Playoff Round 1 Breakdown

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1 Supersonics (65-17) vs 8 Timberwolves (38-44)

Head to head: Sonics 4 – Wolves 0
Key Player: Richard Jefferson

Every game this year has been a blowout victory for the Sonics who outscore his opponent by just over 21 points per game this season. Richard Jefferson averaged 30 point per game in this season series, while Rashard Lewis averaged 28.5. The Wolves give up 105 points per game and the Sonics give up 92.8 points per season.

Outcome: Sonics 4 – Wolves 0

4 Lakers (58-24) vs 5 Clippers (56-26)

Head to head: Lakers 3 – Clippers 1
Key Player: Shawn Marion

In this battle of Los Angeles, we have a good series ahead of us. Shawn Marion was held to less than double digit points in one game: the game 3 loss for the Lakers. Durant and Kobe are going to have to be superstars for each team to keep the games close. Only one game was decided by more than ten points and one game was decided by a single point. The biggest wildcard with this series is that all four games were played before the halfway point in the season. Lakers made the move to get Penny, who took over the starting lineup. Hopefully, we are able to see Kobe play through his sprained ankle.

Outcome: Lakers 4 – Clippers 3

3 Kings (62-20) vs 6 Nuggets (45-37)

Head to head: Kings 4 – Nuggets 0
Key Player: Tracy McGrady

Fun stat about this series is that one of these three teams have won the championship over the past three season. Three out of the four games were decided by double digits. The other game was decided by a single point. But in all reality, this has been a domination by the Kings. T-Mac has averaged 36.3 points per game. With a rookie at point guard and a glaring weakness at shooting guard, the Nuggets have no answer for McGrady no matter which of those slots he lines up in. Look for this one to have little struggle.

Outcome: Kings 4 – Nuggets 0

2 Grizzlies (50-32) vs 7 Spurs (42-50)

Head to head: Grizzlies 3 – Spurs 1
Key Player: Josh Smith

The biggest story is Posey’s injury. He is an integral defensive player who would be guarding Josh Smith. Josh Smith is the key player because he is able to bring points and rebounds for the team. With Posey possibly not guarding him for the first two games, Smith has a real chance to steal a game in VanMemphis. Scola needs to perform well and look for a big point output from Bobby Simmons.

Outcome: Grizzlies 4 – Spurs 2

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Eastern Conference coming after Lunch

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1 Bucks (65-17) vs 8 Cavaliers (45-37)

Head to head: Bucks 4 – Cavs 0
Key Player: Ron Artest

Don’t expect a barn-burner out of this one. The Bucks won all four games so far this season. The cavs are just outmatched with star power, although they have a bright future with their young players. The good thing for the Cavs is playoff experience. That’s about it. I decided to choose Artest on key player because he won two player of the games this season during this matchup. Amare could have easily been the key player.

Outcome: Bucks 4 – Cavs 0

4 Celtics (50-32) vs 5 Heat (49-33)

Head to head: Celtics 4 – Heat 0
Key Player: Baron Davis

The Heat are, excuse the pun, the hotter team right now. The Celtics owned the season series, but the last two games were won by 5 points combined, and that was during the Dudley injury. I think this series is going to be a really good one. These two GMs have met a lot in the playoffs in the past. Steven Hunter and Larry Hughes each earned player of the game awards twice in the previous matchups. The only chance the Heat have to steal this is for Baron Davis to play out of his mind and utilize the advantage at that position.

Outcome: Celtics 4 – Heat 2

3 Hawks (58-24) vs 6 Hornets (48-34)

Head to head: Hawks 4 – Hornets 0
Key Player: Devin Harris

The most glaring mismatch in favor of the Hawks is at point guard. The Hornets had a serviceable player at this position in Penny, but traded him away. So now the crowd looks to see if the Hawks will take advantage of this mismatch.

Outcome: Hawks 4 – Hornets 0

2 Nets (50-32) vs 7 Knicks (46-36)

Head to head: Nets 3 – Knicks 0
Key player: Drew Gooden

This matchup of two division opponents has been one sided all year. The Knicks were without Chris Webber for a large portion of the season. Now fully healthy, will they be able to compete with the Atlantic division champions? The Key player here is Drew Gooden. He is basically a walking double-double through this season series.

Outcome: Nets 4 – Knicks 1

[IamQuailman]

Awarded 5 pts