NBA Playoff Picks- Take Two

Here we are a week away from February and things are starting to take shape in the NBA playoff race. We know there are some good teams, and then we know there are some really bad teams, the hard part is everyone else.. So here is my updated playoff picks for the NBA. You can look at my first NBA picks that I did before the year started back in October here http://schwandasports.blogspot.com/2010/10/nba-picks.html

East:

1) Heat- They are 2.5 back from Boston but I think they will overtake them for two reasons, one the they think it's important to get the #1 seed, and two, the Celtics don't care and will rest some guys as the season goes on, and have some injuries

2) Boston- The best team in the East

3) Bulls- Will keep that 3 seed thanks to a bad division

4) Magic- They will overtake the Hawks

5) Hawks-I think they have to be in the 4-5 match up every year, it may be a NBA rule

6) Knicks- Have been a surprise, they score a lot of points, which shouldn't surprise us at all I guess.

7) 76ers-This is when it gets fun, 5 teams with in 2.5 games, and none of them really are that good, so which two will be there at the end? Got to pick two, so here it goes. 76ers are 6-4 in their last ten and playing decent basketball.

8) Pistons- call me a homer if you want, but they are only 1.5 back from the 8th spot and are 6-4 in their last ten as well, which include wins over the Suns, Mavs and Magic. T-Mac is doing a great job with the ball in his hands as the PG, and scored 20 last night. They have got their rotation down and they need to trade RIP, since he has been sent home and hasn't play in awhile, so anyone they get will help. The Bobcats are also 6-4 in their last ten, but have 3 playoff teams in their division and that will hurt them. The Pacers are Bucks are 3-7 and 2-8 in their last ten and look to be going the wrong way, even though I want to pick the Bucks to be the 7th seed, but I just can't do it.

Heat over Pistons in 4.. 5 at the most

Celtics over 76ers in 4.. 5 at the most

Bulls over Knicks in 6- should be entertaining at least

Magic over Hawks in 6- Another good series.



Magic over Heat in 6- Dwight Howard and shooters, plus Nelson is better then any PG the Heat have.

Celtics over Bulls in 6- Another great series between these two teams. D Rose is good for two games by himself.

Celtics over Magic in 6- The Celtics know this is their last run, and will find a way.


West:

1) Spurs- I did not see this coming, they are putting it all together

2) Lakers- they are still the Lakers and will be fine

3) Thunder- Will win that division and have two of the best young players in the NBA, just fun to watch

4) Hornets- They are red hot, have won 9 in a row and are playing well, why did Chris Paul want to leave this team?

5) Jazz- I really like this team

6) Mavs- I think they will fall to 6, Loosing Butler hurts

7) Blazers- They will overtake Denver

8) Denver- When will they trade Melo? At this point it looks like he stays and they try to make one last run, why not

Spurs over Denver in 6- Melo is good for one game alone and another game with the Spurs being old

Lakers over Blazers in 5- The Lakers will turn it on in the playoffs, B Roy is good for one win

Thunder over Mavs in 6- Old make way for the new

Jazz over Hornets- A match up of the two best PG in the NBA

Jazz over Spurs in 6- I can't take all high seeds

Lakers over Thunder in 6- I know it went 7 last year in the first round, but the Lakers know better this year

Lakers over Jazz in 6- The Jazz run ends

Lakers over Celtics in 6- The Lakers get Phil another 3-peat, should be a great series.

NBA is fun again.. make sure you are watching. I'm right, you're wrong.