1) Spurs vs. 8) Grizzlies- Tony Allen and Shane Battier will shut down Manu Ginobili. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol can contain Tim Duncan and Dejuan Blair. The Spurs got very unlucky with this draw and this series is going to wear them down.
Pick: Spurs in 7
2) Lakers vs. 7) Hornets- Chris Paul is the best PG in the game, but no way Lakers come close to losing this series. Kobe, Bynum, Gasol and crew are way too much to handle.
Pick: Lakers in 4
3) Mavericks vs. 6) Blazers- The Blazers have all the right players to cause problems for the Mavericks. LaMarcus Aldridge can guard Nowitzki and who else do the Mavs really have? Gerald Wallace was a huge addition for Portland and him as well as Aldridge Batum and Miller will help Portland win.
Pick: Blazers in 7
4) Nuggets vs. 5) Thunder- This will be the best series in the Western Conference. The Nuggets have the deepest bench in the league and have been committed to defense since Anthony left; but, the Thunder are legit. Kendrick Perkins toughened this team up and although this series will wear on them, they'll get through with the toughness and defense of Perkins and Ibaka and scoring ability of Durant and Westbrook.
Pick: Thunder in 7
Semifinals
1) Spurs vs. 4) Thunder- The Thunder are athletic, better offensively, and have two of the best one on one defenders in the league. No way the Spurs will win this series, they are too reliant on three point shooting and have become less defense oriented.
Pick: Thunder in 6
2) Lakers vs. 6) Blazers- Lakers are the best team in the West, don't see how the Blazers will win. They will put up a fight, but they don't have an answer for Gasol, Odom, and Bynum.
Pick: Lakers in 5
Conference Finals
2) Lakers vs. 4) Thunder- This series is very similar to the Heat and Bulls series. Either team can win but the Lakers have a slight edge. Perkins can stop Bynum and Ibaka can stop Gasol. Sefolosha can contain Bryant and Durant can contain Odom. Every matchup that the Lakers have an advantage over against other teams, the Thunder have an answer for. The Lakers' experience is their biggest advantage and they should win, but don't be surprised if the Thunder pull it out.
Pick: Lakers in 7
NBA FINALS
Lakers vs. Bulls
In this series, the Lakers' size will be too much to handle and although Tom Thibodeau can think of every defensive scheme there isn't really a scheme to stop two fundamentally sound 7 footers and a 6'10" point forward. Phil will get his last three peat and 12th championship and go out on the high road.
Pick: Lakers in 7
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