We'll start in the East:
Miami vs Milwaukee. (Heat 4-0)
As I stated in my preview the Bucks, an under .500 regular season team, had no business in the playoffs and they proved me right by losing in a mostly uncontested sweep to the Heat. Miami hardly broke a sweat in the four games and looks like they are prepared to repeat as NBA Champions.
New York vs Boston. (Knicks 4-2)
The Celtics fought hard and played pretty well all series even managing a win in New York in game 5. However they lost the first 3 games and no team has recovered from a 3-0 first round deficit. The Knicks went on to win game 6 in Boston, after losing 2 in a row, to close out the Celtics 4-2.
Indiana vs Atlanta. (Pacers 4-2)
The Hawks were who I thought they were despite winning their first two home games to tie the series at 2-2. The loss in game 5 was to much too handle and they only partially showed up in game 6 in Atlanta. My guess, vacation plans were already in process. Atlanta continues to be a Major league city that plays well in all sports during the regular season but falters when it matters.
Brooklyn vs Chicago. (Bulls 4-3)
This series went as predicted. The Bulls and the Nets played a tough, nail biting series with both teams winning games on the others court. I predicted if the Bulls can get the series to a game 7 they would win, and they did. The 4 vs 5 match up is always a pick-em and this one didn't disappoint. It was the only series to go 7 games in the first round.
With the Bulls victory I go 4-0 in the East. I didn't fare as well in the West. No one saw the Warriors coming or the sudden loss of All-Star Russell Westbrook in OKC.
Now, The unpredictable West:
Oklahoma City vs Houston. (Thunder 4-2)
The loss of Westbrook sent shock waves through the entire NBA family. It's tough enough for the players to adapt to playing without their on court leader, imagine being Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks. An NBA coach uses the 82 game regular season to fine tune the starting and reserve rotations for the playoffs, all of that preparation is thrown out. The game 3 win by OKC in Houston was an emotional one and put the Thunder up 3-0 in the series. Then reality set in as Houston wins games 4 and 5 with relative ease. It took good coaching and a gut check by the Thunder team to pull out a game 6 win in Houston. It took an entire team effort and that's what the Thunder got. With Westbrook, this series is a sweep. No rest for the weary, The Grizzlies come calling tomorrow.
San Antonio vs Los Angeles Lakers. (Spurs 4-0)
The loss of Kobe Bryant in the season finale was devastating to the Lakers. Kobe guaranteed they would make the playoffs, and they did, but they were never going to beat the Spurs without him. It would have been an uphill battle with Bryant. In fact, the Lakers were so depleted by the end of the series even their own announcers weren't sure who was on the court. The result, a painfully easy sweep for the Spurs and it came with and extended rest for one of the oldest teams in the playoffs.
Denver vs Golden State. (Warriors 4-2)
I don't think very many people saw this coming with the possible exception of Warrior head coach Mark Jackson. Denver won a tight game 1 at home by 2 and then Golden state reeled off 3 consecutive wins going away. I don't think Denver knew what hit them. Perhaps the loss of Gallinari hurt more than I originally though or the Nuggets were looking past the Warriors. Denver managed to win game 5 at home put it only postponed the inevitable game 6 victory by the Warriors at home.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Memphis. (Grizzlies 4-2)
This series went a lot like my prediction. Tough, hard fought contest with a lot of pushing and shoving. At times it looked as if the Clippers Blake Griffin and the Grizzlies Zach Randolph were involved in an MMA championship fight. However, I thought the Clippers would pull it out. I thought wrong. No one wants to play Memphis in a series, they are stingy defensively and they are...well...thugs. And, the Clippers were banged up going in. After winning the first two games in LA, holding Memphis to 91 each game, the Clippers looked good for a series win, however, once the Grizzlies got back to Memphis it all changed. Four games later and the Clippers were going on vacation.
So, I ended the Western Conference 2-2. My overall record stands at 6-2, not too bad. I think it just proves that the West is by far the stronger conference. Keep in mind though, it only takes one team to win it all. Looks like Buster and I will tie in the first round. Stay tuned for my second round picks!
For Buster.
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