After what will probably be symbolic of the first-round thrashing the Cavs would give the Raptors, I wandered to ESPN to check out their playoff simulator.
With Hollingers playoff possibility ratings (and that man has a stat or rating for EVERYTHING, so trust him), after the first round, it looks something like this
Cavs over Raps
Heat (upset? nahh) over Celtics
Magic over Bobcats
Hawks over Bucks
Moving westward...
Lakers over Blazers
Mavs over Nuggets
Spurs over Jazz
Suns over Thunder
Cavs will straight up demolish the Raptors, there's no other way about it. Hedo could very well have a Magic playoff flashback, and pairing that with Bosh, they could win one game. But that's all
Celtics look really old, and it scares me (as a Celtics fan). Dwayne Wade has been unearthly lately, Beasley is far too much for KG and his knee(s) to handle, and Q-Rich is the X factor. But...I don't agree with this one. Celtics have enough to make it out.
I love the Bobcats, and I have a huge mancrush on Gerald Wallace. That out of the way, the Magic destroy them.
Without Bogut, and yes, that injury was horrible to watch and my thoughts go out to the big man...the Bucks have zero chance without him in the lineup.
WESTWARD HO!
The Lakers will most likely beat the Blazers, in fact, the only way I see them losing first round is if they draw the Spurs and Parker fits back in seamlessly. It could happen.
I really hope that the Mavs and Nuggets do not get paired up first round. That's a great matchup, and it shouldn't be wasted right away. But, unfortunately, due to the logjam atop the west, two teams that are too good to meet in the first round will.
Spurs could very well beat the Jazz, they can beat anyone if their vets (well, basically Timmy) can step up. The Jazz will win this one, if they keep a hot streak alive for their opening round.
The Suns are hot. VERY hot. And Amar'''''''e is making Cleveland look idiotic for passing on him. Amare has made himself into the BEST big man post-all star.Next year, Thunder
Into round two...
Lakers advance over Mavs
Spurs knock off Suns
Cavs beat the Heat
Magic roll Atlanta
The Lakeshow roll on, making Mark Cuban resort to his last plan, cloning Dirk Nowitzki.
Spurs and Suns reunite, and although Nash is not thrown into a table (we miss you Bruce Bowen!), the experience of the Spurs is just too much for the Suns.
Dwayne Wade and Lebron is always fun, but Lebron always wins. Fingers crossed that those two don't play with each other next year.
Atlanta should push the Magic to 6, they have it in them. The glaring weakness from Woodsen not being a real coach shows up big, as the Magic win the two or so close games the Hawks should have closed out.
Lakers beat Spurs
Well...this is the sad part. The Cavs get eliminated... However, it should be noted this is a 38-62% upset. The Magic are the only team capable of beating the Cavaliers. Howard is ridiculous against us, they always hit their threes against us, and Vince Carter should step up in the playoffs. Needless to say, I don't think Lebron lets this happen again. Or Shaq, assuming he plays.
Lakers Spurs already being covered, but this match up coming in the conference finals shows the parity of the West.
And your champion is...
The LAKERS
...Re-roll until Cavs win!
( I am so upset by the Lakers winning, that I refuse to analyze that. I refuse to believe Kobe is resting for the playoffs. KOBE DOESN'T REST.)
Congratulations Duke, that was a great game, and Brad Stevens has a very bright future. I hope he stays at Butler, and builds that school up. Senses say he'll take the ludicrous contract thrown at him.
Finally, it's the last week of fantasy basketball. I'm in 9 playoffs, and looking like i could win about 6 of those leagues...don't sit Lebron...
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