i would never want to meet utah in the playoffs, playing in their court is notoriously known for being hard to beat them in.
here's who i want to play in the playoffs in the first round: 1) denver - we'll beat them with ease (tracy owns them) and shane owns melo. 2) dallas - i just don't fear them this year for some reason. but the jet still kills us. but i don't mind facing them. their offense isn't what it was and they aren't as deep as they used to. 3) suns - we match up EXTREMELY well with this team. yao and shaq may cancel each other out initially, but it's a 7 game series and shaq will wear out. tracy and artest have mismatches in this series. 4) hornets - again, we match up EXTREMELY well with this team. don't face (until 2nd round) 1) utah - we can beat them, but again, for our psyche, don't face them with the 1st round monkey on our backs 2) blazers - this team can defend yao and oden has really improved their interior and overall defense. 3) spurs - they're just very experienced. they'll work us hard. don't face till the WCF 1) lakers - for obvious reasons
This is how I see it playing out in the end. 1. Lakers 2. Jazz 3. Rockets 4. Nuggets 5. Hornets (Home court advantage) 6. Blazers 7. Spurs 8. Mavericks Lakers win in 5 over the Mavs Spurs win in 7 over the Jazz Rockets win in 6 over the Blazers Hornets in 6 over the Nuggets Rockets win in 7 over the Spurs Lakers win in 6 over the Hornets Lakers win in 6 over the Rockets. 1. Celtics 2. Cavs 3. Magic 4. Pistons 5. Sixers 6. Hawks 7. Raptors 8. Nets Celtics in 4 over the Nets Cavs in 5 over the Raptors Magic in 7 over the Hawks Pistons in 6 over the Sixers Cavs in 6 over the Magic Celtics in 6 over the Pistons Celtics in 7 over the Cavs Finals: Lakers in 7 over the Celtics.. congrats fakers
