These are the matchups and predictions for the 2010 NBA quarterfinals brought to you by Shaft Sports.
#1: Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8: Oklahoma City Thunder
Lakers Regular Season Record: 57-25
Thunder Regular Season Record: 50-32
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers take tip-off against the leading scorer in the NBA, Kevin Durant and his Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers finished with the best record in the West but that’s all they have to cheer about. The Thunder are an athletic group and were the top team in shots blocked per game during the regular season. Pau Gosol, Ron Artest and Larmar Odom need to perform well for the Lakers otherwise the Thunder will have success.
Prediction: Lakers in 6 games
#2: Dallas Mavericks vs. #7 San Antonio Spurs
Mavericks Regular Season Record: 55-27
Spurs Regular Season Record: 50-32
The Dallas Mavericks mid-season trade for Brandon Haywood and Caron Butler paid off, finishing in the number two seed out West. Drik Nowitzki, Jason Terry and Jason Kidd are the unsung heroes for Mavs this season. Tim Duncan and the Spurs are a lot younger of a team then in years past. San Antonio will always be dangerous with the combo of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili in the back court. The battle in the trenches will end up telling the story of this series.
Prediction: Mavericks in 6 games
#3: Phoenix Suns vs. #6: Portland Trail Blazers
Suns Regular Season Record: 54-28
Trail Blazers Regular Season Record: 50-32
Amar’e Stoudemire is playing the best basketball of his career this season for the Suns. Who would have thought during the deadline they were seriously considering shipping him out? Suns guard Steve Nash has benefited from Grant Hill rejuvenating his career. Portland leading scorer Brandon Roy is questionable for this playoff series after getting injured in the final few games of the season. If Roy is unable to play, the Trail Blazers 50 win season will go to waste.
Prediction: Suns in 5 games
#4: Denver Nuggets vs. #5: Utah Jazz
Nuggets Regular Season Record: 53-29
Jazz Regular Season Record: 53-29
Both teams finished tied within the Northwest Division with a 53-29 record respectively. The Jazz have two of their première players questionable for this playoff series which blonds well for the Nuggets. Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko are two key components that make the Jazz click on both end of the floor. The duo of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups give the Nuggets two legitimate scoring threats. Add 3-oint specialist J.R. Smith to the mix and the Jazz will have a tough time defending all these scorers.
Prediction: Nuggets in 5games
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