Second Round Preview

Chicago (1) vs Atlanta (5)

The Atlanta Hawks surprised the hell out of me by beating the Orlando Magic in six games, but I don’t think they’re going to surprise the hell out of me twice by giving the Chicago Bulls much trouble… especially without Kirk Hinrich.  Hinrich suffered a “significant” strain of his right hamstring late in ATL’s game six victory over Orlando, and is doubtful to play in the second round.  That leaves the Hawks with second-year player Jeff Teague as their starter, and Jamal Crawford off the bench.  I can tell you right now… I love Jamal Crawford, but if the Hawks try to stick him on D-Rose?  That’s not going to end well. 

Captain Kirk isn’t the only injury note going into this one.  Carlos Boozer is listed as day-to-day with turf toe, but Derrick Rose has recently come out and promised that his boy will be in uniform.  To be honest, Boozer could probably just rest through this entire series and it wouldn’t even matter… I’d still have Chicago in six.  The Bulls beat the Pacers in five, and I think Indiana put up as tough a fight as Atlanta is going to be able to bring.  Even with their victory over Orlando, I don’t have much faith in the Hawks.  The Bulls are legit.  I think they’ll skate to the Eastern Conference Finals.

NBA247365.COM’s Guaransheed: Bulls in six.

Boston (3) vs Miami (2)

The series that we’ve all been waiting for!  Will LeBron James finally be able to make it past the Boston Celtics?  Miami’s 1-3 regular season against them doesn’t indicate that he will, but I think it just might be time.  The Celtics took care of the Knicks rather easily, but the Knicks were all banged up, and their defense is porous, and Boston still struggled to score the ball at times.  Miami has had their share of trouble offensively as well, particularly late in close games, which does concern me a bit.  These games are going to be grind-it-out, low-scoring, defensive battles, so they’re going to have to find a way to make a big shot or two.  All of that being said, I think Boston’s offense is really going to sputter through lengthy stretches of games–that’s kind of how it’s been for them since the trade deadline–and I’m going to say LeBron will step up and take this thing from them.  I’ve been wrong in putting my money on LeBron before (he made me look like a dumbass when he mailed it in with Cleveland last year), so I’m a little hesitent… but I predicted the Heat would win it all before the season started, so I’m going to stick to it.  However, I don’t think round two is going to be any simple task.  I figure whoever takes this does so in seven long, hard games.  Oh, and Dwyane Wade, you’re gonna have to show up, man; 12.8 PPG on 28 percent from the field (his regular season numbers against Boston) isn’t gonna cut it.

NBA247365.COM’s Guaransheed: Miami in seven.

Lakers (2) vs Dallas (3)

“We’re not even worried about them; they’re behind us.” -Jason Terry on the Los Angeles Lakers

Well, well, well… here’s your opportunity to dodge lookin’ like the biggest douche in the L, JET.  Just so you know, if you average like 11 PPG on 37 percent in this series, I am going to make damn sure the world (or at least my readers) know about it! 

I want to write the Mavs off before this thing even starts.  The Lakers are a bigger, better team.  Kobe has a history of torching these guys, and you know the refs aren’t going to let some goon with Abe Lincoln tatted on his neck even lay a finger on him without ramifications.  I can’t write the Mavs off, though, because the Lakers won’t allow me to; you just never know what you’re going to get from these guys.  I predicted that they’d sweep New Orleans–they should’ve–and I ended up lookin’ like I was some kind of Hornet hater.  I’m not gonna say what I feel like the Lakers should do (crunch these pretenders in five), I’m gonna say what I feel they probably will do (beat ‘em in six).  I do look forward to watching Derek Fisher struggle with a 57-year-old Jason Kidd.  Kidd just had a pretty good series against the Blazers, and everyone plays the best ball of their life against the floppy Fish.  Steve Blake and his headband will have to come off the bench and save the day while the media continues to give Fisher props out the ass for his toughness, classiness, and clutchness.  Thank God for providing us with a mute button. 

NBA247365.COM’s Guaransheed: Lakers in six.

Thunder (4) vs Grizzlies (8)

Watch out Oklahoma!  These Grizzlies aren’t to be taken lightly… ask the 61-win Spurs.  Oh, and watch out Memphis!  Those Spurs didn’t have Kevin Durant putting up video game numbers in half of their first round games (41 points twice, 31 once).  I expect this series to be the battle that never happened with Denver in the first round.  I look forward to watching Zach Randolph bully Serge “Swagless” Ibaka in the paint, and I’m excited to watch Tony Allen dog Kevin Durant.  TA did an incredible job on him in the regular season (KD got his numbers, but they didn’t come easy) as Memphis won the season series 3-1.  I think these two teams have brought the most passion to the table thus far… they both want this really bad, and that should make for a spectacle of a series.  I think OKC takes it in the end (having a superstar like Durant is extremely important in the NBA playoffs), but I wouldn’t be surprised either way.  Memphis does have the Thunder out-sized, and size is probably just as important as having a superstar. 

NBA247365.COM’s Guaransheed: Thunder in seven.