Sportz'NBA Second Round Predictions

Well, I went 6-2 in the first round predictions ... surprising losing the Nuggets over the Warriors as well as the Bulls over the Nets (I had the Nets winning that Game 7).  I did predict a Heat sweep and the Pacers winning their series in six.

So let's move on to the second round.

#1 MIAMI HEAT vs #5 CHICAGO BULLS:  The Bulls have played the Heat tougher than anybody this season.  However, these two teams are on different ends of the spectrum.  The Heat are healthy, rolling and easily dismissed the Bucks in a sweep.  The Bulls are decimated by injuries, illness and had to go the distance before finally knocking out Brooklyn.  And they will be on a quick turnaround while the Heat had about a week off.  Heat in 5.

#2 NEW YORK KNICKS vs #3 INDIANA PACERS:  Like the Heat-Bulls, this is another great throwback to the late 1990s.  The Knicks had some surprising struggles against the Celtics in the last round and J.R. Smith is having a tough time with his shot.  The Pacers are a physical team that will try to knock the Knicks out of rhythm ... which Boston was able to do.  However, Carmelo Anthony can't let us down for a possibly epic Heat-Knicks conference final, can he?  I'll take the Knicks in 6.

#1 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER vs #5 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES:  When we last saw the Thunder, they had Russell Westbrook.  He's out for the rest of the postseason and OKC is a noticeably different team.  Memphis looked great by winning four straight over the Clippers after falling down 0-2.  Memphis isn't the team that the Thunder want to face right now.  While nobody can stop Kevin Durant, Tony Allen can at least slow him up a bit.  Zach Randolph did a number on Blake Griffin in the first round that it will be interesting to see how he fairs against Serge Ibaka.  I feel the Grizz are up to the challenge and will upset the Thunder in 6.

#2 SAN ANTONIO SPURS vs #6 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS:  G-State is hitting right now.  The Spurs just dispatched the wounded in every way Lakers.  This should be a whale of a series.  I just don't like a team that relies on the jumper making in past a Spurs team that can beat you with so many different ways ... including with experience.  I think the experience of Duncan, Ginobili and Parker along with Greg Popovich gets them by the Warriors.  Spurs in 6.