LA Clippers at San Antonio: Finally after an nine-day break, the San Antonio Spurs are set to take the court once again. Yesterday, Oklahoma City returned after getting eight days off, by stomping the LA Lakers. Look for more of the same tonight by San Antonio, this time on the other LA team. The Spurs win the game, as the Clippers don't get enough rest after that exhausting round one series win over Memphis. Injuries to key guys will alter at least the first two games for the Clippers here. San Antonio wins.
Indiana at Miami: Game one of this series went exactly how I felt it would. Indiana stands the best chance of any Eastern Conference team remaining to beat Miami in a series. Roy Hibbert and David West outworked everyone the Heat threw at them after Chris Bosh went down to injury. Indiana had no answer for Lebron James and Dwayne Wade though in the loss. Pacers star Danny Granger was held to just seven points in the loss, he will have to score more for Indiana to stand a chance. Miami wins game two, though it will go down to the end once again.
LA Lakers at Oklahoma City: Game one of this highly anticipated series is set for tomorrow. Metta World Peace returns to face Thunder guard James Harden. Peace sent Harden to the ground with an elbow after dunking the ball last month. Peace returned for the Lakers game seven win over Denver after sitting out seven games. Kobe Bryant had an off game, though he still connected on a huge three-pointer in the waning stretch of the victory on Saturday. It will be interesting to see how rusty Oklahoma City is after their long break. The Thunder swept Dallas, over a week ago. My guess is there will be a little rust, though not much. Thunder wins.
Philadelphia at Boston: The 76ers surprised many with their easy win over Chicago in the first round, now they almost pulled another shocker in beating Boston in game one. The Celtics recovered in time, though in finishing off the 76ers, 92-91. Boston is showing their age on the front-court and back-court. Rajon Rondo will have to continue to out-play Jrue Holliday in order for the Celtics to win. Philadelphia with the younger players proved they can battle Boston down low. This game is a tough one to pick. It all depends upon how Ray Allen and Paul Pierce play with their respective ailments. Am going on a hunch and Boston yet again to win.
LA Clippers at Memphis: Game seven, winner set to take on San Antonio on Tuesday. Memphis won this series with their victory in game five. The Grizzlies will once again with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph playing a big part, win game seven. The Clippers are ailing with Blake Griffin and Chris Paul struggling. Memphis wins
Indiana at Miami: Game one of this Eastern Conference semifinals series. Miami was called out by Indiana head coach Frank Vogel for being big time floppers. Vogel was promptly fined and we haven't even started the series. I like Miami to get things going here with a game one victory. The series will go around the distance, as this Indiana team is for real. Looking forward to the Danny Granger vs Lebron James matchup at the small forward spot. Heat wins
Denver at LA Lakers: Before the playoffs began, I figured if we had a game seven in any series, the Lakers and Nuggets or the Clippers and Grizzlies would be our best bet. The chances appeared dim until the Grizzlies and Nuggets both won two straight games. Denver has been outplaying the Lakers down low and at the point guard position. Metta World Peace's return will assist the Lakers in giving them another weapon. Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol will come out stronger tonight, pushing the Lakers to the win. Kobe Bryant scores over 30 in out-dueling Denver's Ty Lawson.
Philadelphia at Boston: Game one of the Eastern Conference semifinals series. I like Philadelphia's chances to once again pull off a series win. Game one will be anyone's bet as both teams are coming off series's that went to six games, just finishing up on Thursday. Each game six went to the wire, forcing the starters to log serious game minutes. Integral to this series, will be the matchup between Rajon Rondo and Jrue Holliday. Whoever gets the better of this position battle pulls out the series. I like Boston to win here in game one, pulling away in the end.
The lone game for Friday, features the Memphis Grizzlies and the LA Clippers. Memphis forced this game six due to a big game-five win on Wednesday night. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol set the tone early for the Grizzlies and they used a great defense the rest of the way en route to the win. Clippers star Chris Paul was shut down in the loss for the first time this series. Don't see this happening again as the Clippers head back home.
Game six will be decided by two different position battles. In game five Randolph and Mike Conley bested Blake Griffin and Paul. This won't happen again, as the Clippers get the win, and now face San Antonio in the second round.
New York at Miami: New York did it. All signs pointed to a Knick victory on Sunday, yet I couldn't bring myself to go for it. Now back to Miami. The Heat will win here, likely pulling away from Miami in the end. Carmelo Anthony will go for 30 points in the loss.
LA Clippers at Memphis: Memphis could of very easily have swept this series by now. Game one was one they let away. Rudy Gay blew chances in the last two games at the buzzer, now they are on the brink of getting eliminated. Chris Paul is sure a difference maker. He has pushed the Clippers past Memphis, willed them to wins. That being sad, Memphis is too proud of a team to get eliminated on their home court. This game goes to the Grizzlies. Game six on Friday.
San Antonio at Utah: The Jazz gave their best effort on Saturday, and still lost by 12 to San Antonio here. Don't see any indication this game today will be any different. Utah has a great group of fans, they will play good for them. Still San Antonio is too strong, Utah has nobody who can stop Tony Parker. Spurs win and sweep.
Memphis at LA Clippers: Will we have a first round series that goes the distance? This series here is our best chance. Still if the Clippers win tonight, they grab control of the series. Two missed shots at the buzzer in games one and three by Rudy Gay has cost the Grizzlies a chance of being ahead three games to none. Yet, the Grizzlies also collapsed in game one, being ahead by 24 in the fourth. Now, Memphis is in must win mode. Other guys need to step up for Memphis. Where is Mike Conley, OJ Mayo? Not enough supporting cast is ruining the series for the Grizzlies. While Chris Paul is Chris Paul. I like the Clippers to win.
gpike
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