(2) Nuggets Vs. (6) Mavericks

[Lamrock]

First conference semifinal (basically) locked up. Who do you think will win this? Due to homecourt advantage and their 4-0 season series win this season, I see Denver taking this in 5 games.

[Oakrhum]

It would be Pistons/Hawks if Denver still had Iverson

Denver in 6. But there largest lead for any win would not be as high as 58.

[deihatein]

If the Mavs can get a win in Denver then they have a chance. I am still rooting for the mavs, even though they are the clear underdogs in this series.

[jonthefon]

Let's not forget a few things. That season series reads 4-0, but three games were decided by 3 or less. One game, JR Smith gets away with taking a swing that should've been called a flagrant and Billups draws a foul with two seconds left where he kicks into Terry (according to rules, an offensive foul) and makes the gamewinning FTs. The second game in Dallas, if Dirk hits that open jumper at the end, the Mavs win. He just missed, Kobe does that too. Josh Howard missed a couple of those close shaves. Both teams are equally mediocre on D and won't be getting stops unless the other gives it to them from stupid turnovers and bad shots. Kidd won't get run around by Billups unlike what Parker did. Nobody can guard Nene for the Mavs, but nobody can really guard Dirk for the Nuggets either.

The Mavs haven't looked like losing in the AAC since the All-Star break. Their only loss there was the Nuggets game, which I'm fine with explaining away. If they take one of the first two in Denver, they've got a good chance. If they go back to Dallas down 2-0, I'm not very sure though.

The summary? This series will be closer than most think. The winner's still only going to get the honour of losing to the Lakers in the WCF though (Go Portland/Houston?)

[NovU]

"It would be Hornets/Mavs if Denver still had Iverson" This has 2 votes. Lulz.

I hope to see Nuggers VS Lakers. Both are deep in bench and plays great team basketball. So my pick would be Nuggers over Marvericks in 6.

[Andrew]

I'll go with the Nuggets in six as well. The 4-0 regular season record suggests it may be more lopsided but I'll give the Mavericks more credit than that, perhaps getting the split in Denver to begin the series and then taking one at home before the Nuggets ultimately break the 2-2 tie and take the series with Games 5 and 6.

[diddy]

nuggets in 5, let's go crazy :) i love denver's basketball this season, and this is the team i cheer for at west! Dallas deserves the win too, but if i should choose, i'd go with Denver for real!

[JaoSming]

Nuggets in 5 senor

they be hot

[Dan's Brain]

Nugs in 5 as well. San Antonio would have matched up better, and would have been able to put a dent in the Nuggets' scoring. But I'll move on. The Mavs have no answer for Denver's backcourt, all they can hope for is that they could outscore them, which they can't. So, once again, Denver in a relatively simple 5 games.

Player of the series: Chauncey Billups. Will destroy the Mavericks slow and pissweak backcourt, and probably average 20-10 for the series.

[Fcuk Orlando]

AHHH YOU BEAT ME!!
The sum of all the leads Denver had over Dallas in the season is 7 and those games were WITHOUT Josh Howard and we all saw how he was playing against the Spurs. My inner bias says Dallas in 7

[kibaxx7]

I go with Nuggets in 6 too. Rooting for a Nuggs-Lakers WCF Finals.

[Scotty]

Both teams are equally mediocre on D

Actually Denver are no longer mediocre on D. Chauncey Billups brought his defensive mentality over and the players bought into it. As the season progressed they got better and better to the point where they crushed the Hornets in the playoffs, not just offensively, but defensively too. We were 4th in Opponents defensive FG% behind the Cavs, Magic and Celts... And we were i think 2nd in opponents TO's. Both are a great indication of team %. Also Andersen was the 2nd leading shot blocker in just over 20 mins a game...

Anyway my pick is Nuggets in 6.

[jonthefon]

Nearly 101 points a game? No matter how many turnovers forced or FG% lowered, that's still a lot of points to give up and the Mavs will fancy themselves scoring every time they head down the floor. The only way they'll be able to guard Dirk is by throwing aggressive double teams at him, but Josh Howard's been great so far (watch the ankle though) and Denver doesn't have a shutdown defender on Terry like the Spurs did. The Mavs will just be doubting their defence...a lot.

I see both teams scoring 100 points in every game of the series.

[Scotty]

Dahntay Jones is a shutdown defender. Crushed Chris Paul into the ground...

[Oakrhum]

It's all about Kidd and Billups.

[ibelieve]

denver should win against the mavs and reach the second round but i think after that it will be over

[Scotty]

^They're already in the 2nd round...

[Modifly]

denver should win against the mavs and reach the second round but i think after that it will be over

^They're already in the 2nd round...

Pete you're out of date.

[T-Time3]

@ Peter lustig.. no offense bro..
i really really hope Denver takedown the Mavs.. screw Mavs..
so, Nuggets in 5

[Martti.]

I go with Nuggets in 6 too. Rooting for a Nuggs-Lakers WCF Finals.

[hova-]

Seems like Nuggets win the 1st game. 84-101 with 5 minutes left. Mavs struggle with turnovers. Kidd is throwing away so many passes .. thats horrible. Its not like the Nuggs defense isnt good enough anyway .. the Mavs also give their best to lose the ball ......

[Drex]

Nuggets in 6. Mavs can't stop Chauncey.

[Andrew]

Despite the double digit loss, I still don't see the Mavs getting swept at this juncture. The second quarter put them in a hole but I believe they can be more competitive from start to finish, good enough for at least one win and most two as I originally predicted.

[Oakrhum]

The Nuggets are getting more and more dangerous. A Carmelo-LeBron battle in the finals is not that disappointing (I speak to soon) but it would definitely be boring. Go Lakers, beat Houston and then fuck the Nuggets up.

[Lamrock]

LA will fuck the Nuggets up.