The InsideHoops.com 2005-06 NBA Playoff preview is a right-to-the-point, bottom-line look at each matchup in each round. The NBA Playoffs begin today, Saturday, April 22nd. There are four rounds: Round 1, the conference semi-finals, the conference finals, and then the NBA finals for the championship. Here's what's up in Round 1:
Eastern Conference Round 1 Playoff Predictions:
Pistons (1) vs. Bucks (8): The Pistons are deep, balanced and proven. They were fantastic all season long. Chauncey Billups is an MVP candidate, and Ben Wallace locks down the paint on defense. The Bucks need a big series from former all-star Jamaal Magloire, who hasn't done much this season aside from rebounding. They need Michael Redd to score like he's never scored before. And someone like Bobby Simmons is going to have to rise to the occasion. TJ Ford's quickness is his only weapon against Billups. The Pistons should win this in four or five games.
Heat (2) vs. Bulls (7): Miami boasts one of the league's brightest young superstar guards in Dwyane Wade, an MVP candidate for the season. And while Shaquille O'Neal is older and mortal now, he's still a problem for every team in the league. Udonis Haslem does the job at the four spot. But Jason Williams, James Posey and Antoine Walker are still adjusting to their new team and it's not known how they'll respond to playoff pressure. The Bulls are a jump-shooting team with no inside presense at all. They're in trouble. The Heat should win in five games.
Nets (3) vs. Pacers (6): The Nets have been inconsistent this season, looking mortal and beatable most of the time, with some ridiculously terrific winning streaks along the way. Which Nets will show up? Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson are as good a 1, 2 and 3 as you'll find in the league. But assuming all three are on their game, the key for NJ is the play of Nenad Krstic. And, Cliff Robinson, the lone big man who can shoot, is also key. The Pacers had a rocky season and need Jermaine O'Neal and Peja Stojakovic to play together and like the stars they've been in their careers. Former Net Anthony Johnson always tries to rise against his former team. The Pacers have plenty of x-factors, and a bunch while all have to step up, every game. The Nets should win the series in five or six games.
Cavaliers (4) vs. Wizards (5): LeBron James is one of the top few players in the world, and naturally the Cavs are his team. But they need Larry Hughes to be his scoring partner. And Hughes' defense is mandatory. Drew Gooden is very good when focused on rebounding and defending. Zydrunas Ilgauskas provides scoring inside. The Wizards feature the explosive Gilbert Arenas, who loves a challenge and can score as well as anyone in the league. Antawn Jamison is steady. But when Caron Butler is on his game, the Wizards are a success. When he's quiet or out, they're lousy. The Wizards big men don't do anything. This actually could be a pretty interesting series. The Cavs should win in six games.
Western Conference Round 1 Playoff Predictions:
Spurs (1) vs. Kings (8): The defending champion Spurs are used to this. Stepping up for the playoffs is routine. Key Spurs not named Tony Parker were semi-hurt all season, yet they still dominated. Parker is amazing now. Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan need to stay healthy, Bruce Bowen needs to keep playing his amazing, annoying, lock-down defense, and Bowen, Robert Horry and other role players need to hit their outside shots. The Kings are a totally new and effective team thanks to mid-season addition of Ron Artest. Mike Bibby may be a point guard but if he decides to drop 30 points a game, it'll help. Bonzi Wells does a bit of everything, and Kevin Martin has been a nice surprise. Brad Miller is solid and needs to play his best-ever basketball on the boards and defensively. Although lots of games may be pretty close, the Spurs should win in five games.
Suns (2) vs. Lakers (7): Phoenix plays great, total team basketball that revolves around player movement and Steve Nash passing to the right guys at the right times. While Nash makes a pass to one guy, other guys keep positioning themselves, cutting or getting open outside. It's called "basketball" and the Suns are terrific at it. Credit also goes to Shawn Marion, a superstar who would get mentioned more if Nash wasn't stealing his publicity. The Lakers are a lot of Kobe Bryant, a solid dose of Lamar Odom, and a bunch of other guys hoping to touch the ball sometimes. Phoenix may just let Kobe go crazy while containing the rest of the team. L.A. has done well, but they aren't balanced. The Suns should win in five games, but six is possible because Bryant is that good.
Nuggets (3) vs. Clippers (6): Denver's enjoyed the emergence of Carmelo Anthony this season. Melo has risen from an unsteady scorer to a legit star at the small forward spot. He's also one of the league's most clutch players at the end of games. Kenyon Martin is dealing with a knee injury that won't go away, and he's going to be used in limited fashion, at least to start the playoffs. Marcus Camby's defense, shot-blocking and rebounding are mandatory. Andre Miller is underrated. The Nuggets are up against a scary first round opponent, as the Clippers, led by Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley in the backcourt and star power forward Elton Brand, are legit. Chris Kaman has steadily improved and although defense isn't a strong point, he does most everything else. Corey Maggette is the x-factor for the Clip Show. If he plays like a superstar, they're dangerous and can beat anyone. The Nuggets should win in seven games.
Mavericks (4) vs. Grizzlies (5): The Mavs are an awesome team that is only the four seed because of imperfect rules. They're really almost as good as the #1-ranked Spurs. Dirk Nowitzki is a superstar and impossible to guard. His terrific supporting cast doesn't include a second superstar but involves plenty of guys who can all drop 18 any night. Point guard Jason Terry fills the bucket. Josh Howard is good at everything. Off the bench, Jerry Stackhouse is a point-scoring machine. It hurts that Keith Van Horn is hurt, but Dallas should still do fine. The Grizzlies are led by Pau Gasol, who raised every level of his game this season and is a legit superstar. Memphis plays terrific total team basketball. Shane Battier and Eddie Jones are versatile and solid. Mike Miller provides big scoring punch off the bench. But the Mavs should win in five games.
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