North by Northwestern sports writers Peter McGrain, Josh Sim and Farrukh Virani continue with predictions and commentary on the 2009 NBA Playoffs.
East
1 – Cleveland
4 – Atlanta
Peter McGrain: The Cleveland LeBrons — I mean Cavaliers — come fresh off their spanking of Detroit “No Allen Iverson in sight” Pistons to face an Atlanta Hawks team that outplayed the Miami Heat in seven games. Cleveland is too good on both sides of the ball to drop a game to the Hawks, who are good but just outmatched in this series. Cavaliers 4-0.
Farrukh Virani: Come on. Even Joe Johnson’s breakout performance doesn’t keep up with LeBron’s consistent stat bursters. And if Josh Smith misses another dunk, he might as well start his own All-Star competition. Caveliers 4-1.
Josh Sim: The Hawks have absolutely no chance against LeBron & Co. If we could just imagine, though — Josh Smith and LeBron James trading ridiculous dunks throughout the series. If only Smith would look at the scoreboard once in a while. Cavs jog past 4-0.
2 – Boston
3 – Orlando
PM: This series should be a huge letdown following the instant ESPN Classics that were the games of the Bulls/Celtics series. Rajon Rondo’s flagrant fouls will not be enough to steal the series against Orlando like they were against Chicago. The loss of Magic guard Courtney Lee to teammates Dwight Howard’s flying elbows could hurt Orlando, though. I’m going to stick with my gut, since the series against the tough Bulls has exhausted the Boston starters. Magic 4-3.
FV: Orlando isn’t the same team without Jameer Nelson, but Boston is in far worse shape without Garnett, especially after their exhausting series with Chicago. Some may say that the fatigue may kill them, but the Allen, Pierce and Rondo trio has some Irish luck backing them up, also known as their bench. After the way they started stepping up, that help is the key ingredient in the matchup. Plus, the Chicago series was an enlightening and invigorating series. Maybe if Alston had more time and Howard started making some free throws for once in his life? Bye bye, Orlando. Boston 4-3.
JS: Boston barely got by against Chicago’s hustlers and snipers. A worn-out Celtics unit won’t stand for long against a refreshed Magic unit loaded with playmakers and a certain beast in the middle of the paint. Rajon Rondo goes off for another stat-stuffing series, but will also throw in about 3 elbows and 2 shoves to Redick and Gortat. Watch out for Scalabrine, though. He’s shown that he’s only human against opponents 6′3″ and up. Orlando moves on 4-2.
West
1 – Los Angeles Lakers
5 – Houston Rockets
PM: The Rockets, with McGrady sidelined, were able to shake their first-round exit bug. The Lakers dominated Utah, but Andrew Bynum looked pretty mediocre. He’ll have to play better against Houston’s Yao Ming to make this series a blowout, but I don’t think the Rockets can hang with the Lakers for seven games, though it could be interesting. Lakers 4-2.
FV: This is actually their hardest matchup in the West. Houston has a rabid fan base and match up well with the Lakers. Especially with the Rockets bench seeing its best games against the Lakers. The Rockets will put up a great fight as Artest will definitely show a big game and Yao Ming and Scola will definitely have games to remember. But with Bynum back and Gasol at forward, the Lakers are too talented to lose here. Lakers 4-3.
JS: Much like the East’s 1-5 matchup, there won’t be much of a fight put up by the underdogs. Big 7-5 giants can only carry their shorter teams for so long. As quick as this fight will be, enjoy Ron Artest getting manhandled by a certain Kobe Bryant. Lakers in 4-1.
2 – Denver
3 – Dallas
PM: The Nuggets dispatched the Hornets with ease, their first playoff series since Dikembe Mutumbo dispatched the Seattle Sonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) in 1994 in one of the greatest playoff upsets of all-time (The big man from Congo will be sorely missed.). They face the hot Mavericks, who easily disposed of the San Antonio Spurs, who looked old in their series. Dallas is hot, but Denver is too loaded with depth and can attack from so many angles. Nuggets 4-2.
FV: The Nuggets fans are probably happy to be in the second round for the first time since 1994. Even though the Mavs have been on a roll, Billups isn’t going to let his hometown down. Terry, Howard and Dirk just won’t be able to keep at the end. Denver 4-3.
JS: The two point guards will do outstanding jobs in keeping this close, but Denver will come through more often than not. The lack of consistent big men in the paint for the Mavs will give Denver the edge, and eventually, the series. Mark Cuban = epic fail. Denver wins 4-2.