The Mavs would seem to be the favorite in the West after knocking out LA, but I can't see them beating Memphis or OKC in a series. Both are fairly bad matchups that will make the Mavs look SLOW. Since westbrook continues to struggle in the playoffs, I think Memphis is going to the championship.

As for the East, I used to be fairly certain the bulls would beat the heat in the ecf, but now I'm anything but sure. As a matter of fact, the Heat are looking almost unstoppable and the Bulls haven't really put things all together in the playoffs. I still think the matchups and hca favor the bulls, but I think Taj Gibson needs a lot more time and Rose needs to get to the line more.

Grizzlies vs Heat

Heat vs Dallas

Heat will win in 5- worse possible matchup for dallas

even though Dallas won the season series 2-0?

The Mavs look slow? Maybe for dribble penetration (sparing JJB) but their ball movement is disrupting defenses.

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even though Dallas won the season series 2-0?

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Season series are always a great indicator of how the playoffs will go.

I think the Thunder and Heat play the Finals w/ the Heat winning it all. Everybody gets so focused on what the Heat DON'T have, but then they totally forget that they have 2 of probably the 3 best players in the league... both w/ playoff chops. They are going to be hard to topple for a few years.

I revise my thoughts on the West almost daily... that's how close I think the 3 remaining teams really are.

I've said it many times over... in a 7 game series, talent will almost always rule out eventually. It's easy to beat a team once in the regular season, but in a 7 game series? Different story.

[This message has been edited by ATM9000 (edited 5/11/2011 8:54p).]

the complete and total collapse of the spurs lakers and boston with the heat collusion have pretty much made this the worst NBA season I have ever seen

I'm actually hoping the Mavs win b/c after this season they are crapped out too

Heat over Thunder

In the NBA playoffs experience usually wins over talent* and the Heat have both experience and talent

*unless the Mavs are involved then it's usually the young team winning

Mavs will beat OKC or Memphis in five games and the Heat or Bulls in six.

The NBA wants the Heat to win and Mark Cuban to lose.

Dallas will have to adjust to the youth/speed of the Thunder (who will finish off the Grizz in game 6), but they will make the adjustments and win in 6.

Mavs are better equipped to beat the Heat this year than in 2006, we were much softer then and Josh Howard was more focused on getting high than playing ball.

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even though Dallas won the season series 2-0?

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I'm pretty sure that Boston beat Miami 3 out of 4 times in the REGULAR season too and we saw how that series turned out

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The NBA wants the Heat to win and Mark Cuban to lose.

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Oh good grief...I guess now you maverick fans have your built in excuse when you collapse.

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Mavs are better equipped to beat the Heat this year than in 2006, we were much softer then and Josh Howard was more focused on getting high than playing ball.

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I'm also pretty sure that the Heat are more equipped to beat anyone than they were in 2006 too.

I remember this board being full of excuses about a week and a half ago.

Nobody saw the Mavs getting through LA (or Portland for that matter). I'm not particularly encouraged by either matchup in the WCF but I feel like the Mavericks are playing better basketball than either of those teams.

I think the Heat will win the championship.

Prep, if you dont think the NBA has invested interests in which teams win I got some blinker fluid to sell you.

Tell me you still believe refs are impartial.

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Prep, if you dont think the NBA has invested interests in which teams win I got some blinker fluid to sell you.

Tell me you still believe refs are impartial.

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You must be a Mavericks fan. Guess that's why ya'll lost the 2006 Finals too right? And the 1st round playoffs to the Warriors? You still believe in the toothfairy don't you. Dang those refs hate Dallas.

Like I said, at least you'll have something to point to when you lose as opposed to your team.

The Mavs had the matchups to challenge the Lakers all along because they had size inside to match the Lakers and Jason Kidd nor JJ Barea had to defend one of the elite point guards. The Lakers are almost as old as the Mavs and just as slow.

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You must be a Mavericks fan. Guess that's why ya'll lost the 2006 Finals too right? And the 1st round playoffs to the Warriors? You still believe in the toothfairy don't you. Dang those refs hate Dallas.

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Yes. Yes. No. No. Yes.

Prep, Judge is probably right. NBA has a vested business interest in having the "best"/most popular team win. It's what sells.

Stern would have a heart attack if a Memphis (or even OKC) made it to the finals. At least Dallas is a major market.

But Stern wanted Lakers/Heat in the finals more than anything. But even NBA refs can't fix everything.

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The Mavs had the matchups to challenge the Lakers all along because they had size inside to match the Lakers and Jason Kidd nor JJ Barea had to defend one of the elite point guards. The Lakers are almost as old as the Mavs and just as slow.

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That's easy to say now but where was this analysis 2 weeks ago? Bynum was dominant against Chandler in the regular season because he has a big size advantage. Haywood was seen as demotivated. Pau was supposed to dominate the offensive end.

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The Mavs had the matchups to challenge the Lakers all along because they had size inside to match the Lakers and Jason Kidd nor JJ Barea had to defend one of the elite point guards. The Lakers are almost as old as the Mavs and just as slow.

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Shhh, any anti-Dallas opinion will be met w/ significant scrutiny in 3...2...1...

[This message has been edited by prepyag03 (edited 5/12/2011 9:40a).]

As a Mavs fan, I know better than to look ahead.

Mavs v Heat. Mavs go up 2-0, Lebron/Wade combine for 40 ppg from the FT line to win the series 4-2.

This is the first time in quite a while where I don't think there is a clear favorite to win the championship.

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Yes. Yes. No. No. Yes.

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All I needed was the first yes...I would've predicted the rest. All you mavs fans have that us against the world, the NBA hate us mentality. Never once did you stop to think maybe we're not as good as the other team. It's always some conspiracy theory that keeps you down. Give me a break.

All Mavericks have proven is 2 things 1) when you're losing you have San Antonio envy or 2) when you're good you're gonna win the NBA championship over everyone (nevermind that you've never done it...EVER.)

There's a lot of stupid in the post above me.

Who does prepy back? So I can remember which trolls belong to which teams.

[This message has been edited by Judge (edited 5/12/2011 10:08a).]

Mavs over Thunders in 6.
Heats over Bulls in 5.
Heats over Mavs in 6.

I think Memphis is a bit demoralized after losing a 16 pt lead in game 4, losing in 3 OTs; and then getting blown out by 27.

Rose cannot beat the LebronWades by himself. The Bulls peaked in the regular season. The LebronWades are peaking now.

Then again, I gave the Mavs no chance to beat LA, so maybe they can beat Miami.

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There's a lot of stupid in the post above me.

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Oh that's right, because I don't agree the Mavs are the end all be all in basketball I'm stupid. coming from a butthurt mavs fan looking for validity in the NBA that train's never late lol.

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Who does prepy back? So I can remember which trolls belong to which teams.

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Again, why is it that if a poster doesn't back the mavs they're a troll? Honest question? And I don't have a team, I just enjoy basketball. BUt I know it fits your argument if I'm a Rockets or Spurs fan so you can paint me however you need to...sounds like you need the help w/ you resorting to name calling

prepyag, go on the record with how good you think the Mavs are. How do you expect them to do against the remaining 4 possible opponents and how did you expect them to do in the first 2 rounds?

Before the playoffs I had them losing to every team in the West except maybe Memphis and New Orleans which both would have been a tough series. I think they were able to beat LA and Portland mainly because role players that I had written off as playoff underachievers finally played good enough in certain games (Kidd, Terry, Peja, Haywood, Barea)

I don't expect them to continue to perform at this level, so the Mavs should lose to OKC or Chicago/Miami. Memphis is still up in the air. Like the Mavs I think they are riding the hot streaks of some role players that were not supposed to be this good and Randolph is playing out of his mind. They have to come back down to earth.

[This message has been edited by InternetFan02 (edited 5/12/2011 10:29a).]

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Oh that's right, because I don't agree the Mavs are the end all be all in basketball I'm stupid. coming from a butthurt mavs fan looking for validity in the NBA that train's never late lol.

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Again, why is it that if a poster doesn't back the mavs they're a troll?

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Thanks for proving my point.

[This message has been edited by Judge (edited 5/12/2011 10:31a).]

prepyag seems to be one of these anti-Dallas trolls that is only interested in generic attacks without any substance behind it

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prepyag, go on the record with how good you think the Mavs are. How do you expect them to do against the remaining 4 possible opponents and how did you expect them to do in the first 2 rounds?

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I was in the group, as was most people sans mavs "fans" that said they'd have trouble w/ most 1st round teams. I was of the opinion that they'd win round 1 like they did and lose in round 2 to either San Antonio or LA. I was also in the camp they thought San Antonio would win round 1 too so take what I say w/ a grain of salt.

I didn't see the Mavs as good as they are, but I also am not ready to give them the Western conference. I think they've had a perfect storm of good luck, aged opponents, and timely AMAZING shooting. I don't see them making 20 3 pointers from here until the championship. I think that Memphis/Ok city will give them fits, but they'll ultimately win the conference and lose to the Heat in 6 on their home floor (unless the format is still 2-3-2 then it'll be in Miami.)

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Thanks for proving my point.

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Didn't prove a single thing, other than your opinion that if someone disagree w/ you they're a troll..congrats

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prepyag seems to be one of these anti-Dallas trolls that is only interested in generic attacks without any substance behind it

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Really? this coming from a fan base that reserve the blame for all major lose on the fact the NBA doesn't want Mark Cuban to win. If that's the kind of substance you're looking for then your'e right, I have none.

What kind of substance would you like me to provide that I haven't already?

You haven't provided any substance on any thread in the past couple of days. Just regurgitating talking points you heard from someone with serious Dallas demons.

It really speaks to your ignorance, especially for someone who claims to be a "basketball fan".

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You haven't provided any substance on any thread in the past couple of days. Just regurgitating talking points you heard from someone with serious Dallas demons.

It really speaks to your ignorance, especially for someone who claims to be a "basketball fan".

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This coming from someone that's had to resort to name calling. Please tell me, what substance would you like me to add? Or did you miss where I asked that already...seems you glossed over to get right into 5th grade name calling.

OKC over Memphis in 6
Heat over Bulls in 5
OKC over Dallas in 6
OKC over Heat in 7

Please God let anyone but the Heat win.