NBA Playoffs 2ND ROUND PREVIEW
PISTONS – MAGIC SPURS – HORNETS
May 3, 2008 by khandor
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
(2) DETROIT PISTONS (H)
(3) ORLANDO MAGIC
By the Numbers
QIR – #2 (10)
Points Differential Rank – #2
Points Allowed Rank – #1
Rebounding Differential Rank – #7
QIR – #11 (32)
Points Differential Rank – #5
Points Allowed Rank – #11
Rebounding Differential Rank – #16
Basketball Acumen
Best in the East right now. Team D & Rebounding top notch. 5 deep in Bigs. Should be able to handle The Man of Steel & Turk. Clear-cut advantage at the PG spot with Billups & Stuckey (the Real Deal). Prince vs Lewis is the key match-up. Eyes on the Prize this year. Tough out rest of the way.
One round further than last post-season! Slightly overmatched in almost every area of the Game, except for 3Pt Shooting, which should be able to keep them close in every Game. Not enough quality depth at each position to take on the Big Boyz & succeed, just yet. Huge step up in class vs Detroit.
Who will win
Detroit
in 4 although each Game will be tight going to the final 6 minutes.
Western Conference Semi-Finals
(2) NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (H)
(3 ) SAN ANTONIO SPURS
By the Numbers
QIR #4 (21)
Points Differential Rank – #6
Points Allowed Rank – #5
Rebounding Differential Rank – #10
QIR – #7 (23)
Points Differential Rank – #8
Points Allowed Rank – #3
Rebounding Differential Rank – #12
Basketball Acumen
Overmatched at the 2, 3 & 5 spots. CP3 & D-West will need to dominate in order to win more than 1 or 2 Games. Unlikely vs vets Parker, Thomas, Oberto & Horry. Bryon Scott is a terrific young coach but vs Gregg Popovich? Tremendous learning experience for the Hornets.
Best defensive team in the NBA. Parker will need to match the herculian efforts of CP3. Ginobili & Duncan KNOW HOW TO WIN Games. Air Force One best in the business, right now uNFLappable, perceptive & tough-minded. Will need to be in order to get past this opponent.
Who will win
San Antonio
in 6 (or 7). Every Game will be a war.