4
4 - 2
3 - 4
2 - 4
Cavs - Wizards: 4 - 0
4 - 0
4 - 1
4 - 0
4 - 0
4 - 0
10
11
11
11
15
West:
My Pick
Anthony
Hollinger
Sheridan
Stein
Mavs - Warriors: 2 - 4
4 - 2
4 - 2
4 - 2
4 - 2
4 - 1
Rockets - Jazz: 3 - 4
4 - 3
4 - 2
4 - 1
4 - 2
4 - 2
Spurs - Nuggets: 4 - 1
4 - 2
4 - 2
4 - 1
4 - 2
4 - 2
Suns - Lakers: 4 - 1
4 - 1
4 - 2
4 - 1
4 - 1
4 - 1
8
6
10
8
8
Check out ESPN.com Marc Stein
Playoff Preview.
April 22, 2 stunners! None bigger than Warriors taking the 1st game at Dallas 97 - 85! This is hard to fathom! Warriors is the worst defending team among the 16 playoff teams, conceding over 106 points per game in the regular season! MVP candidate Dirk got hounded into shooting 4 of 16! 8-O
Some key observations from Kiki Vandeweghe:
What's one way the Warriors successfully defend Dirk Nowitzki, who shot 4-for-16 from the field?
Kiki Vandeweghe: A Don Nelson defensive strategy. Dirk likes to take one dribble, go right or left and then spin back. If you watch, there's often a player running at him, trying to steal on the spin. There were a few fouls, but trying to disrupt Dirk like that shows how well Nellie knows these players.
What do you think about Dallas choosing to bench Erick Dampier and start quicker, smaller Devean George?
KV: You can't let yourself get taken out of your game, and the Mavs had that happen. You have to play your game, and play your players.
April 23, The Rockets overcomed a 41-point performance from Carlos Boozer and their own poor shooting (36.1 percent) to take a 2-0 lead.
Ugly win counts for moreApril 26, No western playoff teams will make a sweep as both Lakers and Jazz won their first game at home. The Rockets suffered an embarrassing loss making a franchise low playoff record of 67 points in which their bench contributed 0 point! 8-O
Rockets fail to step up in Game 3 by John P. Lopez.
SALT LAKE CITY — When it was time for a substitute, Jeff Van Gundy could have turned to his right and the guys in suits drinking beer.
The production would have been about the same as all those times Van Gundy turned to his left, to the fellas in uniform swallowing pride. Thus far, the Rockets' bench is 0-fer Utah.
When it was time for Tracy McGrady or Yao Ming to step up, they fell down.
McGrady started fast, knocking down six of seven shots, and then faded into playoff oblivion. Yao started slow and never found a rhythm.
When it was time to attack, everyone in Rockets red retreated, settling for fadeaway jump shots, awkward angles and impossible prayers.
:)
April 27, Defending Champion Miami Heat lost a must-win game at home to trail by 0 to 3, a deficit that no NBA team had ever come back from in NBA history! Heat led by 12 points in the third quarter but misfired on 19 of their 35 free-throw attempts and were outscored 32-17 over the final 11½ minutes. Wade was 4-for-10 from the foul line and O'Neal was 3-for-12.
Wade should have shot better from the line unless his injured shoulder has a big influence. This shows how important it is to shoot well from the line.
Defending Western conference Champion Dallas also lost big to Warriors to trail by 1 to 2. Maybe, the warriors do match up well against Mavericks! 8-O
April 29, Miami Heat ousted by Bulls without winning a single game! The first close game between Warriors and Dallas goes to Warriors and Warriors only need 1 more win to advance! Maybe, the best team in NBA this year, Dallas will soon join Heat. Quite unbelievable! 8-O