The NBA's 56th regular season came to a close on Wednesday. This weekend, 16 teams begin their playoff runs. Unlike the NHL, which also uses a 16-team playoff format, but has seen its regular season points leader win just 4 Stanley Cups since 1989, the NBA Playoffs, has played "to form". Since Magic and Bird sparked the re-birth of the league in 1979-80, the team with the best regular season record has won 13 of the 22 titles, the team with the league's 2nd-best record has won six times and the team with the league's third-best record has won two times. Just once, has a team with a regular season record not among the "top three", won the title. That was in 1995, when Houston finished the regular season with just the league's 10th-best record, but went on to win the second, of its back-to-back titles. That Rockets team, beat Utah (60 wins), Phoenix (59 wins), San Antonio (62 wins) and Orlando (57 wins), completing what may be, the most impressive playoff performance, ever. Just one other team (since the advent of the 16-team playoff format in 1984), has ever beaten four, 50-win teams, on its way to an NBA title. That was last year's Lakers, who beat Portland (50), Sacramento (55), San Antonio (58) and Philadelphia (56). The Lakers went 15-1 on their way to the title, holding homecourt advantage, in every series, except vs San Antonio. The 1995 Rockets went "just" 15-7 on their way to the title, but NEVER had the homecourt advantage in any of their four series and their four victims had a combined regular season win total of 238 games, compared to the 219 wins, Lakers' opponents combined for in last year's regular season.
The Lakers have won back-to-back titles, but did not finish this year's regular season with the league's most wins. That honor went to the Sacramento Kings, who won 61 games. The Kings were the only team this year to get to 60 wins, after NO team won 60 regular season games, last season. The 2000-01 season was the first year in which the NBA did not have a 60-win team, since the year before Magic and Bird entered the league (excluding the strike-shortened season of 1998-99). The Lakers and Spurs each won 58 games this year, while the Mavericks 57 wins, gave them the league's 4th-best total. The Nets had the East's best record, earning 52 wins. If current form holds however (21 of the last 22 champs had at least the league's 3rd-best regular season W-L record), then all teams outside of Sacramento, LA and San Antonio, can "stay home"!!
The West clearly has the league's top four teams, with only the Minnesota-Dallas series, showing any signs of a competitive opening-round match-up. There seems to be little suspense surrounding Sacramento-Utah (the Kings are 20-1 to win), SA-Seattle (the Spurs are 8-1), or LA-Portland (the Lakers are 7-1). In the East, the top three seeds, New Jersey, Detroit and Boston, are all, "major surprises", in 2002. The Nets won 50 games (52) for the first time since joining the NBA in 1976-77 and also claimed their first-ever, NBA division title. In club-history, they've been eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs, NINE times, in 10 playoff appearances!! The Pistons won 50 games this year, a season after LOSING 50!! They last won a playoff series in 1991, and over the last 10 seasons, have made the playoffs five times, losing in the opening round each time, with an overall W-L record of 6-15!! The Celtics won 49 games this year, claiming their first winning season since 1993. They last won a playoff series in 1992. Charlotte and Orlando each had 48 wins, but the Hornets won the tie-beaker, and will get homecourt advantage. Any series win by the lower-seed in the East, would hardly be much of an "upset"!!
When handicapping the NBA Playoffs, I rarely concern myself with the eventual outcome of a particular series. I have become very good at NOT forming strong opinions in regards to "who is the better team". I take each game and each day, as it comes. I LOVE this time of year, and have almost ALWAYS, been very successful. Join me for this year's NBA Playoffs, starting on Saturday, right here, EVERY DAY, on Vegas Experts!!
Below, is a brief preview of each series.
Indiana vs New Jersey: The Nets won the season series 3-1, but ALL games were played before Jan 1st, when the Pacers were a much different team. The Pacers won their final 5 games of the year, and qualified for the playoffs on the season's final day, by beating the 76ers, coupled with the Bucks losing to the Pistons. The Pacers have momemtum and should be confident. New Jersey played great at home this year (33-8 SU and 25-15 ATS) and might need to "hold serve at home", to pick up the franchise's first series win since 1984!
Toronto vs Detroit: The road team took three of the four games played this year, with Detroit going both 3-1 SU and ATS. The Pistons were 24-17 on the road and 26-15 at home this year, but that doesn't, "tell the story". Since Jan 18th, the Pistons went an UNBELIEVABLE, 18-3 SU and ATS, away from home! The Raptors are also, quite a story in 2002. After dropping 13 consecutive games after the All-Star break (and eventually 17 of 18, covering just 3 times), the Raptors finished the season (without Vince Carter) by winning 12 of their last 14 (11-3 ATS), including a perfect 8-0 SU and ATS at home!! The Raptors become just the third team in NBA history to endure a 13-game losing streak during the regular season, yet still, make the playoffs!!
Philadelphia vs Boston: Great "history" to this matchup, but all that's "ancient history". Iverson's availability will be a game-by-game decision and last year's NBA-finalists, could go home after the first round. Then again, they could be back in The Finals?? Boston finished the year well, going 10-2 SU (8-4 ATS), but did lose 3 of 4 both SU and ATS vs Philly. Both teams played well as road dogs, Philly going 15-10 ATS and the Celtics going 18-10 ATS.
Orlando vs Charlotte: Charlotte lost its first game against Orlando this year, then won the final three. The Hornets' 21-20 home record, is the WORST of any playoff qualifier this year. The Hornets will be helped by the Magic's poor 7-20 mark as a road underdog. Last year, the Hornets ROUTED the Heat in a 3-game sweep, then lost a Game 7 to the Bucks in the 2nd round, gaining some much-needed experience. Orlando lost its 1st round series to Milwaukee, 3 games to 1, with McGrady setting a 4-game series record, by attempting 123 field goals!! Orlando will need more balance than that, to advance!!
Utah vs Sacramento: The Kings had an INCREDIBLE season, considering they began the year without Webber and still posted the league's best record. Still, are they the favorites? This is a franchise that owns just ONE playoff series win (last year over Phoenix), since 1981 (when they were in KC)!!! Maybe they should be the favorite? They had the league's best home record at 36-5 (29-12 ATS) and won 12 of their last 13 road games (9-4 ATS), before losing a meaningless game in LA, on Wednesday. The Jazz last missed the playoffs in 1983. In 18 playoff seasons, they've gone 18-18 in 36 playoff series, losing 7 times in the 1st round. Stockton joined the team in 84-85 and has played in 173 playoff games, without a championship. Malone came aboard in 85-86 and has 163 playoff games, without a title. Maybe this is their "swan song". The Jazz got CLOBBERED by the Kings this year, losing by 33, 24, 26 and 8 points. One note: In 36 playoff series, the Jazz are an AMAZING 33-3 SU, in their first home game of a series (either Game 1 or 3). In Game 3 of this series, they'll most likely need a win, just to stay alive!!
Seattle vs San Antonio: The Spurs ended the season on a 9-game winning streak and earlier, from 3/1-3/25, put together a 13-game win streak. They did however, have trouble with the Sonics, splitting 4 games, with the Sonics going 3-1 ATS. The Spurs were 32-9 SU at home but just 19-21 ATS, while the Sonics went 25-16 ATS, on the road this year. Those numbers lead one to believe, this could be a competitive series? Anyone convinced??
Portland vs Los Angeles: The Lakers ended the season on a 15-game home winning streak, giving them a 34-7 SU (25-16 ATS) mark, at home. The Blazers won 12 straight from 2/17 through 3/8, but finished the year just 11-9 SU and 8-12 ATS, after that. They did win and cover both home games vs LA this season, but will have to find a way to win one of the first two games in LA, or face another early playoff exit. Last year, they lost to LA by 13, 18 and 13 points, in getting swept. Can Cheeks make a difference?
Minnesota vs Dallas: This has the makings of the first round's most entertaining series. Dallas was the only team this year, to both score (105.2) and allow (101.0), more than 100 ppg. They went "over the total" in 52 of their 82 games and owned the league's best road record, at 27-14 (27-13 ATS). The T-Wolves went 30-11 in the season's first half, but just 20-21, their second 41 games. During the year, Dallas won the first two meetings, with the T-Wolves taking the last two. Dallas beat Utah in last year's first round (the team's first series win since ' 88), while Minnesota's head coach, Flip Saunders, is in danger of becoming the first coach in NBA history, to open his career with SIX CONSECUTIVE opening round losses!! He currently has FIVE straight 1st round losses ( tying him with Jack Ramsey, of all people!), and MUST get past Dallas here, to avoid "standing alone"!!
The Lakers have won back-to-back titles, but did not finish this year's regular season with the league's most wins. That honor went to the Sacramento Kings, who won 61 games. The Kings were the only team this year to get to 60 wins, after NO team won 60 regular season games, last season. The 2000-01 season was the first year in which the NBA did not have a 60-win team, since the year before Magic and Bird entered the league (excluding the strike-shortened season of 1998-99). The Lakers and Spurs each won 58 games this year, while the Mavericks 57 wins, gave them the league's 4th-best total. The Nets had the East's best record, earning 52 wins. If current form holds however (21 of the last 22 champs had at least the league's 3rd-best regular season W-L record), then all teams outside of Sacramento, LA and San Antonio, can "stay home"!!
The West clearly has the league's top four teams, with only the Minnesota-Dallas series, showing any signs of a competitive opening-round match-up. There seems to be little suspense surrounding Sacramento-Utah (the Kings are 20-1 to win), SA-Seattle (the Spurs are 8-1), or LA-Portland (the Lakers are 7-1). In the East, the top three seeds, New Jersey, Detroit and Boston, are all, "major surprises", in 2002. The Nets won 50 games (52) for the first time since joining the NBA in 1976-77 and also claimed their first-ever, NBA division title. In club-history, they've been eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs, NINE times, in 10 playoff appearances!! The Pistons won 50 games this year, a season after LOSING 50!! They last won a playoff series in 1991, and over the last 10 seasons, have made the playoffs five times, losing in the opening round each time, with an overall W-L record of 6-15!! The Celtics won 49 games this year, claiming their first winning season since 1993. They last won a playoff series in 1992. Charlotte and Orlando each had 48 wins, but the Hornets won the tie-beaker, and will get homecourt advantage. Any series win by the lower-seed in the East, would hardly be much of an "upset"!!
When handicapping the NBA Playoffs, I rarely concern myself with the eventual outcome of a particular series. I have become very good at NOT forming strong opinions in regards to "who is the better team". I take each game and each day, as it comes. I LOVE this time of year, and have almost ALWAYS, been very successful. Join me for this year's NBA Playoffs, starting on Saturday, right here, EVERY DAY, on Vegas Experts!!
Below, is a brief preview of each series.
Indiana vs New Jersey: The Nets won the season series 3-1, but ALL games were played before Jan 1st, when the Pacers were a much different team. The Pacers won their final 5 games of the year, and qualified for the playoffs on the season's final day, by beating the 76ers, coupled with the Bucks losing to the Pistons. The Pacers have momemtum and should be confident. New Jersey played great at home this year (33-8 SU and 25-15 ATS) and might need to "hold serve at home", to pick up the franchise's first series win since 1984!
Toronto vs Detroit: The road team took three of the four games played this year, with Detroit going both 3-1 SU and ATS. The Pistons were 24-17 on the road and 26-15 at home this year, but that doesn't, "tell the story". Since Jan 18th, the Pistons went an UNBELIEVABLE, 18-3 SU and ATS, away from home! The Raptors are also, quite a story in 2002. After dropping 13 consecutive games after the All-Star break (and eventually 17 of 18, covering just 3 times), the Raptors finished the season (without Vince Carter) by winning 12 of their last 14 (11-3 ATS), including a perfect 8-0 SU and ATS at home!! The Raptors become just the third team in NBA history to endure a 13-game losing streak during the regular season, yet still, make the playoffs!!
Philadelphia vs Boston: Great "history" to this matchup, but all that's "ancient history". Iverson's availability will be a game-by-game decision and last year's NBA-finalists, could go home after the first round. Then again, they could be back in The Finals?? Boston finished the year well, going 10-2 SU (8-4 ATS), but did lose 3 of 4 both SU and ATS vs Philly. Both teams played well as road dogs, Philly going 15-10 ATS and the Celtics going 18-10 ATS.
Orlando vs Charlotte: Charlotte lost its first game against Orlando this year, then won the final three. The Hornets' 21-20 home record, is the WORST of any playoff qualifier this year. The Hornets will be helped by the Magic's poor 7-20 mark as a road underdog. Last year, the Hornets ROUTED the Heat in a 3-game sweep, then lost a Game 7 to the Bucks in the 2nd round, gaining some much-needed experience. Orlando lost its 1st round series to Milwaukee, 3 games to 1, with McGrady setting a 4-game series record, by attempting 123 field goals!! Orlando will need more balance than that, to advance!!
Utah vs Sacramento: The Kings had an INCREDIBLE season, considering they began the year without Webber and still posted the league's best record. Still, are they the favorites? This is a franchise that owns just ONE playoff series win (last year over Phoenix), since 1981 (when they were in KC)!!! Maybe they should be the favorite? They had the league's best home record at 36-5 (29-12 ATS) and won 12 of their last 13 road games (9-4 ATS), before losing a meaningless game in LA, on Wednesday. The Jazz last missed the playoffs in 1983. In 18 playoff seasons, they've gone 18-18 in 36 playoff series, losing 7 times in the 1st round. Stockton joined the team in 84-85 and has played in 173 playoff games, without a championship. Malone came aboard in 85-86 and has 163 playoff games, without a title. Maybe this is their "swan song". The Jazz got CLOBBERED by the Kings this year, losing by 33, 24, 26 and 8 points. One note: In 36 playoff series, the Jazz are an AMAZING 33-3 SU, in their first home game of a series (either Game 1 or 3). In Game 3 of this series, they'll most likely need a win, just to stay alive!!
Seattle vs San Antonio: The Spurs ended the season on a 9-game winning streak and earlier, from 3/1-3/25, put together a 13-game win streak. They did however, have trouble with the Sonics, splitting 4 games, with the Sonics going 3-1 ATS. The Spurs were 32-9 SU at home but just 19-21 ATS, while the Sonics went 25-16 ATS, on the road this year. Those numbers lead one to believe, this could be a competitive series? Anyone convinced??
Portland vs Los Angeles: The Lakers ended the season on a 15-game home winning streak, giving them a 34-7 SU (25-16 ATS) mark, at home. The Blazers won 12 straight from 2/17 through 3/8, but finished the year just 11-9 SU and 8-12 ATS, after that. They did win and cover both home games vs LA this season, but will have to find a way to win one of the first two games in LA, or face another early playoff exit. Last year, they lost to LA by 13, 18 and 13 points, in getting swept. Can Cheeks make a difference?
Minnesota vs Dallas: This has the makings of the first round's most entertaining series. Dallas was the only team this year, to both score (105.2) and allow (101.0), more than 100 ppg. They went "over the total" in 52 of their 82 games and owned the league's best road record, at 27-14 (27-13 ATS). The T-Wolves went 30-11 in the season's first half, but just 20-21, their second 41 games. During the year, Dallas won the first two meetings, with the T-Wolves taking the last two. Dallas beat Utah in last year's first round (the team's first series win since ' 88), while Minnesota's head coach, Flip Saunders, is in danger of becoming the first coach in NBA history, to open his career with SIX CONSECUTIVE opening round losses!! He currently has FIVE straight 1st round losses ( tying him with Jack Ramsey, of all people!), and MUST get past Dallas here, to avoid "standing alone"!!
