NBA Second Push

Well the All-Star break is over and now its time to buckle up for the exciting conclusion of the NBA regular season. I made my NBA season predictions here and now I will tweak them based on what I have seen. I originally had the Suns meeting the Bulls in the Finals...Well thats not happening since the Bulls suck. The Suns could make a run to the Finals so thats not out of the question.

Eastern Conference

1. Boston Celtics: I think this is the team of destiny. They will be in the Finals some how some way. Even without Garnett the Celtics pulled off some wins and its stretches like the one without Garnett that builds character. Rajon Rando has made huge gains and he will only get better. I think the Celtics finish at 64-18.
   
2. Detroit Pistons: The Pistons have an eight game lead for second in the Eastern Conf. and their veteran play will allow them to keep this lead. I am not biting on the Detroit bait and picking them to win the Eastern Conf. or catch the Celtics. This team still lacks a strong presence in the middle that will shut down the penetration by LeBron, Pierce, etc. This is basically the same team from last year with Afflalo and Amir Johnson. Call me crazy but I just don't believe in Maxiell shutting down anybody.
   
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Sitting at 29-23 I think the LeBrons will make a big push and take over the Magic. Now I know the Cavs don't have much around LeBron but I believe in post All-Star momentum so look for Mike Brown to start Daniel Gibson. LeBron will start playing the basketball that he played during last year's playoffs.
   
4. Orlando Magic: I think the Magic finish in the top four but by the slimmest of margins. I'm still not sold on the Magic PG situation to carry them over the final stretch of the season. Dwight Howard will be getting a lot more attention and still will put up sick numbers so I feel okay with the pick. The Magic's season will come down the hot shooting of Lewis. Will he be able to keep up his play from the first part of the season? We will find out.
   
5. Toronto Raptors: Just fill in the East after the top four. I really like the Raps here just because the Wizards might be thrown off for a bit with the return of Agent 0.
   
6. Washington Wizards: Will the Wizards be able to gel with Agent 0 without losing the high out put of Butler and Jamison?
   
7. Atlanta Hawks: Mike Bibby will make the difference and help this franchise into the playoffs
8. Chicago Bulls: Erase the first half of the season and start over. Only .5 a game out from the playoffs! They can still make the playoff push!
   

Playoffs:
1. Celtics v 8. Bulls----> Celtics
2. Pistons v 7. Hawks---> Pistons
3. Cavs v 6. Wizards---> Cavs
4. Magic v 5. Raptors---> Magic

Second Round:
1. Celtics v 4. Magic---> Celtics
2. Pistons v 3. Cavs---> Cavs

Eastern Conf. Finals
Celtics beat Cavs


Western Conference

1. San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs are the ultimate second half team and they will do it again with the motivation of a repeat in mind. They are only 2 games behind the Hornets and they will catch the Hornets with big wins and big losses by the Hornets. Look for the Spurs to be healthy and ready to make the push.
   
2. Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers are 1.5 games behind the Suns for the Pacific and I think this is the year they win the Pacific. Now I know Kobe's pinky is injured but if there is one guy that will still put up points and play defense with an injury, its Kobe. This Lakers team has been together for three years and will not melt under the pressure. Look for Sasha to keep up his strong play and also Radmanovic to get some big minutes. The Lakers also get back Ariza and Bynum so that will be huge.
   
3. Dallas Mavericks: I still believe in Jason Kidd. The Mavericks are one of the strongest defensive teams in the NBA but now adding a defending first team all-defense PG into the mix will just make them better. Jason Kidd makes players around him better and if he can't score enough then bring Jason Terry into the game. This Mavs team will be a force in the second part of the season.
4. Denver Nuggets: This is a make or break season for George Karl and his Nuggets. They have all the players and all the scoring they can ask for in the lineup. I think they pass up the Jazz and win the Northwest.
   
5. Phoenix Suns: The addition of Shaq will not be that big of a push. I think Shaq goes down with an injury in three weeks or less. Take out Shaq and you are down to Nash, Amare and Barbosa...I know Basbosa put up some huge numbers two years ago but that was with him being a big piece in the pick and roll. That job is taken by Amare now.
   
6. Utah Jazz: The Jazz will not have a horrible second part of the season but will slip to the 6th spot. Remember the West is so loaded that the Jazz will probably miss the 4th seed by 2.5 games or so.
   
7. New Orleans Hornets: The Hornets drop from 1 to 7 but like the Jazz its because they lost 2 more games than the teams in front of them. I really like the makeup of the Hornets this year and they will feed off the post All-Star momentum. Let's just hope Tyson Chandler does not come down with some freak injury because he is the key for their playoff push. He is the wild card for me...can Tyson actually have a whole season of great stats and great play?!
8. Houston Rockets: The Rockets have been the hottest team in the NBA for the last month. This means they will hit a stretch where they lose 4 out of 5 games and fall behind. They will be the 9th seed with two weeks left and will have to win out to make it ahead of the Warriors.
   

Looking In: Golden State Warriors...I know the Warriors were the feel good story of the season but I've seen them in person and I'm not sold on this team to pull it out two years in a row. Just a gut feeling more than anything because they have the talent and system to pull it off but I say nooo for them this year.

Playoffs:
Spurs v Rockets---> Spurs
Lakers v Hornets---> Lakers
Dallas v Jazz---> Dallas
Suns v Nuggets---> Nuggets

Second Round:
Spurs v Nuggets---> Nuggets
Lakers v Dallas---> Lakers

Western Conf. Finals:
Nuggets v Lakers---> Lakers.