If the postseason began today, Dallas 1 would be hosting Denver 8, and Utah 4would host Houston 5.
Phoenix 2 would host the Clippers 7in a rematch of last year's seven-game thriller, and the LAKERS 6 would play San Antonio 3 on the road.
In the East Detroit 1 would meet Miami 8 in the first round although this would be considered by most to be the real East finals, while Toronto 4 would have home court advantage against Chicago 5.
Washington 2 would get homecourt against slumping Orlando 7, and Cleveland 4 gets a tough test as they host Indiana 5.
Barring any significant player movement between these teams, it is highly likely that it will end up just like this by the time the playoffs actually begin.
The Mavs have proven to be just as dominant all around as they have been consistent. They beat the elite teams and pounce on the noncontenders. I see them handling the Nuggets in five games and taking care of the winner of Utah-Houston in six.
The Suns continue to run up the score but in the playoffs the nature of play changes. Phoenix should run all over the helpless Clips who will be swept out of the playoffs. The best first round series in the West will be between L.A. and S.A., with KOBE coming out victorious with a buzzer beater in game 7.
This is where everything becomes interesting. Phoenix vs. the Lakers. Seven Games. Round Two. Nash-Kobe. Run-n-gun vs. The Triangle. Offense vs. Defense. Mike vs. Phil. Cactuses vs. Palm Trees. Take your pick. You can't go wrong with either one because everyone will watch this series.
Who will deserve the right to face the defending Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks? Will Nash prove once and for all that he is the real MVP? Or will Bryant shut everyone up and show why he is the ultimate scorer and team player in the game today?
Meanwhile, the East is best summed up like this: De - troit Basket - ball!
If all holds true to form and if everyone continues to play how they've been playing, and if the Heat and Lakers continue to stink it up and disappoint me, then the NBA Finals will be DALLAS vs. DETROIT. This one will go seven games but you pick the winner.
if there's 1 thing miami wants to do between now and playoff time, it's get away from having to face detroit in round 1...or maybe they think they can get them out of the way early.
i'm impressed with detroit since chris webber arrived.
obviously, if the playoffs started now, houston (Yao), denver (iverson), and utah (boozer) would have a tough road ahead...same with phoenix if nash isnt 100%.
detroit is the most complete team in the east, but i'll wait to see if miami can figure it out before handing the pistons the eastern conference.
I was curious to see how the Pistons would gel with the addition of Webber. I'm glad to see that it has helped. They kinda had me worried to begin the seaon. Looks like C-Webb is a great addition. They are starting to look like the team that won it all a few years ago. I would love to see my boys hang another banner. But, unlike some fans, I'm not gonna jump to conclusions. And I won't count out the Heat until they are eliminated. Not with Shaq and Wade healthy. I dont care what their record is. They had the same problem last year. Not this late in teh season, but they pulled together in the playoffs. Which is when it really counts.
Miami would love a 1st round matchup with Detroit. The league would hate it. Miami doesn't want to face a team like the Bulls early-on because of their youth and bravado. It has and would continue to cause major problems for them.
Dallas is the best team in the league right now, and barring injury, should remain so entering the playoffs.
Hmmm. barring injuries late in the season, this might be Dallas's year. The laker/SA series would be good since SA is just getting older and older, but I believe it would be SA in 7. Also, it's a long season, don't count out the clippers yet, they are underachievers that are being driven by a really bad unimaginative coach. Even though I like miami, c-web appears to be gelling with detroit. My pick: Dallas vs Detroit, Dallas wins in 6.
Last edited by Bishop53 on February 10th at 1:33 PM.
as isaid in early jan.this championship is between five teams pho.houston and san antoine out of the west,and detriot and miami out of the east and the only way the west wins the championship is sa is in it otherwise it is detriot and miami, a good series but i believe detroit wins.
AMPM666: Spurs have not controlled any of the games they played against LA this season. They even got lucky on that OT victory because the Lakers had a mental breakdown in OT but controlled the entrire game up until that point.
UC IRVINE graduate and proud to be an ANTEATER. My claim to fame is having played against the likes of Tayshaun and Tommie Prince, Jacque Vaughn, and Charles O'Bannon, plus getting dunked on by Schea Cotton in a CIF second round match in the nineties.
WIDELY KNOWN on FOX as one of the most biased LAKER HOMERS in blog history, highly criticized for hating on the PHOENIX SUNS fan base, and has been told on more than one occasion that LAMAR ODOM isn't worth the suit he's wearing.
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