Previewing the Game 7s

With three game 7’s forthcoming in the NBA Playoffs, I thought now would be a good time to do a little preview of the games, as well as my predictions. By the time you read this, some or all of the games probably will have happened, so feel free to mock me when my picks are eventually wrong. Here we go.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons
Cleveland had the chance they were looking for to close out Detroit in Game 6 at home, but the Pistons prevailed 84-82, setting up this Game 7 in Motown, which is not real good news for the Cavs. While Cleveland was able to win Game 5 in Detroit, I don’t think they’ll have as good of luck this time around. The Detroit crowd should be a little more raucous this time around, which could fluster the young Cleveland squad.

The prevailing theme in this series is that everyone (myself included) seems to think that Detroit is the more talented team, they’re just not really playing with urgency yet. You would think that Game 7 would be a good time to play with that urgency, but if it hasn’t happened yet this series, maybe it won’t ever come. Or maybe LeBron James is just that good already. Either way, I think we’ll see more of what we saw in Games 3-6 than what we saw in Games 1-2.

That being said, I do like Detroit to take care of business at home in Game 7, although it won’t be easy. DETROIT BY 6.


Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs
As far as the quality of the teams and of the games, this has been the best series of the playoffs easily. These may be the two best teams in the NBA (especially with the way Detroit is playing right now) and 5 out of 6 games have been extremely entertaining. It's a shame the series has to end, but it does.

The Mavs will get a boost with Jason Terry returning to the lineup after missing Game 6. Although, even without Terry, the Mavs showed that they are faster and more athletic than the Spurs. So that is the real key to the game - how Parker, Ginobili and the rest stop the penetration of Devin Harris and Jason Terry. Assuming all else goes how it has been (Duncan will get his; Nowitski will get his), the guard play will determine this one.

In the end, I do love how Harris and Terry have played this series, but in a Game 7 in San Antonio, you won't find me betting against Tim Duncan, Gregg Popovich, and the defending champs. SPURS BY 3.


Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns
Like the other Western Conference matchup, this has been extremely evenly matched. We've seen a little bit of everything so far - extreme rebounding discrepancies, double OT, and the Clippers, yes those Clippers, headed to a game 7. Like the rest of the games in this series, this should be a high scoring, and it will depend on how Phoenix rebounds and if they can shoot a decent percentage from beyond the arc.

Believe it or not, I think the biggest question mark for the Suns might be Steve Nash. Don't look now, but he's been outplayed by Sam Cassell so far in this series, and in the spurts that Dunleavy has guarded Nash with Shaun Livingston, Livingston has controlled the matchup. Nash needs to make good decisions, especially down the stretch, and he needs to make some outside shots, which he hasn't done so far in this series.

This is a tough one to call, but I think the more inexperienced Clippers can win this game. Nash has been underrated all year, and he has not really impressed this series, with Raja Bell and Shawn Marion being Phoenix' best players so far. The X-Factor is Leandro Barbosa, because he has the capabilities of getting hot and scoring a quick 20. I don't think it will be enough, even in Phoenix. CLIPPERS BY 4.