(63-19) First Round Wraps Up [4-0]

Wow, Indiana is actually playing hard. Keep doing it!xD

Let's Go Bulls!!!

Nobody else sweeped? Damn, disappointed.

yea yea...quit rubbing it in!

Was not rubbing it in. Its just awesome if anybody else gets sweeped.

GO INDIANA

Wow, Indiana is actually playing hard. Keep doing it!xD

Yeah, that they are. They've really brought it to the Heat.

LeBron already starting to disappear.

Wade's doin' all the work.

George7, thanks! Where's KJ?

sorry i've been out the past few days...

trying to plan revenge on the evil that is Kyle Lawry


hahah jk

Lowry was just playing good ol' playoff basketball! Maybe EG is too soft to be guarded by him?

And thanks again for showing me Ulead, forgot to give you props on that one.

No problem man Just send any questions via PM / MSN..

Added you on MSN.

Nobody else sweeped? Damn, disappointed.

yea yea...quit rubbing it in!

Was not rubbing it in. Its just awesome if anybody else gets sweeped.

Well, that just means we're better than everyone else.

Let's Go Bulls!!!

I really can't believe how much of a fight the Knicks are putting up. Thib's defense is not working against them.

So the conclusion of the other series is next, and then I'll start with the season awards as this progresses.

Around the League: Game Fives

Eastern Conference

@
Game Five: BOS wins 98-86; BOS wins series 4-1
21 8 25 32 86
32 11 24 31 98

Key Performers:
Celtics:
Rajon Rondo - 21 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 8/10 FG
Kevin Garnett - 18 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 4/11 FG, 10/12 FT
Paul Pierce - 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 2/8 FG, 11/11 FT
Jeff Green - 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 3/7 FG, 7/8 FT

Bobcats:
Stephen Jackson - 31 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 10/25 FG, 3/10 3P, 8/9 FT
DJ Augustin - 24 points, 5 assists, 1 rebound, 8/14 FG, 4/6 3P
Tyrus Thomas - 17 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 5/13 FG

@
Game Five: ORL wins 96-75; ORL wins series 4-1
17 14 26 18 75
26 22 26 22 96

Key Performers:
Magic:
Dwight Howard - 27 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 9/13 FG, 9/11 FT
Brandon Bass - 22 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 6/13 FG, 10/10 FT
Ryan Anderson - 15 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 3/3 FG, 8/8 FT
Hedo Turkoglu - 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 5/10 FG

Hawks:
Josh Smith - 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, 6/12 FG
Al Horford - 18 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks, 5/12 FG
Jamal Crawford - 16 points, 1 rebound, 2 blocks, 2/10 FG, 12/14 FT
Joe Johnson - 10 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 4/12 FG

@
Game Five: NYK wins 128-101; NYK leads series 3-2
32 23 36 37 128
17 29 28 27 101

Key Performers:
Bulls:
Derrick Rose - 44 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 17/25 FG, 8/12 FT
Carlos Boozer - 14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4/10 FG
Luol Deng - 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 3/8 FG, 6/8 FT
Joakim Noah - 8 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block, 3/8 FG

Knicks:
Carmelo Anthony - 48 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 17/20 FG, 13/14 FT
Amar'e Stoudemire - 25 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 9/11 FG, 7/10 FT
Chauncey Billups - 16 points, 11 assists, 1 steal, 5/13 FG, 2/5 3P

@
Game Five: IND wins 125-118; IND leads series 3-2
30 25 29 28 13 125
31 20 32 29 6 118

Key Performers:
Heat:
Dwyane Wade - 33 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks, 11/21 FG, 10/12 FT
LeBron James - 26 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 7/17 FG, 4/9 3P, 8/8 FT
Chris Bosh - 17 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 5/13 FG, 7/10 FT
Zydrunas Ilgauskas - 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block, 4/8 FG, 5/6 FT

Pacers:
Danny Granger - 25 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks, 9/15 FG, 3/5 3P, 4/5 FT
Roy Hibbert - 24 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 6/10 FG, 12/16 FT
Darren Collison - 23 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 9/16 FG
TJ Ford - 16 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 6/9 FG

Western Conference

@
Game Five: LAL wins 100-97; SAS leads series 3-2
20 16 30 31 97
19 26 32 23 100

Key Performers:
Lakers:
Pau Gasol - 30 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, 10/14 FG, 10/11 FT
Kobe Bryant - 20 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, 6/13 FG, 6/6 FT
Andrew Bynum - 17 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 6/9 FG

Spurs:
Tony Parker - 31 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 block, 8/16 FG, 14/17 FT
Manu Ginobili - 29 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 9/17 FG, 4/8 3P, 7/8 FT
DeJuan Blair - 12 points, 11 rebounds, 5/8 FG

@
Game Five: DAL wins 111-87; DAL wins series 4-1
24 26 25 12 87
27 25 25 34 111

Key Performers:
Mavericks:
Dirk Nowitzki - 23 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 9/13 FG
Caron Butler - 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 7/14 FG
Jason Kidd - 18 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 6/8 FG, 4/5 3P
Jason Terry - 17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 6/11 FG

Jazz:
Devin Harris - 21 points, 6 assists, 1 rebound, 7/13 FG, 6/8 FT
Paul Millsap - 17 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 7/15 FG
Al Jefferson - 16 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block, 6/15 FG
Andrei Kirilenko - 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 2/4 FG, 7/11 FT

@
Game Five: OKC wins 102-98; OKC wins series 4-1
28 26 23 21 98
22 27 19 34 102

Key Performers:
Thunder:
Kevin Durant - 24 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 blocks, 9/11 FG
Russell Westbrook - 24 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 7/15 FG, 9/11 FT
James Harden - 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 5/9 FG, 2/6 3P

Nuggets:
Ty Lawson - 19 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 4 steals, 7/11 FG
Arron Afflalo - 17 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, 7/15 FG, 3/6 3P
Raymond Felton - 17 points, 11 assists, 1 steal, 5/13 FG, 6/6 FT

Around the League: Game Sixes, Game Seven

Eastern Conference

@
Game Six: NYK wins 109-90; NYK wins series 4-2
27 19 18 26 90
26 22 28 33 109

Key Performers:
Bulls:
Derrick Rose - 34 points, 8 assists, 1 rebound, 1 block, 12/24 FG, 9/10 FT
Luol Deng - 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 3/10 FG, 7/7 FT
Carlos Boozer - 14 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 4/11 FG
Joakim Noah - 10 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 blocks, 4/12 FG

Knicks:
Carmelo Anthony - 34 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 11/20 FG, 3/6 3P, 9/10 FT
Amar'e Stoudemire - 26 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 10/15 FG, 6/8 FT
Chauncey Billups - 16 points, 11 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 4/9 FG, 2/4 3P, 6/6 FT
Landry Fields - 14 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 5/12 FG

@
Game Six: MIA wins 102-81; Series Tied 3-3
37 22 25 18 102
18 14 25 24 81

Key Performers:
Heat:
LeBron James - 34 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 12/21 FG, 3/6 3P
Dwyane Wade - 23 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 block, 8/19 FG
Zydrunas Ilgauskas - 16 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 7/13 FG

Pacers:
Danny Granger - 27 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 9/22 FG, 4/9 3P
Darren Collison - 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 8/13 FG
TJ Ford - 11 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 4/19 FG
Roy Hibbert - 10 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 3/8 FG

Western Conference

@
Game Six: SAS wins 112-106; SAS wins series 4-2
29 23 21 33 106
27 27 28 30 112

Key Performers:
Lakers:
Kobe Bryant - 40 points, 9 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, 12/17 FG, 14/17 FT
Pau Gasol - 25 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, 7/14 FG, 11/13 FT
Andrew Bynum - 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 4/8 FG

Spurs:
Manu Ginobili - 31 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 9/13 FG, 3/7 3P, 10/11 FT
Tony Parker - 19 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 7/11 FG, 5/6 FT
James Anderson - 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2/5 FG, 8/10 FT
DeJuan Blair - 12 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 4/8 FG, 4/5 FT

Game Seven: Miami vs. Indiana

@
Game Seven: MIA wins 111-103; MIA wins series 4-3
35 30 15 23 103
30 30 22 29 111

Key Performers:
Heat:
LeBron James - 35 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 11/20 FG, 4/9 3P
Dwyane Wade - 24 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 8/18 FG, 7/9 FT
Mike Bibby - 21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 8/12 FG
Chris Bosh - 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5/11 FG, 6/8 FT

Pacers:
Danny Granger - 40 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, 15/30 FG, 8/16 3P
Darren Collison - 27 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 8/16 FG, 11/11 FT
TJ Ford - 9 points, 7 assists, 1 rebound, 1 block, 3/6 FG

Dang it Miami

Knicks lookin' good

The Knicks are hot. Pacers still suprised me for taking Miami to 7. Suprised SA only needed 6 games.

Damn,Chicago got eliminated...

P.S.What Ulead product? Photoimpact? I want to try sth new except from photoshop but I haven't really understood photoimpact thus far

Lowry was just playing good ol' playoff basketball! Maybe EG is too soft to be guarded by him?

are u kidding me??? that look just screams evil


haahha

hey i know ur busy with the playoffs....but since u swept the Clips u have some time so dont forget about the contests in my association!

LAKERS WENT BYE BYE!!

The Pacer should have won that series

LAKERS WENT BYE BYE!!

Captain Jack's lifting the Bobcats. Sucks they just won one game. Bosh disappeared in Game 6 and 7.

GO KNICKZ

I have Ulead Photoimpact X3, it's great and much more simple to use then Photoshop.

Damn, Indiana nearly advanced. Carmelo went nuts.

Dang it Miami

Knicks lookin' good

The Knicks are hot. Pacers still suprised me for taking Miami to 7. Suprised SA only needed 6 games.

The Pacer should have won that series

GO KNICKZ

Damn, Indiana nearly advanced. Carmelo went nuts.

I too, am surprised that the Pacers took the Heat to the limit. They had their chances to win the series, but LeBron James was awakened and took them apart in the last two games. The Knicks also had Melo (whom was quiet for the whole series) awaken to eliminate the Bulls. Huge upset if you ask me.

I have Ulead Photoimpact X3, it's great and much more simple to use then Photoshop.

Really? I'll have to give it a try, photoshop isn't that hard for me to use, but I sometimes find it frustrating.

LAKERS WENT BYE BYE!!

Get out the champagne and celebrate!!! It's finally over!

Damn,Chicago got eliminated...

P.S.What Ulead product? Photoimpact? I want to try sth new except from photoshop but I haven't really understood photoimpact thus far

PM'ed you about it. Have you tried GIF Animator yet?

Lowry was just playing good ol' playoff basketball! Maybe EG is too soft to be guarded by him?

are u kidding me??? that look just screams evil


haahha

hey i know ur busy with the playoffs....but since u swept the Clips u have some time so dont forget about the contests in my association!

His evilness transfers to a bunch of physicality and hard-nosed-ness out on the court. EG was just his first victim. If there's one kind of player I love, it's point guards that are hard-nosed defenders, like Lowry.

And yeah, I'm working on a bunch of updates right now, but I have enough time to keep up with other people's dynasties/associations.

LAKERS WENT BYE BYE!!

Captain Jack's lifting the Bobcats. Sucks they just won one game. Bosh disappeared in Game 6 and 7.

I knew Fracture would celebrate, too. Jax had his way against the Celtics, but the Bobcats don't have anyone else consistent enough to help him; they traded that anyone to Portland, and he suffered a season-ending injury. And yes, RuPaul is still being RuPaul.

2011 NBA Playoffs: Review



Eastern Conference Playoffs

(1) Boston Celtics [59-23] vs. (8) Charlotte Bobcats [41-41]
Outcome: Celtics in 5
The Charlotte Bobcats lived up to their reputation of bad offense by averaging just 86.4 points in five games against the well-known Celtics defense. Their best players, Stephen Jackson and Tyrus Thomas were the only ones who were consistent throughout the whole series. Jackson averaged 25.6 points in the series, and Thomas helped as a sidekick with 20.4 points. Meanwhile, the Celtics averaged 104.2 points in the five games. Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo were the two most consistent players, while Paul Pierce and Ray Allen had their moments. Many believed Charlotte would get swept in this one, but they were able to scrape a two-point victory at home in Game 3 to win their first ever playoff game.

(4) Orlando Magic [47-35] vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks [47-35]
Outcome: Magic in 5
Orlando was completely destroyed by 33 points in Game 4, but they came back to close out the series by 21 in Game 5 against Atlanta. All series long, Dwight Howard was accompanied by two other players in bringing the scoring load. When the series began, it was Gilbert Arenas and Jason Richardson, and near the end, Brandon Bass stepped up. The Hawks' 120 million dollar man, Joe Johnson, had a fairly mediocre series averaging just 16 points. Johnson was held to less than 15 points and 40% shooting in the last two games of the series. Jamal Crawford was able to stay consistent at 20.4 points, and Al Horford had an excellent series averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds. Ultimately, the inconsistency of Atlanta's franchise player lost them the series, as they get eliminated by the same Orlando Magic for the second year in a row.

(3) Chicago Bulls [51-31] vs. (6) New York Knicks [46-36]
Outcome: Knicks in 6
A huge upset, despite the Knicks having three superstars on their team. Many thought the Bulls' defense would shut down the Knicks' high-powered offense. Carmelo Anthony quieted a raucous Bulls crowd in Game Five with a post-season high 48 points to be able to take it on the road. Anthony's consistency late in the series was the X-Factor, as he didn't have the best of starts in Games 1 and 2. Anthony averaged 26.2 points in the series, while Amar'e Stoudemire averaged 23.2 points. Both Stoudemire and Anthony had their downs in the series, but one who stayed consistent all six games was Chauncey Billups. Billups averaged 19 points and 9.7 assists. The Knicks are a team that don't play defense, and true enough, they didn't play much defense in this series. It was ultimately the Bulls' inability to keep up with them on offense that was the key. Derrick Rose had his way averaging 32.5 points. He scored a new playoff career high 44 points on two occasions in this series. Carlos Boozer gave him the help he needed as he averaged 20.7 points, but he faded out in Games 5 and 6, scoring just 14 points in both games. The Bulls ran into a hot Knicks team, and just couldn't keep up with their up tempo D'Antoni basketball.

(2) Miami Heat [55-27] vs. (7) Indiana Pacers [41-41]
Outcome: Heat in 7
This series was prone to getting some scoring records broken. The Indiana Pacers hung in there forcing the heavy favorite Miami Heat to seven games. LeBron James and Chris Bosh didn't have the best of games at Indiana, and that allowed the Pacers to tie the series, and then steal an overtime thriller at Miami. Danny Granger averaged 31.1 points in the seven game series, while Darren Collison stayed very consistent averaging 20.7 points and 7.7 assists per game. The main man for Miami was Dwyane Wade. Wade was the reason Miami was able to stay alive despite James and Bosh's struggles. Wade averaged 30.3 points and had a couple of double-doubles along the way. In the end, James was able to step up in Games 6 and 7, scoring over 30 points in both games to come back from 2-3 and win the series.

Western Conference Playoffs

(1) Houston Rockets [58-24] vs. (8) Los Angeles Clippers [43-39]
Outcome: Rockets in 4
Misfortune for the Clippers, and they were swept. Eric Gordon, whom was having the season of his career, went down with a broken wrist, and Chris Kaman went down with a back injury after staying relatively healthy all season. With this, the Rockets blew out the Clippers by 15+ points in all four games. The key point: Kevin Martin. Martin tore the Clippers apart with 30.3 points and shooting 51% from the field. He was able to get help from both Yao Ming and Aaron Brooks, while Kyle Lowry chipped in double figures in points and averaged 8.0 assists. The Clippers were just not aggressive enough. Sure, Blake Griffin got his numbers averaging 22.3 points and 10 rebounds, but overall, they just relied on outside jumpshots. Randy Foye shot less than 40% from the field, and Mo Williams had very sloppy ballhandling. The Clippers surpassed 30 points in the paint just once in all four games, an indicator of their lack of aggressiveness and will to chuck up outside shots. With such atrocious offensive execution, anything less than a sweep would have been a miracle for the Clippers.

(4) Los Angeles Lakers [47-35] vs. (5) San Antonio Spurs [50-32]
Outcome: Spurs in 6
And so the reign and three-peat quest of the Lakers ends sooner than expected. The San Antonio Spurs held their own against the Lakers, as it seemed it was just Kobe Bryant giving the effort. Kobe averaged 32.3 points in the six games of this series, but San Antonio's balanced efforts proved too much. Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Richard Jefferson shared the scoring load, as DeJuan Blair would crash the boards and chip in double figures in scoring. They held Pau Gasol's contributions to a minimum, as the Spaniard was held to less than 15 points and 10 rebounds on more than a couple of games. And the scary thing: the elimination of the reigning champions was done without premiere big man Tim Duncan.

(3) Dallas Mavericks [50-32] vs. (6) Utah Jazz [50-32]
Outcome: Mavericks in 5
What was thought to be a close series was not close at all. Dallas blew Utah out of their home court in Games 1 and 2, and took one on the road at Salt Lake City. Apparently, Dirk Nowitzki was too much for the hard-nosed Jazz. Nowitzki averaged 32 points for the series, as Utah's undersized frontcourt could not slow him down. Dallas had contributions from many different players, Caron Butler, Jason Terry, Jason Kidd, Tyson Chandler, Shawn Marion... That's just a testament for the different scoring options they have. Meanwhile, the Jazz only had consistent contributions from Devin Harris and Al Jefferson. The other role players were shut down by Dallas' well-known team defense.

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder [54-28] vs. (7) Denver Nuggets (46-36)
Outcome: Thunder in 5
While not the best-scoring series, this series fulfilled its hype with the up tempo basketball played. Oklahoma City had no problem taking out Denver in Games 1 and 2, and the Nuggets barely scraped by with their only win of the series in Game 4. Kevin Durant averaged 28.4 points in this series, and Russell Westbrook chipped in 22 points and 6.8 assists. Denver had even contributions in scoring throughout the whole series, but didn't have a consistent go-to-guy and therefore, couldn't execute very well in the fourth quarter. They put up a fight in the last two games of the series, but they still have some improvement to do to be able to get farther along in the post season.

Jax had his way against the Celtics, but the Bobcats don't have anyone else consistent enough to help him; they traded that anyone to Portland, and he suffered a season-ending injury.

I know that Stephen Jackson can't single-handedly lead the Bobcats to the playoffs in real life, but then again, virtual Jack is so much better. We shouldn't have traded Wallace, but we'll see how this draft class is. Are you using the real draft class with the NLSCers or are there a lot of generated guys?

too bad the Lakers got eliminated...I would have loved to see the thug that is Kyle Lowry take out Kobe Bryant

GO SAN ANTONIOOOOOOOOO! Is Timmy injured?

Mavs for da win

z02, what, do you think I gave NCAA March Madness coverage on Derrick Williams, Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight, etc. just to have generated players inserted into this virtual world?

KidJustin, that would be awesome. Except Kobe's durability rating is probably much higher than EG's so that would be less likely to happen.

Thierry •, yep, suffered a broken foot and only played 69 games in the regular season. There's a slight chance he can make it back if I go to 7 games against the Spurs, though.

Houndy, they'll have to get past my Rockets!

Second round preview, and series preview against Spurs is next. Then, Games 1 & 2 (which have already been played)!

2011 NBA Playoffs: Second Round Preview



Eastern Conference Playoffs

(1) Boston Celtics [59-23] vs. (4) Orlando Magic [47-35]
This was a series that many wanted to see. Last year's Eastern Conference Finals happens as early as the second round. Both teams had no problems scrapping their respective first round matchups, and now, both teams are hungry to get back to the Conference Finals. To start out, the major flaw in the Boston Celtics is the lack of a center; Shaquille O'Neal is out for the season with a Torn MCL, and Jermaine O'Neal is not at 100% and slowing down. The major question: who will guard Dwight Howard? Howard had his way in the first round averaging 20.6 points and 10.8 rebounds, dismantling the Hawks' frontcourt. The Magic are a completely different team from last year, and are a deadly threat of bombing away from three-point land. Boston will have their hands full defending the perimeter, but they do have one of the best defenses in the league. Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett had an excellent series against Charlotte, but to have a chance against the Magic, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will have to pick up their consistency to get the job done. In all, this should be a very competitive series, especially with some scores to settle that weren't settled last year.

Prediction: Celtics in 6.

(2) Miami Heat [55-27] vs. (6) New York Knicks [46-36]
After upsetting arguably the best defensive team in the league, the Knicks find themselves facing another excellent defensive team. Here, there is no lone superstar to allow to have his way while limiting everyone else's performances like they did with Derrick Rose; the Heat have three players who can pour in the points at any time. The two intriguing matchups here: Chris Bosh vs. Amar'e Stoudemire, and LeBron James vs. Carmelo Anthony. Anthony was able to overcome Luol Deng's physicality on defense in the first round, but here, he finds himself up against a more potent scorer, and a stronger and quicker opponent. Stoudemire has the advantage over Bosh; he's quicker, and plays more defense than him (which still doesn't say much). Bosh has had his struggles this post-season, so he'll have to pick up his game for the Heat to be able to keep up with the potent offense of the Knicks. Ultimately, it will be Dwyane Wade's responsibility to carry his Heat team. He has been the most consistent of the Big Three, and the one who kept Miami alive against Indiana. Expect a few 120+ scoring games in this series, just like in the Heat-Pacers series.

Prediction: Heat in 6.

Western Conference Playoffs

(1) Houston Rockets [58-24] vs. (5) San Antonio Spurs [50-32]
A division rivalry will now intensify to much more than that. These two Texas Giants will face head-to-head, and both have confidence going into this series. Unlike the Clippers, the Rockets find themselves up against a team who has playoffs experience, and one who knows what it takes to be at the top. However, the Spurs are missing Tim Duncan, who suffered a season-ending broken foot near the end of the regular season. The Spurs are fresh from eliminating the defending champions, and have the confidence that they can make the Conference Finals without Duncan now that they've done so. The Rockets are up against a team much tougher than the Clippers, and the Spurs are against a team that's arguably better than the Lakers. It should be a good one.

Prediction: Rockets in 6.

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder [54-28] vs. (3) Dallas Mavericks [50-32]
Dallas makes it out of the first round after many disappointing playoff campaigns in the past, while this is unfamiliar territory for the young Oklahoma City Thunder team. This is a prime example of youth vs. experience; the Thunder are full of energetic players who light up the scoreboard at will, while the Mavericks are a team who've been to the Finals, and know what it's like to suffer a heart-breaking elimination. Who plays better defense will ultimately decide the outcome of this one, and which player has a better series: Kevin Durant or Dirk Nowitzki.

Prediction: Mavericks in 6.

Mavs will win it all

You've got it fairly easy. With Tim Duncan out, I expect another sweep.