Hoops playoff preview
Mavericks fans prepare for an exciting series.
Here's how the pro basketball championship tournament will go for the Portland Trail Blazers. They play the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, with the winner of that series to play the winner of the Los Angeles Lakers-New Orleans Hornets series. The victor in that second round will face the San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, or Denver Nuggets. The first round matchups in the latter foursome are Spurs-Grizzlies and Thunder-Nuggets. (Note to self: Develop a candy bar line called Thunder Nuggets.)
So to make it to the NBA Finals, the Blazers would have to beat Dallas and most likely the Lakers and the Spurs as well. It can be done -- no, it will be done. Go Portland!
The matchups in the east are the Chicago Bulls vs. the Indiana Pacers, paired with the Orlando Magic vs. the Atlanta Hawks; and the Boston Celtics vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, paired with the Miami Heat vs. the New York Knicks. It's hard not to see Boston vs. Miami in the second round -- that's a matchup that the TV executives are drooling over. Da Bullss should stomp Indiana, but Orlando vs. Atlanta may not be as much of a romp for the Floridians as some are predicting.
The league finals will be Miami vs. Portland, with the Blazers prevailing in 7 games. Remember, you read it here.
| Posted at 8:17 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (10)
Thunder nuggets? Sounds like unintended consequences to me.
Posted by Allan L. | April 14, 2011 9:58 AM
Just last night I was saying to myself: Bulls versus the Blazers in the Finals.
Hey, it's possible. Remember when Golden State went on a roll through the playoffs?
I realize my age is showing. Actually, it happens a lot like when someone was saying no Republican could be elected in Oregon. I thought, "Packwood, Hatfield, Atiyeh."
I was really tense when the Kings came back from 20-down in the 4th quarter last night. I don't want the Blazers to face the Lakers - simply because they make me sick. Did you see Kobe last night? He was jumping around like he was 100 grand lighter.
Posted by Bill McDonald | April 14, 2011 10:22 AM
I am very glad that the Blazers won't have to face the Lakers until the second round. Gives the Blazers a chance to win a playoff series!
Posted by Brendan | April 14, 2011 10:24 AM
Thunder Nuggets sounds more like a cereal than a candy bar.
Or something that happens after eating too much cereal and candy bars.
Posted by none | April 14, 2011 10:43 AM
Gutsy call Jack, but with Portlandia being shown on TV the execs will make sure they don't showcase Portland.
Posted by Skipper Bob | April 14, 2011 12:31 PM
Re: "and the Boston Celtics vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, paired with the Miami Heat vs. the New York Knicks."
The NBA has announced the Celtics-Knicks playoff schedule, and Comcast New England has confirmed it will broadcast Games 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.
The schedule:
Game 1 - Sunday, April 17, New York at Boston, 7 p.m., TNT, CSN
Game 2 - Tuesday, April 19, New York at Boston, 7p.m., TNT, CSN
Game 3 - Friday, April 22, Boston at New York, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, CSN
Game 4 - Sunday, April 24, Boston at New York, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/R
Game 5 * Tuesday, April 26, New York at Boston, TBD, CSN
Game 6 * Friday, April 29, Boston at New York, TBD, CSN
Game 7 * Sunday, May 1, New York at Boston, TBD, TBD
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2011/04/celtics-knicks_1.html
The roster:
http://boston.stats.com/nba/teamstats.asp?teamno=02&type=roster&p1=SportsNav_Celtics_Roster
Posted by Gardiner Menefree | April 14, 2011 4:15 PM
Jack, Nice group pix of the cast from Dallas!
It has been years that I've seen a picture of Charleane Tilton...... You have to excuse me Jack as I feel a little bit snug in my jeans.
Posted by Jeff | April 14, 2011 8:04 PM
"It can be done--no, it WILL be done"
Jack, that's exactly what Randy says when thinking about a new way to spend our money!
Posted by Michelle | April 15, 2011 7:27 AM
I honestly hope that you're right on this, Jack. The Mavericks could use a good shakeout. (I have to admit that I'm protective of the Mavericks, having been a fan since the early Nineties, but I'm the first to admit that they need a good kick in the butt to keep them in line from time to time. They get stomped a few times, and the rest of the season turns into some exceptional basketball.)
Posted by Texas Triffid Ranch | April 15, 2011 8:16 AM
Jack, you are fooling yourself if you think Labron James stands a chance against Derrick Rose and the Bulls. Finals will likely be Chicago vs. San Antonio.
Posted by Jen | April 15, 2011 2:06 PM