khandor’s sports blog

(2) DETROIT PISTONS (H)

(3) ORLANDO MAGIC

By the Numbers

QIR – #2 (10)
Points Differential Rank – #2
Points Allowed Rank – #1
Rebounding Differential Rank – #7

QIR – #11 (32)
Points Differential Rank – #5
Points Allowed Rank – #11
Rebounding Differential Rank – #16 

Basketball Acumen

Best in the East right now. Team D & Rebounding top notch. 5 deep in Bigs. Should be able to handle “The Man of Steel” & “Turk”. Clear-cut advantage at the PG spot with Billups & Stuckey (the Real Deal). Prince vs Lewis is the key match-up. Eyes on the Prize this year. Tough out rest of the way.

One round further than last post-season! Slightly overmatched in almost every area of the game, except for 3Pt Shooting, which should be able to keep them close in every game. Not enough quality depth at each position to take on the Big Boyz & succeed, just yet. Huge step up in class vs Detroit. 

Who will win

Detroit in 4 … although each game will be tight going to the final 6 minutes.

(2) NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (H)

(3 ) SAN ANTONIO SPURS

By the Numbers

QIR – #4 (21)
Points Differential Rank – #6
Points Allowed Rank – #5
Rebounding Differential Rank – #10

QIR – #7 (23)
Points Differential Rank – #8
Points Allowed Rank – #3
Rebounding Differential Rank – #12 

Basketball Acumen

Overmatched at the 2, 3 & 5 spots. CP3 & D-West will need to dominate in order to win more than 1 or 2 games. Unlikely vs vets Parker, Thomas, Oberto & Horry. Bryon Scott is a terrific young coach but … vs Gregg Popovich? Tremendous learning experience for the Hornets.

Best defensive team in the NBA. Parker will need to match the herculian efforts of CP3. Ginobili & Duncan KNOW HOW TO WIN games. ‘Air Force One’ best in the business, right now … unflappable, perceptive & tough-minded. Will need to be in order to get past this opponent.

Who will win

San Antonio in 6 (or 7).  Every game will be a war.