Coalson's Playoff Predictions
/The Undebeatables will have a full playoff preview in the upcoming podcast, but we thought it best to put our individual predictions in writing. Thus, making it easier to refer to our inaccurate analysis.
I'll go ahead and put my inaccuracies on the line first.
Round 1:
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat vs. 8. Milwaukee Bucks
Miami just won 66 games, only the sixteenth team to win more than 65 games in a season in NBA history. (12 of the 15 went on to win the title.) Meanwhile, the Bucks won 66 games...in 1971, led by Big O and Kareem, back when he still went by Lew Alcindor. That was a long time ago, and I can promise you LeBron does not fear this current incarnation of the Deer.
Miami in 4
2. New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics
Every year I count out the Celtics as washed up, every year they do something special. New York is playing well, but I think Boston has the defense, the experience, the veteran pride, and the motivation to take them out. An emotional win in one of the first two games in NYC will push the Celts over the top in a long and gripping series.
Boston in 7
3. Indiana Pacers vs. 6. Atlanta Hawks
The Pacers have not been playing well over the last several weeks and in the process lost the chance to win 50 games in a season for only the 9th time in franchise history. But I think we've been saving our legs for the post-season. The Hawks give Indiana trouble with the zone and that's about it. This is a special Pacers team and they'll remind us of that in the first round.
Indy in 5
4. Brooklyn Nets vs. 5. Chicago Bulls
All four regular season games were close, the Bulls winning 3. Its tough to see these Bulls, with so much resolve inspite of the year they've had, going down to a fairly uninspiring Nets team...but that's what I'm predicting. If only because I couldn't find a coin to flip.
Brooklyn in 7
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 8. Houston Rockets
Harden matched against his old team will serve as nice theater, but OKC is way too good to let this become a series.
Oklahoma in 5
2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 7. LA Lakers
I've heard the Ewing Theory. I like the Ewing Theory. But the Lakers just can't beat the Spurs without Kobe. I think the frontline of Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard can be dominant, but it won't be enough against the finely tuned basketball machine that is Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, and the San Antonio Spurs.
San Antonio in 6
3. Denver Nuggets vs. 6. Golden State Warriors
This one is gonna be fun. First one to 120 wins. Stephen Curry of the Warriors just set the single season record for three pointers, so needless to say he can shoot. But I think the depth and relentlessness of the Nugs proves too much.
Denver in 5
4. LA Clippers vs. 5. Memphis Grizzlies
I don't like betting against the best player in a series, which in this case is Chris Paul on the Clips, but I think the Memphis defense is going to be the true star. This one will be long, hard fought, and ugly.
Memphis in 7
Round 2:
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat vs. 4. Brooklyn Nets
Miami is on a mission. Nets just happy to be here.
Miami in 5
3. Indiana Pacers vs. 7. Boston Celtics
While I've said before that Boston is a bad matchup for the Pace for a variety of reasons, I believe Indiana can make enough adjustments in a series to win. I do think Boston has too much poise to lose against a young team in a game seven, so I'm ending this one before that becomes an issue.
Indiana in 6
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 5. Memphis Grizzlies
Blood bath. But the best team wins.
Oklahoma in 6
2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 3. Denver Nuggets
As a resident of Colorado and a fan of the Nuggets, I really want to believe that they can run the older Spurs off the floor. But I think the ride comes to an end here, with homecourt the difference.
San Antonio in 7
Round 3:
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat vs. 3. Indiana Pacers
While I think the Pacers are as well suited as all most any team in the league to beat the Heat, we are still a year or two away from being able to get it done. Miami is a team of destiny.
Miami in 5
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 2. San Antonio Spurs
Same Western Conference Finals as last year. Last year the Spurs won the first two and then lost the last four. I assume that Coach Pop and Timmy spent the entire offseason trying to figure out what happened, and may have. But Kevin Durant and the Thunder are no longer just talented, inexperienced kids. They are the second best team in the league.
Thunder in 6
NBA Finals
Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
One year later...same teams, same result. Give LeBron another MVP, Finals MVP, and ring number two. A fitting end to what was in many ways the Season of LeBron.
Miami in 6
My Bracket!
I know what you're wondering. Did he not have the guts to make a prediction for the Finals, or could he just not figure out how to insert the winner in his bracket template. It's a valid question.
