Fifty Peso Previews: 2010 Playoff Preview (1st Round)

     While it's a little late in the game, here are the Fifty Peso Previews for the first round of the playoffs.


Western Conference 


L.A. Lakers (1) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (8)

     The Lakers are, as usual, creating their own drama with a less than stellar end to the regular season.  Anyone entertaining a 4th "8th seed defeats 1st seed" upset needs to remember that all Phil Jackson-coached teams encounter tons of problems just before the playoffs and then comes in to do what they need to do to win in the playoffs.  The exuberant Thunder (who I predicted would make the playoffs in my pre-season Fifty Peso Previews, will have their first audition for greatness and leading the charge would be NBA history's youngest scoring champ Kevin Durant.  Despite Durantula's impending playoff coming out party, the Lakers' experience and the Thunder's inexperience will result in a cocktail known as a Laker series win.


Fearless Forecast: Lakers in 6


Dallas Mavericks (2) vs San Antonio Spurs (7)


     The Mavericks have now been re-tooled to become one of the league's deepest teams, so Dirk no longer has to do everything for the Mavs.  That's why rumors of the Spurs tanking their last game purposely to meet the Mavs have sparked wonder and confusion.  I see the logic though.  A finally healthy Spurs team with about a week's rest for Tim Duncan would be disciplined and experienced enough to challenge the Mavericks, who are a better match for the slow Spurs (rather than the lightning fast Suns).  Will the Mavs crumble again to a lower seed?


Fearless Forecast: Mavericks in 7


Phoenix Suns (3) vs Portland Trail Blazers (6)


     The supposedly aging star of the Suns have them running at full throttle and their highest playoff seed in years.  Steve Nash will again lead the Suns through the playoffs on a relentless tempo and that could spell trouble for a Blazers team without franchise do-it-all player Brandon Roy.  The onus will be on Marcus Camby and Andre Miller to anchor a defense that must stop the Suns' dreaded running game and the seemingly unstoppable Nash and Amare Stoudemire pick-and-roll.


Fearless Forecast: Suns in 5


Denver Nuggets (4) vs Utah Jazz (5)

     How the mighty seem to have fallen.  Both teams were on track to be the second seeds but absences have really cost them.  The question becomes which team can step up to recover from their losses.  Denver will get Kenyon Martin back, but Coach George Karl will probably be out.  The Jazz, meanwhile, will miss Andrei Kirilenko while Carlos Boozer will start with an injured oblique.  That's why the series could boil down to the point guard battle of Chauncey Billups and Deron Williams.


Fearless Forecast: Jazz in 6


Eastern Conference


Cleveland Cavaliers (1) vs Chicago Bulls (8)

     When the Bulls caught the last bus to the playoffs, Joachim Noah stated that the Bulls, "will shock the world."  Noah may end up disappointing the Bulls' fans (and Cavs haters) as the Bulls will be in a tough uphill battle all the way.  As much as I hate to admit it, Lebron James is truly tough to stop and the Bulls' only hope is that James decides not to play 4 games of the seven game series.


Fearless Forecast: Cavs in 5


Orlando Magic (2) vs Charlotte Bobcats (7)


     All throughout this season, the Bobcats have shown an ability to keep games against top contenders close and then finding ways to win.  The Magic, however, have not rested their superstars all through the regular season and the logic behind Stan Van Gundy's move is to keep the Magic sharp.  That's why a sharp and ten player-deep Magic lineup will spell trouble for the Bobcats.  Look for Dwight Howard to over power the Bobcats frontcourt before letting his sharpshooting teammates finish the game off.


Fearless Forecast: Magic in 5


Atlanta Hawks (3) vs Milwaukee Bucks (6)


     The Bucks have surprised everyone (except themselves) with their tough and gritty play.  Scott Skiles has his team playing honest and tough to overcome defense, but the loss of Andrew Bogut will tell on them because that will allow the long and athletic Hawks to take it to the hoop and then crash the boards.  Expect Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford to shoot the lights out, knowing their frontcourt will have the advantage over the Bucks.  Atlanta need not "Fear the Deer."


Fearless Forecast: Hawks in 6


Boston Celtics (4) vs the Miami Heat (5)

     While people have said Miami cannot survive on Dwayne Wade alone all season long, the Heat are back as the 5th seeds.  Playoff time, however, IS actually the time when the Heat cannot just live on Wade alone.  The Celtics, like the Spurs, are aging yet getting healthy and rested at just the right time.  Look for Boston's physical and bruising defense to get tough on Wade and slowly choke the life out of the Heat.


Fearless Forecast: Celtics in 5