BANNAK
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Post by BANNAK on Oct 30, 2015 7:21:57 GMT
#1 Memphis Grizzlies vs #8 Portland Trail Blazers
Regular Season Match-up: Grizzlies 3 - Blazers 1
Key Match Up - Kirilenko vs Mourning: A great match-up of two of the top power forwards in the league. Both are elite defenders, however Mourning also happens to be an elite offensive player whereas AK is still a work in progress. If Mourning can get to work without Kirilenko slowing him down, it will go a long way to Portland picking up a win or two. Mournings turnovers are an issue though, and AK is one of the best stealing PFs the league has seen in a while. Could be a problem.
Series Prediction - Grizzlies 4 def. Blazers 2: The Grizzlies just have too many weapons to contend with. Portland is in a great position moving forward with Dwight on their roster, but the Grizzlies are on a different level all together. Sprewell and Davis, combined with Mourning and Howard up front are good enough to win maybe two games at home, but I think the Grizz will close it out in 6.
#2 Los Angeles Lakers vs #7 Phoenix Suns
Regular Season Match-up: Lakers 3 - Suns 1.
Key Match Up - Brand vs Ilgauskas: Two players with similar stats, similar play-styles and similar skin tones. Big Z has a distinct height advantage in this match-up, and should be able to exploit it well. Could lead to a few easy baskets down low, but won't amount to much as their team will get destroyed each game.
Series Prediction - Lakers 4 - Suns 0: A rematch of last years first round meeting, where the Lakers won convincingly, I'm expecting much the same here. Stackhouse and Big Z are both solid players but the rest of the roster isn't much to look at. This one will be over quickly. Is this guy even still a GM? I haven't seen him in weeks, and his team is one that is looking severely neglected. The Lakers get to reap the rewards again because of this.
#3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs #6 Golden State Warriors
Regular Season Match-up: Timberwolves 2 - Warriors 2
Key Match Up - Garnett vs O'Neal: Both young bigs who carry their team on any given night. While KG has the superior PPG, owing to his ability to hit the occasional 3, he only shoots 1.4% better than O'Neal from the floor -- making you wonder if the PPG differential is simply due to opportunity. Garnett however is by far the superior player defensively, and this is where he can take advantage of JO. If the Warriors want to have a chance they need to limit KG and I don't think O'Neal is quite at that stage yet.
Series Prediction - Timberwolves 4 - Warriors 2: Across the board the Wolves have the better squad, if the Hebrew Hammer was still starting that might be a different story. Minny made a good trade to get Daniels, he bolsters their squad and gives them a formidable starting 5. Depth might be a problem for Minnesota in later rounds but against the (mostly) young Warriors team, I don't think it is that big of a deal. The starters should get the job done.
#4 San Antonio Spurs vs #5 Houston Rockets
Regular Season Match-up: Rockets 3 - Spurs 1
Key Match Up - Rockets starters vs Spurs: The Rockets have a star studded starting line-up, but having 79 of the available 84 million locked up between 5 players means you will be short of depth. The Rockets starters need to ensure that they get their team to a good lead, so when substitutions have to be made, the minimum guys don't throw the game. Pierce being injured for the first game (and maybe more if there is no health pill used) won't make the task any easier.
Series Prediction - Rockets 4 def. Spurs 2: The Rockets have too much talent in their starting unit to lose at this stage of the playoffs. Once they get deeper into the playoffs, and vs teams with adequate starters and with a more established bench, they may run into trouble. Though at the moment the Spurs are too young to challenger, and the Rockets are too star-studded to lose.
WESTERN PREDICTION: Grizzlies/Timberwolves Conference Finals, with the Grizzlies winning.
FINALS PREDICTION: Grizzlies win in a close contest over the Knicks.
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Post by HyperYellow on Oct 30, 2015 13:24:39 GMT
Considering I didn't even make the top 8 until day 116 I think if I can pinch a win or two I'll be happy.
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Post by SuperMaor23 on Oct 30, 2015 15:57:43 GMT
Just saying. I blew out braz the last two times we played (after i got daniels)
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Post by lakers209er on Oct 30, 2015 16:48:47 GMT
ok
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Post by blue on Oct 30, 2015 16:53:05 GMT
trying a new DC for suns, lets hope it works
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