Post by GP on Jul 8, 2007 23:56:43 GMT -5
#7 Denver Nuggets
vs
#3 Portland Trail Blazers
The Matchup:
The Nuggets enter this series after surprising the Mavs in their first round matchup and winning game seven. As for Portland, they enter the series after nearly sweeping the Spurs in their first round date with the Spurs.
Key Players:
Stephon Marbury G Blazers- One of the top scorers in this year's playoffs along with another suberb scorer in the backcourt, Jason Richardson. Coney Island's finest point guard should be able to outmanuevar and outplay the Nuggets' Delonte West.
Pau Gasol C Nuggets- A late season addition for Denver, Gasol has really made a difference in the Nuggets front court. He also should have a signifigant advantage on Erik Dampier but perhaps not on power forward Emeka Okafor.
Result:
Blazers win series 4-2- This result could change if adjustments are made on either side but at this point, the Blazers seem to have the advantage. Portland has a dynamic backcourt that may be devastating to Denver's backcourt however the Nuggets counter with their superior frontcourt. Another key to this series if Ducky can utilize forward Josh Smith against the weaker Bobby Simmons at the small foward slot.
Projected Lineups:
POR
C Erik Dampier
PF Emeka Okafor
SF Bobby Simmons
SG Jason Richardson
PG Stephon Marbury
DEN
C Pau Gasol
PF Andrei Kirilenko
SF Josh Smith
SG Stephen Jackson
PG Delonte West
#5 Phoenix Suns
vs
#1 Golden State Warriors
The Matchup:
On paper, the Suns are the obvious underdogs in this series. But in their defense, the Suns snuck into the playoffs at the No. 5 seed after struggling throughout the season. They now play the favorite to win out in the west, the Golden State Warriors. Baron Davis and Kobe Bryant have the best backcourt in the playoffs at the moment and should be able to have their way with Mike Bibby and Tracy McGrady.
Key Players:
Kobe Bryant G Warriors- This team could go as far as Bryant's scoring ability takes them. He feeds off of Davis, who is great scorer himself, and should run the Suns ragged throughout their series.
Ben Wallace C Suns- Could one defensive stopper shut down the paint for the Warriors? The smart money favors Oakland but you can never count out Big Ben. Wallace is averaging nearly four blocks a game during this postseason and should be key if the Suns have any chance in this matchup.
Result:
Warriors win 4-1- There is always an outside chance that the Warriors sustain a major injury to Bryant or Davis perhaps but they way they are going the chances of that are low. Still the Suns should be able to pull out one or two at home with their defensive tactics.
Projected Lineups:
PHO
C Ben Wallace
PF Chris Webber
SF Yaroslav Korolev
SG Tracy McGrady
PG Mike Bibby
GSW
C Scott Pollard
PF Aaron Williams
SF Vince Carter
SG Kobe Bryant
PG Baron Davis
vs
#3 Portland Trail Blazers
The Matchup:
The Nuggets enter this series after surprising the Mavs in their first round matchup and winning game seven. As for Portland, they enter the series after nearly sweeping the Spurs in their first round date with the Spurs.
Key Players:
Stephon Marbury G Blazers- One of the top scorers in this year's playoffs along with another suberb scorer in the backcourt, Jason Richardson. Coney Island's finest point guard should be able to outmanuevar and outplay the Nuggets' Delonte West.
Pau Gasol C Nuggets- A late season addition for Denver, Gasol has really made a difference in the Nuggets front court. He also should have a signifigant advantage on Erik Dampier but perhaps not on power forward Emeka Okafor.
Result:
Blazers win series 4-2- This result could change if adjustments are made on either side but at this point, the Blazers seem to have the advantage. Portland has a dynamic backcourt that may be devastating to Denver's backcourt however the Nuggets counter with their superior frontcourt. Another key to this series if Ducky can utilize forward Josh Smith against the weaker Bobby Simmons at the small foward slot.
Projected Lineups:
POR
C Erik Dampier
PF Emeka Okafor
SF Bobby Simmons
SG Jason Richardson
PG Stephon Marbury
DEN
C Pau Gasol
PF Andrei Kirilenko
SF Josh Smith
SG Stephen Jackson
PG Delonte West
#5 Phoenix Suns
vs
#1 Golden State Warriors
The Matchup:
On paper, the Suns are the obvious underdogs in this series. But in their defense, the Suns snuck into the playoffs at the No. 5 seed after struggling throughout the season. They now play the favorite to win out in the west, the Golden State Warriors. Baron Davis and Kobe Bryant have the best backcourt in the playoffs at the moment and should be able to have their way with Mike Bibby and Tracy McGrady.
Key Players:
Kobe Bryant G Warriors- This team could go as far as Bryant's scoring ability takes them. He feeds off of Davis, who is great scorer himself, and should run the Suns ragged throughout their series.
Ben Wallace C Suns- Could one defensive stopper shut down the paint for the Warriors? The smart money favors Oakland but you can never count out Big Ben. Wallace is averaging nearly four blocks a game during this postseason and should be key if the Suns have any chance in this matchup.
Result:
Warriors win 4-1- There is always an outside chance that the Warriors sustain a major injury to Bryant or Davis perhaps but they way they are going the chances of that are low. Still the Suns should be able to pull out one or two at home with their defensive tactics.
Projected Lineups:
PHO
C Ben Wallace
PF Chris Webber
SF Yaroslav Korolev
SG Tracy McGrady
PG Mike Bibby
GSW
C Scott Pollard
PF Aaron Williams
SF Vince Carter
SG Kobe Bryant
PG Baron Davis