 |
| Photo Rights to thesource.com |
We're two rounds into the 2013 NBA Playoffs and my record stands at a respectable 9-3 (with 5 series picked exactly- winner&number of games). And I feel really good about this round because I've gotten the Heat and Spurs series' all exactly right at 4-0, and in the number of games. So if that trend continues...look out. Here's the picks.
East
1 Miami vs. 3 Indiana
Key Matchup: Dwyane Wade vs. Lance Stephenson
Wade's knee issues have made the Heat look strangely mortal, although they haven't played a team good enough to test that yet. The Pacers' X-Factor is Stephenson, a talented guard that stepped up to close out the Knicks in Game 6. If Stephenson can approach Wade's production, the Pacers can make this series VERY interesting.
Prediction: Heat in 7
West
2 San Antonio vs. 5 Memphis
Key Matchup: Manu Ginobili vs. Tony Allen
The Spurs have shown they can handle big man duos before, having swept the Lakers in Round 1. But whereas the Lakers had ZERO capable guards to match up with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, those two guys were able to play free and get shots for themselves and their teammates. Parker and Mike Conley will be a nice matchup, but it's Ginobili vs. Allen that will decide the series. If Manu can get hot, the Spurs will be able to free up their 3-point shooters and run their high octane offensive system. If Allen shuts down Ginobili, the Spurs will be left with one offensive playmaker (Parker) much like OKC was with Russell Westbrook being absent.
Prediction: Grizzlies in 6
No comments:
Post a Comment