Playoff Seedings Set: Western conference
Lakers vs Nuggets- This one is going to be very interesting. The Lakers won’t sweep the Nuggets away and the Nuggets have the fire power to make it tough. Any team that has Carmelo and AI can do some damage. Outside of those two is where this team struggles. They have Camby inside and Kenyon Martin and they are decent and all but this team needs help on defense. I see the Lakers in 6 games with most of the games being in the high 110’s and 120’s. Denver wants to run run run and put up some shots but the Lakers are #1 in the West for a reason.
Hornets vs Mavs- This series looks to be very tough for the Hornets who missed the top seed by a couple games. But is there an easy series in the West? I think the Hornets are going to be in for playoff shock and are in for more of a fight than they think. Dallas is out to prove that last year was a fluke and have had many close calls. Nowitzki is finally healthy again and the team is playing well and coming off a win against New Orleans last night. The Mavs will have to stop Chris Paul and David West and not let Peja go off. If Peja is hitting and the Hornets cruise at home then this one is over. I see it going the full 7 with the Hornets winning at home.
Jazz vs Rockets- The Jazz and Rockets are obligated to play every year in the playoffs and Tracy McGrady is obligated to exit in the first round. This one won’t be any different. The Jazz play well against Houston typically and with Yao Ming out that won’t change. I expect this one to go 6 games with the Jazz winning an early road game and closing it out at home. Williams and Boozer will be too much for Houston who are playing without Ming and Rafer Alston (2 games with injury)
Phoenix vs San Antonio- This is a first round contest and it truly isn’t fair. These teams played a crazy series last year that could’ve gone either way. This will be no different. We will see the best of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu and Phoenix is anxious to see how Shaq will do in the playoffs. It is interesting that the Suns got Shaq for the Spurs and they play early on. Nash and Stoudemire will have to play well in the half court and O’Neal needs to show some youth. Sorry Suns but the Spurs win out in 6 games.
