Post by GP on Jul 9, 2007 0:34:58 GMT -5
#4 Toronto Raptors
vs
#1 Chicago Bulls
The Matchup:
The Bulls enter this series after surviving a scare at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers in round one. While the Raptors make the semis by virtue of taking care of the Atlanta Hawks in their series. What is safe to say is there will be scoring and alot of it, as Toronto and Chicago are among the top scoring teams in the entire league.
Key Players:
Dwayne Wade G Raptors- The Kobe of the East perhaps with his style of play. Wade may be the key to an upset of the mighty Bulls if he is able to get on a roll. Currently he is the top scorer in the years' playoffs and should be a handful for the Bulls' Joe Johnson and corps.
Manu Ginobilli G Bulls- The fuel that makes the Bulls go is the key for Chicago by far in this series. He has to deal with another great point guard in Gilbert Arenas as well as youngster Kirk Hinrich. Yet after leading the league in assists this year, Ginobilli should fare just fine.
Result:
Bulls win series 4-2- The Wade factor alone is good enough for two wins in these playoffs but the Raptors simply do not have the depth or talent needed to take out the Bulls. Barring an injury, the Bulls should cruise to the eastern conference finals and most likely to the BBS Finals.
Projected Lineups:
TOR
C Joel Pryzbilla
PF Robert Traylor
SF Dwayne Wade
SG Gilbert Arenas
PG Kirk Hinrich
CHI
C Marcus Camby
PF Elton Brand
SF Dirk Nowitzki
SG Joe Johnson
PG Manu Ginobilli
#3 Detroit Pistons
vs
#2 New York Knicks
The Matchup:
It's that time of year again it seems when the Pistons suffer a big injury. This time it is to the soon ex-Piston big man, Shaquille O'Neal but Detroit also has Theo Ratliff lost to a leg injury.
The Knicks enter the series flying high on their win against Atlantic division rival Washington Wizards. Both teams have tons of star talent and tactics so those may influential factors in this series.
Key Players:
Darko Milicic C Pistons- Can the youngster hold down Yao for the entire series? That will be the big question as Darko has been used as a reserve throughout most of the regular season. He's in a big spot in this semifinal matchup and will have to platoon duties with Fransico Elson in controlling Ming.
Tony Parker G Knicks- A great addition from Memphis, Parker has been a revelation for this team this year. He can be X-Factor in this series. And if he can get going against TJ Ford and the Pistons, the Knicks could be in the East Finals.
Result:
Pistons win 4-3- Reilly should be able to make adjustments to contain Yao and the forward spots will be key if they beat the Knicks. If the Knicks are to suffer an injury in this series, they will not be able to compete as much since their depth does not match up with that of Detroit's.
Projected Lineups:
DET
C Darko Milicic
PF Francisco Elson
SF Ron Artest
SG LeBron James
PG TJ Ford
NYK
C Yao Ming
PF Samuel Dalembert
SF Larry Hughes
SG Derek Anderson
PG Tony Parker
vs
#1 Chicago Bulls
The Matchup:
The Bulls enter this series after surviving a scare at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers in round one. While the Raptors make the semis by virtue of taking care of the Atlanta Hawks in their series. What is safe to say is there will be scoring and alot of it, as Toronto and Chicago are among the top scoring teams in the entire league.
Key Players:
Dwayne Wade G Raptors- The Kobe of the East perhaps with his style of play. Wade may be the key to an upset of the mighty Bulls if he is able to get on a roll. Currently he is the top scorer in the years' playoffs and should be a handful for the Bulls' Joe Johnson and corps.
Manu Ginobilli G Bulls- The fuel that makes the Bulls go is the key for Chicago by far in this series. He has to deal with another great point guard in Gilbert Arenas as well as youngster Kirk Hinrich. Yet after leading the league in assists this year, Ginobilli should fare just fine.
Result:
Bulls win series 4-2- The Wade factor alone is good enough for two wins in these playoffs but the Raptors simply do not have the depth or talent needed to take out the Bulls. Barring an injury, the Bulls should cruise to the eastern conference finals and most likely to the BBS Finals.
Projected Lineups:
TOR
C Joel Pryzbilla
PF Robert Traylor
SF Dwayne Wade
SG Gilbert Arenas
PG Kirk Hinrich
CHI
C Marcus Camby
PF Elton Brand
SF Dirk Nowitzki
SG Joe Johnson
PG Manu Ginobilli
#3 Detroit Pistons
vs
#2 New York Knicks
The Matchup:
It's that time of year again it seems when the Pistons suffer a big injury. This time it is to the soon ex-Piston big man, Shaquille O'Neal but Detroit also has Theo Ratliff lost to a leg injury.
The Knicks enter the series flying high on their win against Atlantic division rival Washington Wizards. Both teams have tons of star talent and tactics so those may influential factors in this series.
Key Players:
Darko Milicic C Pistons- Can the youngster hold down Yao for the entire series? That will be the big question as Darko has been used as a reserve throughout most of the regular season. He's in a big spot in this semifinal matchup and will have to platoon duties with Fransico Elson in controlling Ming.
Tony Parker G Knicks- A great addition from Memphis, Parker has been a revelation for this team this year. He can be X-Factor in this series. And if he can get going against TJ Ford and the Pistons, the Knicks could be in the East Finals.
Result:
Pistons win 4-3- Reilly should be able to make adjustments to contain Yao and the forward spots will be key if they beat the Knicks. If the Knicks are to suffer an injury in this series, they will not be able to compete as much since their depth does not match up with that of Detroit's.
Projected Lineups:
DET
C Darko Milicic
PF Francisco Elson
SF Ron Artest
SG LeBron James
PG TJ Ford
NYK
C Yao Ming
PF Samuel Dalembert
SF Larry Hughes
SG Derek Anderson
PG Tony Parker