Previewing The NBA Playoffs-Part 2

So we move onto the second half of the first round series today.

Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs

Why couldn't the Suns have made the playoffs? Why did it have to be the Jazz?

Don't kid yourself. The Spurs won't lose another first round series, but doesn't this Jazz team remind you of a certain Grizzlies team from last season? They can trot out Favors, Millsap, and Jefferson at the same time and the Spurs can counter with Duncan, Splitter, and...Diaw.

And Devin Harris is playing as well as Mike Conley was last season. He will have to cancel out Parker for the Jazz to have a chance.

But I think a healthy Manu does wonders for the Spurs, and they take it in 6.

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers finished the season pretty well, and they are my pick to win the West. I wanted it to be the Thunder, but they didn't convince me late in the season. If Bynum keeps his head (a big if) and if Kobe doesn't take too many shots (HAHAHA!) the Lakers can still beat anyone in a 7-game series.

So I say Lakers in 5.

Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks

Ray Allen being hurt changes things considerably.

But I still have to say that the Celtics win it in 5. Kevin Garnett has been a man possessed since moving to center, and Rondo is going to do Rondo things in this series. Poor Jeff Teague. He's so screwed.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

I'm looking forward to this series a ton. I love the Grizzlies still, and I want Blake Griffin to fail miserably. And I'm not sure why that is. It's not like he's a jerk. And he isn't telling ESPN to be on his junk at all times.

But if he loses ESPN has to eat some humble pie. And I dislike ESPN, so that works for me.

Grizzlies in 7 in an super-duper exciting series is my prediction.