2013 NBA Playoff Predictions

Eastern Quarters 

1)  over 8) 4-1
     Milwaukee is obviously not much of a test for the Heat on paper, but hey, you simply never know what can happen. But, after all, this is the NBA; playoff series usually tend to follow protocol. Don't expect an upset, but I'll give the Bucks a game.
G1- MIA  G2- MIA  G3- MIL  G4- MIA  G5- MIA

2)  over 7) 4-3
     The Knicks are on of the more puzzling teams in the playoffs; you never know when they are going to shoot the lights out or lay an egg. I believe the main factors in this series are the presence of Tyson Chandler in the paint as well as the absence of Celt's point guard Rajon Rondo. With Rondo, I think the Celtics would win the series. But without him and without much of a presence underneath besides Kevin Garnett, the Knicks move on to the semi's.
G1- NYK  G2- BOS  G3- BOS  G4- NYK  G5- NYK  G6- BOS  G7- NYK

3)  over 6) 4-1
     Pacers/Hawks is probably the least intriguing playoff series in the quarters and I think it's because no one paid any attention to Atlanta this year. There must have been a reason for it because I do not see them beating a pretty well-rounded Indiana squad.
G1- IND  G2- IND  G3- IND  G4- ATL  G5- IND

5)  over 4) 4-2
     What a great playoff series we could have here. Obviously, I think Derrick Rose returning could make this series more interesting, but since it doesn't look like he will come back, the Bulls will have to rely on the recipe that allowed them to overcome the loss of Rose to make the playoffs: defense. In the four meetings between these two teams in the regular season, the Nets did not score over 90 points. I like the Bulls to play excellent defense to beat Brooklyn.
G1- BRK  G2- CHI  G3- BRK  G4- CHI  G5- CHI  G6- CHI 

Western Quarters

1)  over 8) 4-1

     James Harden returns to his former team looking to lead the Rockets in a massive upset. While I do think Harden and the Rockets will have no problem scoring their fair share of points, I do not see them doing anything to prevent Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the rest of the Thunder from scoring at will. In three match-ups this season, the Thunder scored at least 120 points in each game. Oklahoma City moves on.

G1- OKC  G2- OKC  G3- HOU  G4- OKC  G5- OKC

2) over 7) 4-1

     Despite all the emotional momentum the Lakers seem to have after losing Kobe Bryant, this series will be won by the better basketball team- the Spurs. San Antonio, led by stalwarts Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, is the deeper and more consistent team. While the Lakers may look great on a given night when Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard are in synch, the Spurs will take advantage of a weaker Los Angeles defense to advance to the semis. 

G1- SAS  G2- SAS  G3- LAL  G4- SAS  G5- SAS

3)  over 6) 4-2

     Though I really like the Warriors chances to pull an upset, ultimately they will not have the defense and consistency to beat the Nuggets. As much as I like Stephen Curry as a player, he may have a game or two where he will shoot the Warriors out of the game. The Nuggets have a near perfect formula of being prolific while balanced enough to maintain a high level of play even on days where they might not have their A-game. I expect the Warriors to push the Nuggets, but ultimately fall short as Denver advances.

G1- GS  G2- DEN  G3- GS  G4- DEN  G5- DEN  G6- DEN 

5)  over 4) 4-3

     This series is a pure pick 'em. It's almost as simple as that. I pick the Grizzlies because I have had this hunch that Blake Griffin may be an exciting regular season player, but he isn't the kind of player that will lead teams to playoff series wins. I really don't have much evidence by that statement, but it's simply a hunch and it is part of the reason why I'm going to take Memphis over the Clippers in seven games. 

G1- LAC  G2- LAC  G3- MEM  G4- MEM  G5- MEM  G6- LAC  G7- MEM 

Eastern Semis

1)  over 5) 4-1

G1- MIA  G2- MIA  G3- CHI  G4- MIA  G5- MIA 

2)  over 3) 4-3

G1- IND  G2- NYK  G3- IND  G4- NYK  G5- NYK  G6- IND  G7- NYK 

Western Semis

5)  over 1) 4-3

G1- OKC  G2- OKC  G3- MEM  G4- MEM  G5- OKC  G6- MEM  G7- MEM 

2)  over 3) 4-3

G1- SAS  G2- DEN  G3- DEN  G4- SAS  G5- SAS  G6- DEN  G7- SAS

Eastern Finals

1)  over 2) 4-1

G1- MIA  G2- NYK  G3- MIA  G4- MIA  G5- MIA

Western Finals

2)   over 5) 4-2

G1- SAS  G2- MEM  G3- MEM  G4- SAS  G5- SAS  G6- SAS

NBA Finals

 over   4-2

G1- SAS  G2- MIA  G3- MIA  G4- SAS  G5- MIA  G6- SAS