Looking Back: My 1st Round Predictions

Now's the time to look back and laugh at me for my 1st round predictions. Let's look at how I did.

Detroit Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks
My Pick: Pistons in 5.
Actual: Pistons in 5
Comments: Hey, off to a good start! I figured Milwaukee would be able to steal one game from Detroit, which they did in Game 3. After that, it was all Detroit.

Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls
My Pick: Heat in 5.
Actual: Heat in 6.
Comments: The Bulls were better than I thought, and they made the Heat look very bad in Games 3 and 4. They neutralized Shaq Fu a little more than I thought, but then he took over in the series clincher.

New Jersey Nets vs. Indiana Pacers
My Pick: Nets in 7.
Actual: Nets in 6.
Comments: Through 4 games, I was feeling confident here. The Pacers were playing well, and the Nets weren't getting enough help from those not part of the Big 3. In Games 5 and 6, the Nets played a little better, despite Anthony Johnson (Anthony Johnson!) dropping 40 on Kidd and the Nets in Game 6.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards
My Pick: Cavs in 7.
Actual: Cavs in 6.
Comments: Well, the most entertaining series of the first round, partly because of 3 game-winners for the Cavs giving them 3 1-point victories, and partly because there was little to no defense being played all series, and I'm shallow like that.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Sacramento Kings
My Pick: Spurs in 5.
Actual: Spurs in 6.
Comments: I knew the Kings would be able to make this competitive, but they were better than I thought. I barely knew of Kevin Martin before this series, but he played very well and even got a game-winner. Bonzi Wells (note: in a contract year) dominated Bruce Bowen all series long. Very entertaining series to watch.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers
My Pick: Lakers in 7.
Actual: Suns in 7.
Comments: See here.

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
My Pick: Nuggets in 6.
Actual: Clippers in 5.
Comments: Well, I counted on a couple of things that didn't happen: 1) Carmelo being able to dominate a couple of games and win them by himself. 2) Most importantly, the Nuggets actually showing up. This isn't meant as a slight to the Clippers, because they had an excellent series, and they should be optimistic about their chances next round, but the Nuggets didn't really come to play. Other than Game 1, what an awful series.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
My Pick: Mavs in 6.
Actual: Mavs in 4.
Comments: I knew Dirk & Co. were good, but in hindsight, I underrated them. They're tough defensively, and Dirk is one of the top 5 players in the NBA. Great series for Dallas.

And with that, the first round predictions are officially in the book. Now on to Round 2 Predictions, which I'll cover in my next post.