#1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #8 Sacramento Kings:
The Kings have become a lot more dangerous now that they have two of the Pacers' best players instead of one, heh, and they would probably have a very good shot against most teams in the playoffs... but the Spurs are the defending champions and they've been down this road before.
It'll be a competitive series, though. My pick is,
Spurs in 6.#2 Phoenix Suns vs. #7 Los Angeles Lakers
Surprising to see the Suns still managed to make it to the second seed despite not having Amare for little more than a cup of coffee this year. I think it's because the Suns are a very good
team, whereas the Lakers, we all know, are Kobe Bryant and 11 Guys Who Suck. And of course, I blame Kobe for that.
Suns win in 5, 6 tops, and Kobe goes back to whatever it is he does in the offseason.
#3 Denver Nuggets vs. #6 Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers will have home-court advantage in this series despite the fact that they're playing the Northwest Division Champions. Hell, the Nuggets have the same record as the number
eight- seeded Sacramento Kings, and yet they get to raise a division championship banner in their rafters!
This year's Northwest Division was very much like this year's (and last year's) Atlantic Division-- you win by being less sucky than everybody else.
Anyhoo, the Clippers won't even supposed to get anywhere near the playoffs this year, because they're, y'know, the Clippers, but they're a confident group of kids who'll be doing their best to eliminate all the Clippers jokes from the face of the universe. (That way, we'll have no choice but to pick on the Warriors or Blazers from now on).
Clippers in 7, as the critical Game-7-at-home advantage goes their way.
#4 Dallas Mavericks vs. #5 Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are a very young and talented team, but the Mavericks have been rejuvenated this year and the Grizzlies don't really have much of a chance.
The Griz might steal one away, but that'll be all they get, as my prediction is
Mavericks in 5.So, my theoretical second-round matchups are:
#1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #4 Dallas Mavericks
#2 Phoenix Suns vs. #6 Los Angeles Clippers
16 Wins to Go. One Team, One Goal.
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