In Episode 124 of the New York Knicks Podcast, Marc and Jay were joined by Jim Cavan (@jpcavan) from Knickerblogger.net to make our playoff predictions. It’s important to note that these predictions were made on Friday, you know, before Derrick Rose and Iman Shumpert tore their ACLs and before Tim Donaghy came out of retirement to ref the Knicks game.
Here are the results:
Eastern Conference:
1st Round
Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Jay’s Pick: Chicago in 5
Marc’s Pick: Chicago in 7
Jim’s Pick: Chicago in 6
Even though Rose is now out for the playoffs Chicago should still be able to handle the 76ers pretty easily. This is a deep team that is used to playing without their star, going 16-8 in the regular season without him. This injury may, however, make our predictions for the future rounds seem a little overenthusiastic.
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks
Jay’s Pick: Miami in 5
Marc’s Pick: Knicks in 4
Jim’s Pick: Miami in 6
Well Marc is already wrong. The Knicks got spanked on Saturday with a little help from some lopsided (a huge understatement) reffing and some nice acting (flopping) jobs by the Heat. That being said the Knicks got flustered by all the antics and started turning the ball over and couldn’t hit a shot. Also the lack of a serviceable point guard resulted in Carmelo Anthony not receiving the ball when he was fronted. Oh yeah their best perimeter defender in Iman Shumpert is also out for the season. Even Jay’s pick looks like a stretch at this point.
Indiana Pacers vs Orlando Magic
Jay’s Pick: Pacers in 6
Marc’s Pick: Pacers in 4
Jim’s PIck: Pacers in 5
Jay said Big Baby will average 20-10 this series and Jim and Marc laughed. He ended up with 16-13 in game one. Who’s crazy now? The Magic steal an away game in game 1 and all of a sudden we have a series. Also Marc is wrong with this pick already too.
Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks
Jay’s Pick: Celtics in 6
Marc’s Pick: Celtics in 7
Jim’s Pick: Celtics in 6
The Hawks disappoint every year, why should this year be any different?
2nd Round
Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls
Jay’s Pick: Celtics in 7
Marc’s Pick: Bulls in 6
Jim’s Pick: Celtics in 7
Without Derrick Rose this potential 2nd round matchup looks much worse for Chicago. Rondo should have a huge series. Can it even be called an upset if the Celtics beat the Bulls without Rose?
Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers
Jay’s Pick: Miami in 6
Jim’s Pick: Miami in 5
If the reffing looks like the WWE in round 2 as well this series might not even go 5 or 6 games.
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers
Marc’s Pick: Knicks in 7
IF the Knicks were to play the Pacers (which they won’t), Jay and Jim would pick them to win as well.
Conference Finals
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics
Jay’s Pick: Boston in 7
Jim’s Pick: Miami in 6
This potential series will be a lot closer than people expect.
New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls
Marc’s Pick: Knicks in 7
……no comment
Western Conference
1st Round
San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz
Jay’s Pick: Spurs in 6
Marc’s Pick: Spurs in 5
Jim’s Pick: Spurs in 6
The Spurs are running on all cylinders right now. Super deep after some nice mid season moves. They do struggle against teams with bigger front lines, but I don’t see any way Utah wins this series.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks
Jay’s Pick: Thunder in 7
Marc’s Pick: Mavs in 7
Jim’s Pick: Thunder in 5
Saturday’s best game set the stage for a really tight, fun series. Jim seems to disagree. We’ll see.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers
Jay’s Pick: Nuggets in 6
Marc’s Pick: Lakers in 7
Jim’s Pick: Lakers in 6
The Artest formerly known as Metta will not be playing in this series unless it goes to 7. Jay picks an upset, no one agrees.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Clippers
Jay’s Pick: Grizzlies in 5
Marc’s Pick: Grizzlies in 5
Jim’s Pick: Grizzlies in 5
The only series we’ve agreed on so far. The Clippers will be watching the 2nd round with the rest of us.
2nd Round
Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs
Jay’s Pick: Grizzlies in 7
Marc’s Pick: Grizzlies in 7
Jim’s Pick: Grizzlies in 7
In the end the Grizz will be just too big for the Spurs to handle. It’ll be a long series though.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets
Jay’s Pick: Thunder in 6
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers
Jim’s Pick: Thunder in 6
Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers
Marc’s Pick: Dallas in 7
We all agree that there will be no LA team in the conference finals.
Conference Finals
Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Jay’s Pick: Grizzlies in 6
Jim’s Pick: Thunder in 5
Memphis Grizzlies vs Dallas Mavericks
Marc’s Pick: Grizzlies in 5
Everyone picks the Grizzlies to make the conference finals, however Jim thinks the Thunder beat them easily. Jay and Marc are not so sure about that.
NBA Finals
Memphis Grizzlies vs Boston Celtics
Jay’s Pick: Grizzlies in 7
If this happens Jay will immediately go out and buy 100 lotto tickets.
New York Knicks vs Memphis Grizzlies
Marc’s Pick: Knicks in 4
I’m starting to think Marc was drunk for these predictions.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat
Jim’s Pick: Thunder in 7
Seems the most realistic scenario and any scenario where the Heat don’t win a championship is fine by Marc and Jay.