If The Playoffs Started Today...

With less than a week to go in the NBA regular season, lets take a look at how the playoffs would shake out if they started today.

1. Spurs vs 8. Grizzlies


2. Lakers vs 7. Hornets


3. Mavericks vs 6. Trail Blazers

4. Thunder vs 5. Nuggets

1. Bulls vs 8. Pacers


2. Celtics vs 7. 76ers


3. Heat vs 6. Knicks


4. Magic vs 5. Hawks










     In this scenario, the East has some particularly interesting match-ups.  While the Bull's will likely cruise to the second round without much resistance, the Celtics, Heat and Magic are left in much more vulnerable positions.

     Although the Knicks are only 3 games above .500, they are a team that could cause the Heat some problems in the postseason.  We all remember the game the Knicks won in Miami just after they acquired Carmelo, and there's no reason to believe they can't do it a few times again.  While the Heat are still the better team in this scenario, the Carmelo and Amar'e can easily create some matchup problems against Miami's questionable inside game.  Will it be enough? I don't think so.  I have Miami winning in 5, but you can bet LeBron and co. would love to snag the seed that will face a significantly weaker Philly team in the first round.

     Similarly, Boston would be more than happy to avoid a 1st round matchup with the Knickerbockers.  Again, Boston is a far superior team than New York, but the Knicks may have enough to make it interesting.  Since Boston shipped out size when they traded Kendrick Perkins for Jeff Green, Amar'e and Melo have an opportunity to do some serious damage to an aging, albeit solid, Celtics team.  This series could very well come down to how fresh Doc Rivers can keep Garnett and Shaq as the series rolls on.  Again, I don't think we'll see the Knicks advance here, but it sure could make for some great TV.

In my opinion, the Atlanta/Orlando series (which I believe is already determined to happen), is a toss-up.  Both teams have their problems, and both teams have enough talent to get out of the first round.  The difference maker, of course, is Dwight Howard.  If he can get his head in the game and dominate the way he is capable of, by owning the boards, blocking shots and putting up 15-20 points, this series will be over quickly.  If not, we might see Atlanta moving on.


The Western Conference has its own intriguing story-lines.  Predicting outcome, however, is much harder.  Oklahoma City and Dallas are still in a tight competition for the 3 seed, while Memphis, New Orleans and Portland all could end up between 6 and 8.   Yet, while its too early to work out the matchups, one team to watch out for is certainly the new and surprisingly improved Denver Nuggets.  Although they lack the star power usually needed to make a deep run in the playoffs, they could become quite a thorn in the side of a Thunder, Maverick or even Laker team (who has been struggling as of late).

How will it work out? That remains to be seen.  But if you're asking me, I think we'll all be tuning in to Oklahoma City versus Chicago or Miami for the NBA Championship this year.