2013 NBA Playoffs - Conference Semifinals Preview

The Conference Quarterfinals officially come to a close tonight and the Semifinals tip off tomorrow afternoon. Miami is still the clear favorite to win their second consecutive title. Injuries are playing a huge role right now. The biggest one is probably the loss of Russell Westbrook for the Thunder, which has shifted the power in the West. It is the healthiest team that wins the title just as often as the most talented. Luckily for Miami, they appear to be both of those at the moment. Who is going to rise up and prove to be a contender other than the Heat? We will find out soon enough. 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 Miami (-1400) vs. 5 Chicago (+1000)

PG - Mario Chalmers vs. Kirk Hinrich
SG - Dwayne Wade vs. Marco Belinelli
SF - LeBron James vs. Luol Deng
PF - Udonis Haslem vs. Carlos Boozer
C - Chris Bosh vs. Joakim Noah
Bench - Miami vs. Chicago
Coach - Erik Spoelstra vs. Tom Thibodeau

Miami swept through Milwaukee in the opening round with relative ease. The Bucks were able to keep it close for a half in most games, but the Heat proved to be far too talented in the end. They are the clear cut favorite to win another NBA title. The Bulls showed what strength and determination can do for a team. Their roster has been decimated by injury, and they still found a way to sneak past the Nets and advance. Chicago got major contributions from Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli last round to help them make up for the losses of others. They will need to contribute even more if the Bulls have any prayer at getting past the Heat. I don't think the Bulls have what it takes to get past the Heat this season. But their strength and determination will be enough to make the Heat sweat a little more than they did last round.

Prediction - Miami over Chicago 4-1

      
2 New York (-200) vs. 3 Indiana (+170)

PG - Raymond Felton vs. George Hill
SG - Pablo Prigioni vs. Lance Stephenson
SF - Iman Shumpert vs. Paul George
PF - Carmelo Anothony vs. David West
C - Tyson Chandler vs. Roy Hibbert
Bench - New York vs. Indiana
Coach - Mike Woodson vs. Frank Vogel

Knicks versus Pacers brings back good memories of Spike Lee and Reggie Miller. The Knicks looked like a team that could challenge Miami through the first three games of their series with Boston. They fell back down to earth a little, but still managed to make into the Conference Semis for the first time since 2000. Indiana is playing in the Conference Semis for the second year in a row. Paul George is an emerging star and will need to go tit for tat with Melo if the Pacers want to advance to the Conference Finals. This is going to be a knock down, drag 'em out series. I see the Knicks using the homecourt advantage to ultimately continue their postseason run.

Prediction - New York over Indiana 4-2

Western Conference Semifinals

      
1 Oklahoma City (+110) vs. 5 Memphis (-130)

PG - Reggie Jackson vs. Mike Conley Jr.
SG - Thabo Sefolosha vs. Tony Allen
SF - Kevin Durant vs. Tayshaun Prince
PF - Serge Ibaka vs. Zach Randolph
C - Kendrick Perkins vs. Marc Gasol
Bench - Oklahoma City vs, Memphis
Coach - Scott Brooks vs. Lionel Hollins

The title hopes of the Oklahoma City Thunder took a severe hit when it was announced that Russell Westbrook required knee surgery for a torn meniscus. After a scare, they were able to hang on and advance past the Houston Rockets. The Thunder looked like they were on a collision course to face the Heat in the Finals again, but things have changed a bit. The Grizzlies have looked superb in their last four games. Memphis has the best big man tandem in the league in Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. Believe it or not, a lot of people are now expecting the Grizzlies to win this series. I am one of those people. The loss of Westbrook will be too much to overcome for OKC against a team so solid all around like Memphis.

Prediction - Memphis over Oklahoma City 4-3

      
2 San Antonio (-700) vs. 6 Golden State (+500)

PG - Tony Parker vs. Stephen Curry
SG - Danny Green vs. Klay Thompson
SF - Kawhi Leonard vs. Harrison Barnes
PF - Tim Duncan vs. David Lee
C - Tiago Splitter vs. Andrew Bogut
Bench - San Antonio vs. Golden State
Coach - Gregg Popovich vs. Mark Jackson

 The Spurs have been overlooked for much of the season, thanks in large part to how they bowed out last season. The Warriors have been overlooked simply because they are the Warriors. San Antonio did some of their aging bodies a favor by making quick work and sweeping the Lakers in the Quarters. The Spurs feel confident that they can win their first title since 2007. The Warriors had no expectations coming into the year, but now they do. This team has no fear and feels like they can make some franchise history this year. The Golden State Warriors have made the Conference Finals three times, all in the 70s. This team is on the verge.

Prediction - San Antonio over Golden State 4-2