NBA: West Looks More Upset Prone than East in Playoffs

There is an imbalance in the force according to Al Dannity. With the NBA Playoffs getting under way on Saturday, Al says the Western Conference has far greater potential for upsets than the East in the first round.

Big four should roll in the East
There should be plenty of good Basketball in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Unfortunately that’s because the four best teams in the first round should have plenty of room to dominate their opponents.

Chicago’s match-up with the Pacers looks like a ready-made sweep. Indiana finished the regular season 25 games behind the Bulls and 4 games under .500. There’s no real reason to believe they can threaten the hottest team in the NBA right now. Likewise the 76ers look certain to be slaughtered at the hands of the Heat. Miami’s big three are all finally on the same page and look capable of a deep run in the post-season. Philadelphia defined mediocrity this season but the lack of depth in the East meant they still ended up with the #7 seed.

At least the other two match-ups promise to go more than four games. The Knicks won’t last long against the Celtics, but I like them to win at least once at home before bowing out in five. The Hawks are good enough to push the Magic to six games but they simply lack the talent to overpower Dwight Howard and company over a full series.

More competition out West
The #1 vs. #8 match-up in the Western Conference has a fair bit of history so don’t rule out an upset when the Grizzlies take on the Spurs. While San Antonio led the way in the NBA for much of the season, the Spurs seemed to lose their way in the final few weeks and will need to stay focussed to come out on top. The Thunder and Nuggets meet in a wide open #4 vs. #5 match-up. On paper Oklahoma City possess more talent and superior personnel offensively and defensively. None of that will phase the Nuggets, who tore through their schedule after trading away Carmelo Anthony.

The Trail Blazers will fancy their chances against Dallas but I like the Mavs to come out on top in five or six games. The only match-up that looks to be a lock pits the Lakers against the Hornets. Los Angeles may struggle deeper in the playoffs if Andrew Bynum doesn’t come back but they will still have too much for New Orleans in this series.