No clear favorite in the 1st round?

[Yosemite Dan]

How cool is this, just looking at the likely scenarios in the 1st round playoffs for the West and I don't see a clear cut favorite in any matchup.

Phoenix-Memphis: Memphis is a different team since Fratello took over and look like they match up well and with the Suns the jury's still out on whether thier run and gun style will be as effective in the playoffs. A well coached opposing team could give them fits and memphis fits the bill.

San Antonio-Denver: Unknown how effective Duncan can be and Denver is the last team anyone wants to face right now for obvious reasons.

Dallas-Sacramento: anytime these 2 play it's a toss up as they're pretty much mirror images of themselves.

Seattle-Houston- Seattle is in the same boat as the Suns and it's hard to bet against the Rockets the way they've played the second half.

I can't remember the last time in any sport where I literally think it's a toss up in all four matches in the 1st round of the playoffs. Now if Miami and Detroit meet in the East final then this could be the best playoffs in years.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

I guess you're right, although I think all the better seeds will win in the first round. I'm on the Dallas bandwagon for the post-season, and I hope they win it all.

[dieselboy]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

Sonics are probably in trouble...

[nkhera1]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

I agree all of all the potential upsets I think the Houston one is the most likely to happen.

[Playmakers]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

In years past the Mavs vs Kings series would have been high scoring up and down basketball. But Don Nelson doesn't reside in Dallas anymore and Avery Johnson has really balanced this team out. Dallas now attacks defensively to setup their offense.

The Kings are walking right into a buzzsaw.

[RailStone]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

In years past the Mavs vs Kings series would have been high scoring up and down basketball. But Don Nelson doesn't reside in Dallas anymore and Avery Johnson has really balanced this team out. Dallas now attacks defensively to setup their offense.

The Kings are walking right into a buzzsaw.

Denver is only one game behind sacramento. That dallas/sacramento matchup may not happen.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

Of all the teams in the Western playoffs, I'm scared of San Antonio and Memphis the most. San Antonio is the favorite to win, I dont care what anyone says. If Duncan is going, the Spurs are going, and going hard. I dont see anyone stopping them. I'm scared of Memphis b/c they can run if they want to, plus they play LOTS of defense and they're 10 deep.

I think Phoenix will have their hands full with Memphis.

[Jebby]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

I hope the Bulls can avoid playing the Pacers. They play their asses off regardless of how many players they have dressed for the game. BTW, what's the word on Jermaine O'Neal? Is he gonna be on the playoff roster or is he hurt too bad?

[ShaKobe]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

This year's playoffs should be a lot of fun to watch. Every series in the west is going to be intense.

Suns vs Grizz = 4-2 Phoenix
Spurs vs Nuggets = 4-3 San Antonio (if Duncan is healthy), 4-2 Denver (if he isn't)
Mavs vs Kings = 4-2 Dallas
Sonics vs Rockets = 4-2 Houston

The seedings could change within the next 6 days. The Kings, Rockets, and Nuggets are all .5 games apart from each other.

[Vince]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

Memphis isn't in the playoffs yet...And their schedule down the stretch is brutal.

[ShaKobe]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

Memphis isn't in the playoffs yet...And their schedule down the stretch is brutal.

True, but here is what the situation looks like right now.

Grizz - 44-34
TWolves - 41-37

The Wolves are 3 games back. This is their schedules.

Grizz
4/15 @ Denver
4/16 @ San Antonio
4/18 San Antonio
4/20 Dallas

Wolves
4/15 @ Utah
4/17 Seattle
4/18 @ New Orleans
4/20 San Antonio

The magic number for the Grizzles is one. If they can just win one out of the four remaining games they have, they got the 8th. They own the tie-breaker with Minny, winning the season series 3-1. Personally, I don't see the Wolves catching them and sneaking in. But ya never know.

[RockinDaMike]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

well the grizzlies have killed us twice this year. they ended our first win streak! i'll be honest, memphis was the scariest team to face in the first round, i was praying for denver to be #8

[ShaKobe]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

well the grizzlies have killed us twice this year. they ended our first win streak! i'll be honest, memphis was the scariest team to face in the first round, i was praying for denver to be #8

Isn't that weird how matchups work? The Nuggets are arguably the hottest team in the L, and I don't think anyone wants to see them. Except maybe Suns. The Suns seem to be able to stop and beat the Nuggets. They've done it twice in the last 30 or so games.

[Vince]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

Grizz
4/15 @ Denver
4/16 @ San Antonio
4/18 San Antonio
4/20 Dallas

Wolves
4/15 @ Utah
4/17 Seattle
4/18 @ New Orleans
4/20 San Antonio

1 down 3 to go...Memphis has to go to San Antone tonight...This is gonna go down to the wire I think.Memphis has way too many tough games.The Wolves face Seattle tomorrow,who's nicked up.They'll win at NO and they get San Antone at home.Could be one of the biggest collapses ever by the Grizz.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: No clear favorite in the 1st round?

Yeah, I wish we could play Denver over Memphis, but probably not gonna happen. If Minnesota sneaks in, from a basketball standpoint it'd be GREAT, as I'd love for Garnett to be where he belongs, in the playoffs........but from a Suns standpoint, that'd mean Minnesota is HOT, and seeing as how the Suns always have trouble against the Wolves (maybe not this year), I wouldnt want to play them .