Kleeman's Last Word

Bold Playoff Predictions

With SXSW done and in the books, it's back to NBA obsession and eventually MLB coverage. The season has come down to the final wires and many bottom-rung teams are fighting not to be shorted out in the playoff race. As usual, I have some opinionated opinions about which teams will make the final 16 and which 14 teams will be fishing come April.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
1 - Dallas Mavericks
2 - San Antonio Spurs (overtakes Phoenix Suns for second place)
3 - Phoenix Suns
4 - Houston Rockets (overtake Utah Jazz)
5 - Utah Jazz
6 - Los Angeles Lakers (overtake Denever Nuggets)
7 - New Orleans Hornets
8 - Golden State Warriors

Will Not Make the Playoffs:
Denver Nuggets - this team will not win enough games for a post season berth until they exhibit some interest in playing consistent halfcourt defense. This milk version of the Phoenix Suns won't win because their only interest is getting the ball back to score. Phoenix won't get to the finals for the same reason.
Sacramento Kings - close, but no cigar. This team's struggles in nearly every statistical category speaks for itself.
Los Angeles Clippers - solid, veteran leadership, but no Chris Paul or Tyson Chandler. The Clippers have been the most dissapointing team this year, following a Cinderella season with one fit for sewage tunnels.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
1 - Detroit Pistons
2 - Miami Heat
3 - Cleveland Cavaliers
4 - Chicago Bulls
5 - Toronto Raptors
6 - Washington Wizards
7 - New Jersey Nets (remain mediocre enough to hold on)
8 - Indiana Pacers

Will Not Make the Playoffs:
The bottom teams in the East are playing such putrid basketball that its hard to single out three teams who won't make the playoffs. For all I know, New Jersey and Indiana will lose all of their remaining games and New York will submarine its way into the postseason (shudder). Miami (with Dwyane Wade) and Detroit are the only teams in the East who seem to have complete enough franchises to get to the NBA Finals.
Mavs-Heat matchup for a second year in a row? Don't be surprised if it happens.

posted by Robert Kleeman @ 10:12 AM