2007 NBA West Playoff Matchups
Warriors' playoff birth their first in twelve years
A breakdown and predictions of the 2007 Western Conference NBA Playoffs.
It took until the very last day of the 2007 NBA regular season, but the Golden State Warriors are finally playing for something that matters after edging out the Los Angeles Clippers for the final playoffs spot in the Western Conference, thereby ending their 12-year NBA playoff drought. The Warriors' prize is the right to face off against the Dallas Mavericks, who hold the best record in the NBA winning nearly eighty-two percent of its games.
Despite the vast obstacle ahead of them, Golden State has played with a lot of confidence of late, finishing the season with a five-game win streak and winning nine of their last ten. One of those victories was a controlling victory against the Mavericks, where they won 111-82. Yet, the Mavericks should bring more to the table as they had little to playoff in that April 17th game, having already clinched the playoffs.
Here's a break down of the Western Conference Playoff Matchups:
(1) Dallas Mavericks vs (8) Golden State Warriors
Dallas coach, Avery Johnson will face his mentor, Don Nelson. The Mavericks shouldn't have much trouble with the younger, less experienced Warriors, but the Warriors can be a handful with their ability to create mismatches. In order for the Warriors to have a legitimate shot against the defending Western Conference Champions, Baron Davis must have a big series. Though Nelson knows the Mavericks better than most, having coached them for several seasons, Dirk Nowitzki is a matchup nightmare for any opposing team and the Mavericks' discipline at both ends of the court far surpasses that of Golden State.
Prediction: Mavericks in four.
(2) Phoenix Suns vs (7) Los Angeles Lakers
This is a rematch of last year's first round, when the Lakers took a 3-1 lead, only to give up three games to the Suns and win it in the seventh game. Mike D'Antoni is an overrated coach. With the talent the Suns have, there is no excuse why they can't be successful without Steve Nash (the Suns are 4-11 in the last three seasons when he's been hurt). However, the Suns have as much if not more talent on their roster than any other team in the league. Amare Stoudemire is healthy again after missing all of last season and Shawn Marion is as consistent as ever. The Suns might face a little resistence, but they should be able to make short work of the Lakers. The big question is, can they win it quickly without drawing it out to seven games? Last season, Steve Nash was exhausted by the semifinals after having played too many minutes during the season and in earlier rounds.
If the Lakers want a shot at getting by the stacked Suns, Kobe Bryant will need some help. He's been incredible this year, averaging 38.0 ppg in the final month of the season, but players like Lamar Odom, Luke Walton and Kwame Brown are going to have to step up the support.
Prediction: Suns in six.
(3) San Antonio Spurs vs (6) Denver Nuggets
Denver is not a team anyone wants to play right now, having won nine of their final ten season games. They're healthy and Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson are finally clicking. However, the Spurs are known for being a disciplined defensive team, holding opponents to fewer points this year than any other team. After a healthy season for Tim Duncan (unlike last year, when he was limping into the playoffs), San Antonio should be poised for a strong playoff run and Denver lacks the depth and team defense to stop them. If the Nuggets want a shot at winning this series, they'll have to take care of the basketball. The problem is, Anthony and Iverson are two of the most turnover-proned players in the league.
Prediction: Spurs in five.
(4) Utah Jazz vs (5) Houston Rockets
This by far is the most intriguing matchup in the playoffs. Both teams are about a piece or two away from becoming an elite team in the NBA. Two Coach of the Year candidates face off in Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy. The Jazz won 51 games this season, while the Rockets won 52.
Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady ("T-Mac") will be the major difference in this series. The Jazz don't have anyone who can stop Yao (not that any team does). What makes him so difficult to guard is that, at 7' 6", he shoots 86% from the line, which makes fouling him not much of an option.
The Jazz will throw a lot of defensive looks at T-Mac, including Matt Harpring and Ronnie Brewer. Ulimately, McGrady's going to do what he wants and with three-point gunners, like Luther Head and Shane Battier, the Jazz will need to be in ten places at once to stop the Rockets' attack.
Prediction: Rockets in seven.
Check out the Eastern Conference Playoff Matchups, or keep tabs on the NBA Playoffs First Round Schedules.
