Post by Los Angeles Lakers on Aug 24, 2007 19:54:48 GMT -5
2011 Retro ABCA Round 2 Analysis/Preview
Cavaliers vs. Raptors[/u][/size]
Key Matchup: Jamal Crawford vs. Leandro Barbosa
The play in this series will be predicated upon the matchup at point guard. Jamal Crawford is perhaps the key reason why the Raptors managed to get passed the Celtics in their first round. His ability to make his teammates better was evident in Round 1. Crawford averaged 9.3 assists per game and was perfect from the free throw line the entire series. Barbosa is no slouch though either and managed to guide the Cavaliers past the Nets in a hard fought series. He will need to limit his turnovers though as he averaged more 3.7 a game in round 1.
Dwight Howard will need to take advantage of his savvy and overall talent against Andrew Bynum. More importantly, O.J. Mayo will have to exploit his edge over Jerod Jinks. The Raptors forward is playing out of position at SG but has managed to play well. However, defending O.J. Mayo will present a tough task for Jinks and the young Cavalier star must take full advantage of that. A beastly series from Mayo should do the trick for the Cavaliers if they want to advance.
Prediction: Cavaliers in 6
Hawks vs. Pacers[/u][/size]
Key Matchup: Andre Iguodala vs. Richard Hamilton
The Pacers benefitted from being matched up against an inexperienced and youthful team in the New York Knicks. The second round will be a whole other monster for Indiana as they go on to face the overwhelming favorites in the east - the Atlanta Hawks.
Richard Hamilton matching up against Andre Iguodala will be a duel of fantastic defense and explosive offense. Hamilton has the ability to go off at any time because of a terrific shooting stroke. Hamilton averaged 25.5 points per game and ranked eighth in points per game in the first round of the playoffs. He also took on average 22 shots per game. Iguodala is going to have to deny Rip the ball as well as force him into bad shots. If Iggy can stop Hamilton, then it'll be a tough for the Pacers to find a way to win this series.
Prediction: Hawks in 4
Lakers vs. Timberwolves[/u][/size]
Key Matchup: Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Bosh vs. Tim Duncan and Eddy Curry
This is the series that is probably the most intriguing of the second round. Why? Because it will feature a matchup of two pairs of dominant big men going toe to toe. However style of play will play a key role in how this series plays out.
Since acquiring Jermaine O'Neal, the Lakers haven't dominated the league like many thought they would. In fact it wasn't until the end of the season that the Lakers finally had some over 500 stretches. They're a team that is still adjusting and this should play in the favor of Timberwolves.
Eddy Curry and Chris Bosh have squared off numerous times. Curry has often dominated the matchups dating back to his days in Portland. It wouldn't be a surprise to anyone if these two wind up canceling each other out in the series.
This series features two of the most well rounded teams in the league. Both teams have depth and star power. It should be no surprise if this series goes a full seven games.
Prediction: Abstaining my pick.
Kings vs. Mavericks[/u][/size]
Key Matchup Eddie Griffith vs. Pau Gasol
The Kings are an intriguing team and many may question as to how they have faired so well this season. Most teams probably have had trouble against this team because of the fact that they play an unorthodox lineup. They play without a true center. Instead, their frontline boasts three power forwards. They present a backcourt thats has two players playing the opposite of their natural positions - Ginobili at PG and Marbury at SG. They are able to exploit their mismatches well enough to give teams trouble. It should be no different in the second round against the defending champs.
Eddie Griffith has been a monstrous defensive player throughout his career. He's a shotblocking machine and this is evident in his first round average of 5.8 blocks per game. He also has been able to provide the Kings with much needed rebounding - ranking third in the first round category. He will have the task and duty of defending Pau Gasol who missed a couple games in the first round. However the reigning Finals MVP will undoubtedly be on the top of his game in this second round series.
It'll be intriguing to see how the Kings backcourt of Manu Ginobili and Stephon Marbury fair against Logan Johnson and Jameer Nelson of the Mavericks. Nelson has been a turnover prone guard for much of his career and having to be defended by a bigger and stronger player in Ginobili could create problems for him. Logan Johnson on the other hand will have the task of trying to outplay Stephon Marbury who once upon a time ago won an MVP Award as a Maverick.
Prediction: Kings in 6
Cavaliers vs. Raptors[/u][/size]
Key Matchup: Jamal Crawford vs. Leandro Barbosa
The play in this series will be predicated upon the matchup at point guard. Jamal Crawford is perhaps the key reason why the Raptors managed to get passed the Celtics in their first round. His ability to make his teammates better was evident in Round 1. Crawford averaged 9.3 assists per game and was perfect from the free throw line the entire series. Barbosa is no slouch though either and managed to guide the Cavaliers past the Nets in a hard fought series. He will need to limit his turnovers though as he averaged more 3.7 a game in round 1.
Dwight Howard will need to take advantage of his savvy and overall talent against Andrew Bynum. More importantly, O.J. Mayo will have to exploit his edge over Jerod Jinks. The Raptors forward is playing out of position at SG but has managed to play well. However, defending O.J. Mayo will present a tough task for Jinks and the young Cavalier star must take full advantage of that. A beastly series from Mayo should do the trick for the Cavaliers if they want to advance.
Prediction: Cavaliers in 6
Hawks vs. Pacers[/u][/size]
Key Matchup: Andre Iguodala vs. Richard Hamilton
The Pacers benefitted from being matched up against an inexperienced and youthful team in the New York Knicks. The second round will be a whole other monster for Indiana as they go on to face the overwhelming favorites in the east - the Atlanta Hawks.
Richard Hamilton matching up against Andre Iguodala will be a duel of fantastic defense and explosive offense. Hamilton has the ability to go off at any time because of a terrific shooting stroke. Hamilton averaged 25.5 points per game and ranked eighth in points per game in the first round of the playoffs. He also took on average 22 shots per game. Iguodala is going to have to deny Rip the ball as well as force him into bad shots. If Iggy can stop Hamilton, then it'll be a tough for the Pacers to find a way to win this series.
Prediction: Hawks in 4
Lakers vs. Timberwolves[/u][/size]
Key Matchup: Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Bosh vs. Tim Duncan and Eddy Curry
This is the series that is probably the most intriguing of the second round. Why? Because it will feature a matchup of two pairs of dominant big men going toe to toe. However style of play will play a key role in how this series plays out.
Since acquiring Jermaine O'Neal, the Lakers haven't dominated the league like many thought they would. In fact it wasn't until the end of the season that the Lakers finally had some over 500 stretches. They're a team that is still adjusting and this should play in the favor of Timberwolves.
Eddy Curry and Chris Bosh have squared off numerous times. Curry has often dominated the matchups dating back to his days in Portland. It wouldn't be a surprise to anyone if these two wind up canceling each other out in the series.
This series features two of the most well rounded teams in the league. Both teams have depth and star power. It should be no surprise if this series goes a full seven games.
Prediction: Abstaining my pick.
Kings vs. Mavericks[/u][/size]
Key Matchup Eddie Griffith vs. Pau Gasol
The Kings are an intriguing team and many may question as to how they have faired so well this season. Most teams probably have had trouble against this team because of the fact that they play an unorthodox lineup. They play without a true center. Instead, their frontline boasts three power forwards. They present a backcourt thats has two players playing the opposite of their natural positions - Ginobili at PG and Marbury at SG. They are able to exploit their mismatches well enough to give teams trouble. It should be no different in the second round against the defending champs.
Eddie Griffith has been a monstrous defensive player throughout his career. He's a shotblocking machine and this is evident in his first round average of 5.8 blocks per game. He also has been able to provide the Kings with much needed rebounding - ranking third in the first round category. He will have the task and duty of defending Pau Gasol who missed a couple games in the first round. However the reigning Finals MVP will undoubtedly be on the top of his game in this second round series.
It'll be intriguing to see how the Kings backcourt of Manu Ginobili and Stephon Marbury fair against Logan Johnson and Jameer Nelson of the Mavericks. Nelson has been a turnover prone guard for much of his career and having to be defended by a bigger and stronger player in Ginobili could create problems for him. Logan Johnson on the other hand will have the task of trying to outplay Stephon Marbury who once upon a time ago won an MVP Award as a Maverick.
Prediction: Kings in 6
