Boomer's NBA Slam Dunk Playoff Preview

Win or Go Home

Aww, yes the time of year we cheer for any team, other than the one down in South Beach (BEAT THE HEAT!). What some people like to call the "2nd season", the NBA Playoffs have arrived, and beginning this weekend to MID-JUNE, this years edition of the NBA playoffs has the makings of being one of the best of all-time. Some storylines to keep an eye on, whats the status of Derek Rose's health, will the Heat be able to finish the job this time, are the Spurs and Celtics down to their final run with their current rosters, will the Mavs repeat, are the Thunder ready for the "bright lights", can Melo and the Knicks shock the world, and does Kobe will the Lakers to another NBA championship and win his 6th ring (tying him with Michael Jordan). All in all, it should be a great couple of months, after we had such a rapid pace 66-game season since Christmas, what do the playoffs have in story for basketball fans all over the world?

Eastern Conference: First Round

Chicago vs. Philadelphia

Game 1 - Sat. April 28, Philadelphia at Chicago, 1 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Tue. May 1, Philadelphia at Chicago, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Fri. May 4, Chicago at Philadelphia, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Sun. May 6, Chicago at Philadelphia, 1 p.m., ABC
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Philadelphia at Chicago, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, Chicago at Philadelphia, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Philadelphia at Chicago, TBD, TNT
The Chicago Bulls again for the 2nd year in a row received the 1 seed in the East with record of 50-16. It's amazing to think this team won 50 games, with the amount of games missed by their All-Star PG Derek Rose. Rose's health could play a factor in this series, but I don't believe the Bulls will have a problem with the 76ers in this one. Bulls in 5.

Miami vs. New York

Game 1 - Sat. April 28, New York at Miami, 3:30 p.m., ABC/R
Game 2 - Mon. April 30, New York at Miami, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Thu. May 3, Miami at New York, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Sun. May 6, Miami at New York, 3:30 p.m., ABC/R
Game 5 * Wed. May 9, New York at Miami, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Miami at New York, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, New York at Miami, TBD
The NBA Draft Class of 2003 will be well represented in this series. With LeBron, Melo, D. Wade, and Chris Bosh, this series sure doesnt lack super power. Throw in Amar'e Stoudemire, and you have the makings of what could be a very entertaining first round series to watch. The Heat, who sweep the Knicks in the regular season (3-0) are the favorites to win it all this season, after coming up short in the NBA Finals a year ago. The Knicks have been surging as of late and have the star's to match the Heat's "Big Three", the question is do they lack the mental aspect to pull off the series upset. The NBA world would love to see this series go the distance, but I just do not see that happening. Heat in 5.

Indiana vs. Orlando

Game 1 - Sat. April 28, Orlando at Indiana, 7 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 - Mon. April 30, Orlando at Indiana, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 - Wed. May 2, Indiana at Orlando, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 4 - Sat. May 5, Indiana at Orlando, 2 p.m., ESPN
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Orlando at Indiana, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Indiana at Orlando, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, Orlando at Indiana, TBD
Some how the Pacers had a very quite run to the 3 seed in the Eastern Conference winning 42 games this season. The Pacers had their best season since the Reggie Miller days. On the other hand, the Orlando Magic could not want this season to end quick enough. With all the drama surrounding their franchise player Dwight Howard this season, to the ironic ending to his season a week ago (back surgery), although the Magic did take 3 out of 4 vs. the Pacers in the regular season, I don't see this one being very long, if the Pacers can steal one in Orlando. Pacers in 5.

Boston vs. Atlanta

Game 1 - Sun. April 29, Boston at Atlanta, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Tue. May 1, Boston at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 - Fri. May 4, Atlanta at Boston, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game 4 - Sun May 6, Atlanta at Boston, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Boston at Atlanta, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, Atlanta at Boston, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Boston at Atlanta, TBD, TNT
The Celtics and Hawks have sure had their playoff series battles over the years, and this one shouldnt be any different. The Celtics are looking to make one more run in the playoffs with the "Big Three plus Rondo", but have concerns with Ray Allen's health. Desipite, the Celtics winning the Atlantic Division and getting the 4 seed, the Hawks will have home-court advantage during this series with having the better overall record (40-26 Hawks, 39-27 Celtics). Will the Hawks be able to use that to their advantage against the Celtics? I doubt it. Celtics in 6.

Western Conference: First Round

San Antonio vs. Utah

Game 1 - Sun. April 29, Utah at San Antonio, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 2 - Wed. May 2, Utah at San Antonio, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Sat. May 5, San Antonio at Utah, 10 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Mon. May 7, San Antonio at Utah, TBD
Game 5 * Wed. May 9, Utah at San Antonio, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, San Antonio at Utah, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, Utah at San Antonio, TBD
The Spurs are back on top out west, as they grabbed the 1 seed from the Thunder, in the last couple weeks. Last season the Spurs also had the best record out west, but were bounced by the Memphis Grizzles in the first round 4 games to 2. With a younger roster to go along with ageless Tim Duncan, the Spurs will try to avoid repeating history. The Utah Jazz won the battle for the 8th seed out west down the stretch, and want to make some noise in the playoffs. The Spurs don't let the Jazz play their "music" that long. Spurs in 4.

Oklahoma City vs. Dallas

Game 1 - Sat. April 28, Dallas at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 - Mon. April 30, Dallas at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Thu. May 3, Oklahoma City at Dallas, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Sat. May 5, Oklahoma City at Dallas, 7:30 p.m., TNT/R
Game 5 * Mon. May 7, Dallas at Oklahoma City, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, Oklahoma City at Dallas, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Dallas at Oklahoma City ,TBD, TNT
A rematch from last years, Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Mavs begin their title-defense vs. the Thunder, a team with aspirations of winning a title of their own. Led by scoring title champion Kevin Durant and speedy PG Russell Westbrook, the young Thunder squad is out to prove they are ready for the "bright lights, big stage" of the NBA Playoffs. The Mavs are a year older and no team has repeated since the LA Lakers back in '01 and '02. The Thunder flip the script from a year ago, and get their revenge on the Mavs, knocing out the defending champs in the first round. Thunder in 5.

L.A. Lakers vs. Denver

Game 1 - Sun. April 29, Denver at L.A. Lakers, 3:30 p.m., ABC/R
Game 2 - Tue. May 1, Denver at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Fri May 4, L.A. Lakers at Denver, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Sun. May 6, L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Denver at L.A. Lakers, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, L.A. Lakers at Denver, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Denver at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TNT
A very intriguing first round matchup, pits two different style teams. The LA Lakers, who are under first-year coach Mike Brown will focus on their defense and controling the tempo of the game. Led by of course, Kobe Bryant, they have two 7' towers down low in the block in Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. The Denver Nuggets on the other hand, have had some pretty good success A.M. (After Melo). The Nuggets led the NBA in scoring (104 ppg) using a fast-pace tempo up and down the floor. Which team can control the tempo in this series, will go along way in determining who wins this series. Lakers in 6.

Memphis vs. L.A. Clippers

Game 1 - Sun. April 29, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Wed. May 2, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Sat. May 5, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Mon. May 7, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, TBD
Game 5 * Wed. May 9, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, TBD
What could be the most entertaining series in the first round of the playoffs, in regards to high-flying dunks and highlight reel plays, two teams with not much playoff experience should prove us with a good series. The Grizzles snagged the 4th seed (home-court advantage) from the Clippers in the final week of the regular season, cause the Clippers who had a good chance of winning the Pacific Division, find themselves starting the playoffs on the road in Memphis. The Grizzles have a young core of players, and want to continue their success from a year ago, when they shocked the NBA world, upsetting the #1 seeded SA Spurs in the first round of the playoffs as the #8 seed. The Clippers with the addtion of PG Chris Paul over the off-season, had a very entertaining season and are trying to become relative in the NBA. This one of the eight first round playoff series, has the best chance (I think) of going the distance. And with that I like the team with home-court advantage in a Game 7. Grizzles in 7.