2011 NBA Playoffs - Conference Semifinals

Tomorrow tips off the Conference Semifinals in the NBA Playoffs. This round features a little of everything. We have the likely MVP in Derrick Rose leading the Bulls against the underdog Hawks. Two small market teams battle as the Oklahoma City Thunder look to take another step towards the ultimate goal against the upstart Memphis Grizzlies. Two teams that are in the Playoffs every year but haven't faced off in them since the 80s pair up as the Lakers face the Mavericks. And of course we have the series that all eyes will be on - Boston and Miami begin play in what could be an epic series. Below are the positional matchups of each series with the person/team with the advantage in bold. Here is how I think things will play out.

Eastern Conference Semifinals

1 Chicago (-1200) vs. 5 Atlanta (+700)

PG - Derrick Rose vs. Kirk Hinrich
SG - Keith Bogans vs. Joe Johnson
SF - Luol Deng vs. Marvin Williams
PF - Carlos Boozer vs. Josh Smith
C - Joakim Noah vs. Al Horford
Bench - Chicago vs. Atlanta
Coach - Tom Thibodeau vs. Larry Drew

The Bulls received a scare in 4 out their 5 games in the First Round versus Indiana. They received an even bigger scare when Derrick Rose appeared to hurt his ankle. It seems that D Rose is fine, as the Bulls blew the Pacers out to close out their series. The Hawks pretty much dominated the Magic in their series, winning in 6. Jamal Crawford was a star in that series, and will need to be again in this series to give the Hawks a chance. I don't think that the Hawks have the mental fortitude to pull this series out - but I do think that they will give the Bulls all they can handle.

Prediction - Chicago over Atlanta 4-3

2 Miami (-185) vs. 3 Boston (+155)

PG - Mike Bibby vs. Rajon Rondo
SG - Dwayne Wade vs. Ray Allen
SF - LeBron James vs. Paul Pierce
PF - Chris Bosh vs. Kevin Garnett
C - Zydrunas Ilgauskas vs. Jermaine O'Neal
Bench - Miami vs. Boston
Coach - Erik Spoelstra vs. Doc Rivers

I am actually a little surprised that Miami is favored in this one. Save the last meeting, Boston owned Miami throughout the regular season so much that Dwayne Wade said that they were the Celtics' little brothers. This group of Celtics certainly knows what it takes to win a title. The Heat only have 1 player that can say that - in Dwayne Wade. LeBron James knows how difficult it is to get past Boston in a best of 7, having lost to them twice in the last 3 years while in Cleveland. I think Game 1 is going to go a long way towards who wins this series. I think the Celtics will use the week of rest to their advantage and send a message to the aspiring champs in Miami.

Prediction - Boston over Miami 4-2

Western Conference Semifinals

4 Oklahoma City (-360) vs. 8 Memphis (+280)

PG - Russell Westbrook vs. Mike Conley
SG - Thabo Sefolosha vs. Sam Young
SF - Kevin Durant vs. Tony Allen
PF - Serge Ibaka vs. Zach Randolph
C - Kendrick Perkins vs. Marc Gasol
Bench - Oklahoma City vs. Memphis
Coach - Scott Brooks vs. Lionel Hollins

I had both of these teams going out in the 1st Round - boy was I wrong. Oklahoma City thumped Denver and proved that they were ready to take the next step. Memphis proved that a nice blend of youth and experience coupled with a defensive mindset can go a long way in pulling a playoff upset.  Now one of these small market teams will be moving on to the Western Conference Finals. I think the Thunder learned a lot from the experience of last season, and the Grizzlies may not be ready to take that next step. While, Memphis has an advantage in the frontcourt, the dynamic duo of Westbrook and Durant will lead the Thunder to new heights.

Prediction - Oklahoma City over Memphis 4-2

2 LA Lakers (-400) vs. 3 Dallas (+360)

PG - Derek Fisher vs. Jason Kidd
SG - Kobe Bryant vs. Roddy Beaubois
SF - Ron Artest vs. Shawn Marion
PF - Pau Gasol vs. Dirk Nowitzki
C - Andrew Bynum vs. Tyson Chandler
Bench - LA Lakers vs. Dallas
Coach - Phil Jackson vs. Rick Carlisle

In the last decade, both of these teams made the playoffs 9 times yet they have not met in a playoff series since 1988. That will end Monday when they tip off their best of 7 series at Staples Center. Both teams come in off of hard fought 6-game series victories. The Lakers were vulnerable at times, but received contributions from the likes of Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom to help Kobe out. The Mavs also showed some vulnerability, blowing a 23-point lead in Game 3 to lose in Portalnd. They too got contributions from outside of their star, Dirk Nowitzki. Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler were huge for the Mavs. This series is going to come down to who has the best supporting cast. I think that belongs to the Lakers.

Prediction - LA Lakers over Dallas 4-2