Second Round Predictions

Ugh, late again. The Second Round already started, but again I couldn't find time to post my predictions for it. Well, here you go:

CLE vs. BOS: Celtics in 7 games.

ORL vs. ATL: Magic in 6 games.

LAL vs. UTA: Lakers in 6 games.

PHX vs. SAS: Spurs in 7 games.

I have a feeling that Mo Williams is gonna choke again for the Cavs, even after his impressive 3rd quarter showing in Game 1, and Cleveland won't get a chance to use Shaq for his sole purpose this season: kill Dwight Howard in the paint. Boston seems like they have reverted to their 2008 form, only this time it's Rondo who is leading the team. 

Orlando seems pretty unstoppable at the moment as well. They demolished Charlotte, the league's top defensive team, in a completely one-sided sweep, and Atlanta doesn't seem like much of a challenge now. The Hawks had a lot of trouble with the rookie-led Milwaukee Bucks, who were also missing their top player. Of course, this Atlanta team is still a threat with all of the talent they have, and I'm betting Mike Woodson won't rest till the team moves on to the Conference Finals (highly unlikely, in my opinion).

Lakers vs. Utah should be entertaining at times, but the better team (L.A.) will end up pulling away with the victory. I also can't see the Jazz giving the Lakers much of an inside challenge, aside from Carlos Boozer, now that Andrei Kirilenko will sit for a few games. I wasn't sure whether or not to have L.A. winning in 5 games or 6, but Deron Williams will surely lead his team to more than only one victory in the series.

I think that all the extra rest between games and reduced travel has made the postseason a lot easier for the Spurs than the regular season. Just like Boston, San Antonio has seemed to revert to their championship form, only with some new pieces here and there. Both George Hill and Tony Parker will be critical in this series in determining which team moves on, for they will have the task of stopping Steve Nash. I think that the Spurs, who seem to always be victorious against the Suns, will use their experience, rest, and Big Three of Manu Ginobili, Parker, and Tim Duncan to outlast this tough Suns squad in a very exciting series.