Western Conference Playoff Preview
The 2005 NBA Western Conference Playoffs seeding has been finalized. It has been a tough race, but the best teams won out. Goodbye to last season's Western Conference finalists the Minnesota Timberwolves and L.A. Lakers. Both teams struggles mirrored each other this season. L.A. Lakers SG Kobe Bryant wasn't happy and GM Mitch Kupchak cleaned house and secured horrific results. Minnesota Timberwolves SG Latrell Sprewell couldn't feed his family on less than $13 million a season, and his unhappiness lead them to a disappointing season. In the history of the 7 game playoff series the 1st game winner is 249-68 in winning the series. Let's look at the teams with enough chemistry to make the playoffs this year.
#1 Phoenix Suns vs #8 Memphis Grizzlies
(110.41 PPG #1 in Scoring) (93.42 PPG #23 in Scoring)
(103.29 PPG #30 in Defense) (91.13 #14 in Defense)
(+7.12 #2 in Scoring Differential) (+2.29 #8 in Scoring Differential)
Eventhough the Grizzlies had a difficult time clinching their playoff slot, they stand a good chance to win this series if the NBA still had a 5 game opening playoff series. Over 7 games Memphis might not be able to be consistent enough to win. This season Memphis is 26-14 at home and 19-22 on the road. Phoenix on the other hand is 31-10 at home and 31-9 on the road. On the season both teams won one game at home and one game on the road. All four games were decided by less than 11 points.
Regular Season Series: tied 2 - 2
Dec 23: at Phoenix 109, Memphis 102
Jan 19: Memphis 88, at Phoenix 79
Feb 1: at Memphis 108, Phoenix 97
Mar 20: Phoenix 97, at Memphis 91
During the playoff series the Suns 3 point sharpshooters PF Shawn Marion (33.7%), SG Joe Johnson (47.7%), PG Steve Nash (43.1%), SF Quentin Richardson (35.8%), and 6th Man Jim Jackson (46.2%) will pose a formidable challenge when matched with C Amare Stoudemire in the paint. The Grizzlies won't go out without a fight though. If they can go back to their previous style of play before PF Pau Gasol came back from his injury.
They need to run more pick and roll to get open shots for SG Mike Miller (43.4 3PT%, 50.5 FG%), SG Bonzi Wells (35.0 3PT%, 43.9 FG%), SF Shane Battier (39.6 3PT%, 44.3 FG%). If the Grizzlies pick and roll open up shots for their big men they should be able to get some high percentage conversions from the good shooting of C Lorenzen Wright (47.0 FG%), PF Pau Gasol (50.9 FG%), and C Stromile Swift (45.2 FG%). The Phoenix Suns win this series in 6 games (4-2).
Head to Head
PG Steve Nash vs. Jason Williams
SG Joe Johnson vs. Mike Miller
SF Quentin Richardson vs. Shane Battier
PF Shawn Marion vs. Pau Gasol
C Amare Stoudemire vs. Lorenzen Wright
#2 San Antonio Spurs vs #7 Denver Nuggets
(96.19 PPG #18 in Scoring) (99.52 PPG #8 in Scoring)
(88.39 PPG #1 in Defense) (97.50 #17 in Defense)
(+7.8 #1 in Scoring Differential) (+2.02 #10 in Scoring Differential)
This series will be a huge fight for tempo. The Nuggets want to fast break and play a fast paced game. That pace will allow PF Kenyon Martin and SF Carmelo Anthony to finish on easy baskets. The Spurs want a slow half court game to showcase the talents of PF Tim Duncan. Duncan will have to recover from a late ankle injury in order for the Spurs to win. The playoffs will be the first time that these teams will face eachother at full strength.
The Nuggets running at altitude has them in better shape for fourth quarter defensive shutdowns. The Nuggets have won 20 of their last 21 at home. They just need to continue their home dominance and this series will be the upset of the Western Conference. The Spurs have a lot more playoff experience, but they haven' t won a championship since David Robinson's retirement. Overall the Nuggets win this series in 6 games (4-2).
Regular Season Series: tied 2 - 2
Nov 26: San Antonio 89, at Denver 75
Jan 8: at San Antonio 99, Denver 90
Mar 12: Denver 90, at San Antonio 87
Apr 1: at Denver 102, San Antonio 84
Head to Head
PG Andre Miller vs. Tony Parker
SG DerMarr Johnson vs. Manu Ginobili
SF Carmelo Anthony vs. Bruce Bowen
PF Kenyon Martin vs. Tim Duncan
C Marcus Camby vs. Nazr Mohammed
#3 Seattle SuperSonics vs #6 Sacramento Kings
(98.93 PPG #11 in Scoring) (103.72 PPG #2 in Scoring)
(96.64 PPG #13 in Defense) (101.56 #26 in Defense)
(+2.29 #7 in Scoring Differential) (+2.15 #9 in Scoring Differential)
The SuperSonics have too many weapons for Sacramento to cover. I think the Kings are going to miss PF Chris Webber this year. SG Cuttino Mobley is going to struggle to cover SG Ray Allen, and SF Peja Stojakovic cannot cover SF Rashard Lewis. Peja is returning from a late season groin injury. Overall the SuperSonics win in 5 games (4-1).
Regular Season Series: Seattle leads 3 - 1
Nov 10: at Seattle 108, Sacramento 78
Feb 1: Seattle 106, at Sacramento 101
Feb 10: at Seattle 115, Sacramento 107
Apr 5: at Sacramento 122, Seattle 101
Head to Head
PG Luke Ridnour vs. Mike Bibby
SG Ray Allen vs. Cuttino Mobley
SF Rashard Lewis vs. Peja Stojakovic
PF Reggie Evans vs. Kenny Thomas
C Jerome James vs. Brian Skinner
#4 Dallas Mavericks vs #5 Houston Rockets
(102.5 PPG #3 in Scoring) (95.07 PPG #20 in Scoring)
(96.75 PPG #14 in Defense) (91.03 #3 in Defense)
(+5.74 #4 in Scoring Differential) (+4.03 #5 in Scoring Differential)
Houston looks like the better overall team solely because they play better defense. The Mavericks shouldn't be overlooked, but their lack of good perimeter defense leaves them exposed. C Erick Dampier has to cover C Yao Ming and I don't think he's up to the job. SF Tracy McGrady is going to score a ton against the Mavericks lax perimeter defense. Houston wins in 5 games (4-1).
Regular Season Series: tied 2 - 2
Dec 2: at Dallas 113, Houston 106
Dec 11: Dallas 102, at Houston 78
Jan 12: Houston 124, at Dallas 114
Mar 6: at Houston 90, Dallas 69
Head to Head
PG Jason Terry vs. Bob Sura
SG Michael Finley vs. David Wesley
SF Josh Howard vs. Tracy McGrady
PF Dirk Nowitzki vs. Clarence Weatherspoon
C Erick Dampier vs. Yao Ming
#1 Phoenix Suns vs #8 Memphis Grizzlies
(110.41 PPG #1 in Scoring) (93.42 PPG #23 in Scoring)
(103.29 PPG #30 in Defense) (91.13 #14 in Defense)
(+7.12 #2 in Scoring Differential) (+2.29 #8 in Scoring Differential)
Eventhough the Grizzlies had a difficult time clinching their playoff slot, they stand a good chance to win this series if the NBA still had a 5 game opening playoff series. Over 7 games Memphis might not be able to be consistent enough to win. This season Memphis is 26-14 at home and 19-22 on the road. Phoenix on the other hand is 31-10 at home and 31-9 on the road. On the season both teams won one game at home and one game on the road. All four games were decided by less than 11 points.
Regular Season Series: tied 2 - 2
Dec 23: at Phoenix 109, Memphis 102
Jan 19: Memphis 88, at Phoenix 79
Feb 1: at Memphis 108, Phoenix 97
Mar 20: Phoenix 97, at Memphis 91
During the playoff series the Suns 3 point sharpshooters PF Shawn Marion (33.7%), SG Joe Johnson (47.7%), PG Steve Nash (43.1%), SF Quentin Richardson (35.8%), and 6th Man Jim Jackson (46.2%) will pose a formidable challenge when matched with C Amare Stoudemire in the paint. The Grizzlies won't go out without a fight though. If they can go back to their previous style of play before PF Pau Gasol came back from his injury.
They need to run more pick and roll to get open shots for SG Mike Miller (43.4 3PT%, 50.5 FG%), SG Bonzi Wells (35.0 3PT%, 43.9 FG%), SF Shane Battier (39.6 3PT%, 44.3 FG%). If the Grizzlies pick and roll open up shots for their big men they should be able to get some high percentage conversions from the good shooting of C Lorenzen Wright (47.0 FG%), PF Pau Gasol (50.9 FG%), and C Stromile Swift (45.2 FG%). The Phoenix Suns win this series in 6 games (4-2).
Head to Head
PG Steve Nash vs. Jason Williams
SG Joe Johnson vs. Mike Miller
SF Quentin Richardson vs. Shane Battier
PF Shawn Marion vs. Pau Gasol
C Amare Stoudemire vs. Lorenzen Wright
#2 San Antonio Spurs vs #7 Denver Nuggets
(96.19 PPG #18 in Scoring) (99.52 PPG #8 in Scoring)
(88.39 PPG #1 in Defense) (97.50 #17 in Defense)
(+7.8 #1 in Scoring Differential) (+2.02 #10 in Scoring Differential)
This series will be a huge fight for tempo. The Nuggets want to fast break and play a fast paced game. That pace will allow PF Kenyon Martin and SF Carmelo Anthony to finish on easy baskets. The Spurs want a slow half court game to showcase the talents of PF Tim Duncan. Duncan will have to recover from a late ankle injury in order for the Spurs to win. The playoffs will be the first time that these teams will face eachother at full strength.
The Nuggets running at altitude has them in better shape for fourth quarter defensive shutdowns. The Nuggets have won 20 of their last 21 at home. They just need to continue their home dominance and this series will be the upset of the Western Conference. The Spurs have a lot more playoff experience, but they haven' t won a championship since David Robinson's retirement. Overall the Nuggets win this series in 6 games (4-2).
Regular Season Series: tied 2 - 2
Nov 26: San Antonio 89, at Denver 75
Jan 8: at San Antonio 99, Denver 90
Mar 12: Denver 90, at San Antonio 87
Apr 1: at Denver 102, San Antonio 84
Head to Head
PG Andre Miller vs. Tony Parker
SG DerMarr Johnson vs. Manu Ginobili
SF Carmelo Anthony vs. Bruce Bowen
PF Kenyon Martin vs. Tim Duncan
C Marcus Camby vs. Nazr Mohammed
#3 Seattle SuperSonics vs #6 Sacramento Kings
(98.93 PPG #11 in Scoring) (103.72 PPG #2 in Scoring)
(96.64 PPG #13 in Defense) (101.56 #26 in Defense)
(+2.29 #7 in Scoring Differential) (+2.15 #9 in Scoring Differential)
The SuperSonics have too many weapons for Sacramento to cover. I think the Kings are going to miss PF Chris Webber this year. SG Cuttino Mobley is going to struggle to cover SG Ray Allen, and SF Peja Stojakovic cannot cover SF Rashard Lewis. Peja is returning from a late season groin injury. Overall the SuperSonics win in 5 games (4-1).
Regular Season Series: Seattle leads 3 - 1
Nov 10: at Seattle 108, Sacramento 78
Feb 1: Seattle 106, at Sacramento 101
Feb 10: at Seattle 115, Sacramento 107
Apr 5: at Sacramento 122, Seattle 101
Head to Head
PG Luke Ridnour vs. Mike Bibby
SG Ray Allen vs. Cuttino Mobley
SF Rashard Lewis vs. Peja Stojakovic
PF Reggie Evans vs. Kenny Thomas
C Jerome James vs. Brian Skinner
#4 Dallas Mavericks vs #5 Houston Rockets
(102.5 PPG #3 in Scoring) (95.07 PPG #20 in Scoring)
(96.75 PPG #14 in Defense) (91.03 #3 in Defense)
(+5.74 #4 in Scoring Differential) (+4.03 #5 in Scoring Differential)
Houston looks like the better overall team solely because they play better defense. The Mavericks shouldn't be overlooked, but their lack of good perimeter defense leaves them exposed. C Erick Dampier has to cover C Yao Ming and I don't think he's up to the job. SF Tracy McGrady is going to score a ton against the Mavericks lax perimeter defense. Houston wins in 5 games (4-1).
Regular Season Series: tied 2 - 2
Dec 2: at Dallas 113, Houston 106
Dec 11: Dallas 102, at Houston 78
Jan 12: Houston 124, at Dallas 114
Mar 6: at Houston 90, Dallas 69
Head to Head
PG Jason Terry vs. Bob Sura
SG Michael Finley vs. David Wesley
SF Josh Howard vs. Tracy McGrady
PF Dirk Nowitzki vs. Clarence Weatherspoon
C Erick Dampier vs. Yao Ming
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home