NBA Playoffs Round 2 Recap/Conference Finals Predictions

That was a quality round of basketball!  Every single series went at least six games.  My predictions, however, were stink-a-reeno.  Let's recap the last round.

Clippers vs. Rockets

My prediction - Clippers 4-3
Actual results -  Rockets 4-3

Got the games right, but not the winner.  The Clippers had a 3-1 series lead, yet found a way to lose.  I can appreciate that any team, in any sport, can win on any given night.  But Los Angeles won games three and four by 25 and 33 points, then proceeded to lose the next three games by 21, 12 and 13.  I'll never understand that.  Oh, the inconsistency.

Warriors vs. Grizzles

My prediction - Warriors 4-2
Actual results -  Warriors 4-2

Well, would you look at that?  Nailed it!  This series was funny too, in that the Grizzles had a 2-1 series lead before getting their asses beat in the next three games.  I'm not sure if that was a testament to poor play by Memphis, or great play from Golden State.  Either way you slice it, the Warriors look legit.

Cavaliers vs. Bulls

My prediction - Bulls 4-2
Actual results -  Cavs 4-2

Oops.  I really thought the loss of Kevin Love would hamper the Cavs, and it may have if Pau Gasol didn't miss a couple of games himself.  I really think that swung the series in Cleveland's favor.  In keeping with the other series, the Bulls had a 2-1 lead but lost the next three games.  Why does that keep happening?

Atlanta vs. Washington

My prediction - Washington 4-2
Actual results -  Atlanta 4-2

Oops again.  Atlanta came off a tough series against Brooklyn while Washington took care of Toronto with ease, hence my prediction of Washington in six.  This was by far the most competitive series of the second round.  Only one game ended with a double digit final score.  The rest were 6, 2, 5, 1 and 3 points.  Now, that's playoff basketball (cough, Rockets and Clippers, cough). 

1-3 in my picks.  Yuck.  Big drop off from the first round (7-1).  Let's see if I can turn things around in the Conference Finals.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlanta vs. Cleveland

Atlanta won season series 3-1

Cleveland is coming off an impressive series win against Chicago.  However, they'll still be without Kevin Love, and now Kyrie Irving is banged up.  I can't see him not playing, but it could be really detrimental to the Cavs if he's not 100%.  Atlanta, on the other hand, is healthy and just keeps plugging along.  I don't think Atlanta is a great team, but they're very well balanced.  And with no Love, maybe more balanced than Cleveland.  It's really hard to bet against LeBron James, but...

Atlanta 4-3

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Golden State vs. Houston

Golden State won season series 4-0

For some reason I have a soft spot for the Clippers, so I really wanted to see them go against the Warriors. Not only that, but I thought it'd make for a competitive series.  Instead it'll be Houston taking them on.  As I mentioned above, both teams had to overcome series deficits to advance, and they both did so fairly convincingly.  Despite having the best record in the NBA, I never bought into the Warriors, but I have to admit that I am now.  All four Golden State wins against Memphis came by double digits.  That's impressive.  Speaking of impressive, Houston can score!  They averaged a hair under 110 points per game against LA.  That'll make for a great matchup against Golden State's high quality defense (94.2 ppg - 3rd in NBA).  Having said all that, I just don't think the Rockets can hang with the Warriors.  The season series ended with a sweep, and I think this one will too.

Golden State 4-0

Let's hope for some more good games in this round.