Saturday, April 20, 2002
First-round NBA playoff matchups
By CHRIS SHERIDAN
AP Basketball Writer
Matchups in the first round of the NBA playoffs:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 NEW JERSEY (52-30) vs. No. 8 INDIANA (42-40)
Probable starters: Nets — Kenyon Martin (14.9 pts, 5.3 reb), Keith Van Horn (14.8 pts, 7.5 reb), Todd MacCulloch (9.7 pts, 6.1 reb), Jason Kidd (14.7 pts, 9.9 ast, 7.3 reb), Kerry Kittles (13.4 pts). Pacers — Jermaine O'Neal (19.0 pts, 10.5 reb), Ron Artest (13.2 pts. 4.9 reb), Brad Miller (13.6 pts, 8.2 reb), Reggie Miller (16.5 pts), Jamaal Tinsley (9.4 pts, 8.1 ast).
Key reserves: Nets — Richard Jefferson (9.4 pts, 3.7 reb), Lucious Harris (9.1 pts), Aaron Williams (7.2 pts, 4.1 reb), Jason Collins (4.5 pts, 3.9 ast). Pacers — Jonathan Bender (7.4 pts, 3.1 reb), Kevin Ollie (5.7 pts, 3.6 ast), Jeff Foster (5.7 pts, 6.8 reb), Austin Croshere (6.8 pts, 3.9 reb), Ron Mercer (13.9 pts).
Season series: New Jersey won 3-1, but all the games took place in November and December — long before the Pacers revamped their roster by trading Jalen Rose.
Nets edge: Kidd is a seasoned playoff performer, giving the Nets a big advantage at point guard — especially with Tinsley, a rookie, running the Pacers. New Jersey has more offensive options at its disposal, along with the homecourt advantage in an arena where it went 33-8 — third-best in the NBA.
Pacers edge: Have enough capable defenders and frontcourt bodies to possibly frustrate the Nets, who thrive when they are able to push the ball upcourt instead of grinding down into a halfcourt offense. Reggie Miller has been in more playoff games than everyone on the Nets' roster combined, which negates some of the drawbacks the Pacers have from being the league's youngest team.
Storyline: Are the Nets ready for prime time?
Prediction: Nets in 5.
No. 2 DETROIT (50-32) vs. No. 7 TORONTO (42-40)
Probable starters: Pistons — Jerry Stackhouse (21.4 pts, 5.3 ast), Chucky Atkins (12.1 pts, 3.3 ast), Cliff Robinson (14.6 pts, 4.8 reb), Ben Wallace (7.6 pts, 13.0 reb), Michael Curry (4.0 pts). Raptors — Antonio Davis (14.5 pts, 9.6 reb), Jerome Williams (7.6 pts, 5.7 reb), Keon Clark (11.3 pts, 7.4 reb), Alvin Williams (11.8 pts, 5.7 ast), Morris Peterson (14.0 pts, 3.5 ast).
Key reserves: Pistons — Corliss Williamson (13.6 pts, 4.1 reb), Jon Barry (9.0 pts, 3.3 ast), Zelijko Rebraca (6.9 pts, 3.9 reb). Raptors — Hakeem Olajuwon (7.1 pts, 6.0 reb), Chris Childs (4.1 pts, 5.1 ast), Dell Curry (6.4 pts).
Season series: Pistons won 3-1, with two of the victories coming during Toronto's 13-game losing streak.
Pistons edge: With Vince Carter sitting this one out, Stackhouse is about the only player in this series who can create his own shot. The Pistons have been superb on the road, an attribute they'll need going into a building where the resurgent Raptors have won eight in a row. Wallace should be the most dominant big man in the series.
Raptors edge: Alvin Williams is a better player than Atkins at point guard, and Toronto has a big edge in playoff experience — especially after its 12 games last season against the Knicks and 76ers. There is zero pressure on the Raptors, for whom expectations are low due to the absence of Carter.
Storyline: Only viewable on cable TV.
Prediction: Pistons in 4.
No. 3 BOSTON (49-33) vs. No. 6 PHILADELPHIA (43-39)
Probable starters: Boston — Antoine Walker (22.1 pts, 8.8 reb, 5.0 ast), Eric Williams (6.4 pts, 3.0 reb), Tony Battie (6.9 pts, 6.5 reb), Paul Pierce (26.1 pts, 6.9 reb), Kenny Anderson (9.6 pts, 5.3 ast). 76ers — Allen Iverson (31.4 pts, 5.5 ast), Eric Snow (12.1 pts, 6.6 ast), Dikembe Mutombo (11.5 pts, 10.8 reb), Derrick Coleman (15.1 pts, 8.8 reb), Matt Harpring (11.8 pts, 7.1 reb).
Key reserves: Celtics — Rodney Rogers (11.9 pts, 4.5 reb), Tony Delk (9.5 pts), Erick Strickland (7.7 pts, 2.7 ast), Mark Blount (2.1 pts, 1.9 reb). 76ers — Aaron McKie (12.2 pts, 3.7 ast), Speedy Claxton (7.2 pts, 3.0 ast), Derrick McKey (2.9 pts, 3.1 reb).
Season series: 76ers won 3-1, with two of the victories by 16 points apiece early in the season.
Celtics edge: If Walker plays down low instead of looking for too many 3-point shots, the Sixers may have trouble defending him. Boston is one of the most prolific 3-point shooting teams in league history, while the 76ers were last in the league in 3-point accuracy. The Celtics have two players capable of scoring 40 on any given night, whereas Philly has one.
76ers edge: With Vitaly Potapenko out for the series with a partially torn knee ligament, the 76ers could have a dominant advantage with Mutombo at center. The experience edge also goes to the lower-seeded 76ers, who overcame several serious injuries last season to make it to the finals a year ago.
Storyline: Iverson returns after missing a month with a broken hand.
Prediction: 76ers in 4.
No. 4 CHARLOTTE (44-38) vs. No. 5 ORLANDO (44-38)
Probable starters: Hornets — Jamal Mashburn (21.5 pts, 6.1 rev, 4.3 ast), P.J. Brown (8.4 pts, 9.8 reb), Elden Campbell (13.9 pts, 6.9 reb), Baron Davis (18.1 pts, 8.5 ast), David Wesley (14.2 pts, 3.5 ast). Magic — Tracy McGrady (25.6 pts, 7.9 reb, 5.3 ast), Darrell Armstrong (12.4 pts, 5.5 rebounds), Horace Grant (8.0 pts, 6.3 reb), Pat Garrity (11.1 pts, 4.2 reb), Mike Miller (15.2 pts, 5.3 reb).
Key reserves: Hornets — Jamaal Magliore (8.5 pts, 5.6 reb), Lee Nailon (10.8 pts, 3.7 reb), Stacey Augmon (4.6 pts), George Lynch (3.8 pts). Magic — Troy Hudson (11.7 points, 3.1 ast), Monty Williams (7.1 pts, 3.5 reb), Patrick Ewing (6.0 pts, 4.0 reb).
Season series: Hornets won 3-1, winning the final three games — including two victories five days apart in late March.
Hornets edge: In a word: size. Charlotte creates difficult matchup problems along the front line, and the point guard advantage is decidedly in the Hornets' favor. When healthy, the Hornets have a deeper and bigger team than anyone in the East, and Charlotte is entering this postseason much healthier than Orlando.
Magic edge: The have the single best player in this series — McGrady, who will be asked to carry the load for his team even more than he did during the regular season. Orlando is most successful when shooting and sharing the ball well, as evidenced by its 18-0 record when shooting at least 50 percent and its 32-2 record when having more assists than their opponent.
Storyline: More empty seats than occupied ones at Hive opener?
Prediction: Hornets in 3.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
No. 1 SACRAMENTO KINGS (61-21) vs. No. 8 UTAH JAZZ (44-38)
Probable starters: Kings — Chris Webber (24.5, 10.1 reb, 4.8 ast), Peja Stojakovic (21.2 pts, 5.3 reb), Vlade Divac (11.1 pts, 8.4 reb, 3.7 ast), Mike Bibby (13.7 pts, 5.0 ast), Doug Christie (12.0 pts, 4.6 reb, 4.2 ast). Jazz — Karl Malone (22.4 pts, 8.6 reb), Andrei Kirilenko (10.7 pts, 4.9 reb), Jarron Collins (6.4 pts, 4.2 reb), John Stockton (13.4 pts, 8.2 ast), Bryon Russell (9.6 pts, 4.5 ast).
Key reserves: Kings — Bobby Jackson (11.1 pts, 3.1 ast), Hedo Turkoglu (10.1, 4.5 reb), Scot Pollard (6.4 points, 7.1 reb). Jazz — Donyell Marshall (14.8 pts, 7.6 reb), Scott Padgett (6.7 pts, 3.8 reb).
Season series: Kings won 4-0, winning by an average of almost 23 points.
Kings edge: In all facets, they are simply a much better team than the Jazz — too fast, too sharp from the outside and too deep for Utah to contend with. They open the series with two games in the NBA's toughest arena, and they've already got the Jazz all but admitting that this is a mismatch.
Jazz edge: None whatsoever. Just read these words from coach Jerry Sloan: “Whoever they put out there, they all seem to play with a great deal of confidence against our team because we haven't been able to guard them.”
Storyline: Can Utah even keep it close against the NBA's No. 1 seed?
Prediction: Kings in 3.
No. 2 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (58-24) vs. No. 7 SEATTLE SUPERSONICS (45-37)
Probable starters: Spurs — Tim Duncan (25.5 pts, 12.7 reb), Bruce Bowen (7.0 pts, 2.7 reb), David Robinson (12.2 pts, 8.3 reb), Tony Parker (9.2 pts, 4.3 ast), Steve Smith (11.6 pts). Sonics — Gary Payton (22.1 pts, 9.0 ast), Brent Barry (14.4 pts, 5.4 reb, 5.3 ast), Jerome James (5.3 pts, 4.1 reb), Predrag Drobnjak (6.8 pts, 3.4 reb), Rashard Lewis (16.8 pts, 7.0 reb).
Key reserves: Spurs — Malik Rose (9.4 pts, 6.0 reb), Antonio Daniels (9.2 pts, 2.8 ast), Terry Porter (5.5 pts, 2.8 ast). Sonics — Vin Baker (14.1 pts, 6.4 ast), Desmond Mason (12.4 pts, 4.7 reb), Vladimir Radmanovic (6.7 pts, 3.8 ast).
Season series: Tied 2-2, with each team winning twice at home. The final two games went down to the last shot.
Spurs edge: Duncan has played particularly well over the years against Seattle, which does not have a defensive stopper along the front line. Robinson and Rose give San Antonio a decided defensive edge among the big men. Bowen is capable of shutting down Lewis as the Seattle forward returns from a long injury layoff.
Sonics edge: Can go with a small, quick lineup that forces the Spurs to make countermoves that deprive them of their height advantage. Payton tends to eat rookies alive, which is not a good sign for Parker. Barry might have been the most underrated shooting guard in the league this season, and he could exploit Smith's slow feet. Low expectations mean little pressure for the Sonics.
Storyline: Spurs have to get past Seattle before possible rematch with Lakers.
Prediction: Spurs in 5.
No. 3 LOS ANGELES LAKERS (58-24) vs. No. 6 PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (49-33)
Probable starters: Lakers — Shaquille O'Neal (27.2 pts, 10.7 reb), Kobe Bryant (25.2 pts, 5.5 reb, 5.5 ast), Derek Fisher (11.2 pts, 2.6 ast), Rick Fox (7.9 pts, 4.7 reb), Samaki Walker (6.7 pts, 7.0 reb). Trail Blazers — Rasheed Wallace (19.3 pts, 8.2 reb), Scottie Pippen (10.6 pts, 5,2 reb, 5.9 ast), Dale Davis (9.5 pts, 8.8 reb), Damon Stoudamire (13.5 pts, 6.5 ast), Bonzi Wells (17.0 pts, 6.0 reb).
Key reserves: Lakers — Robert Horry (6.8 pts, 5.9 ast), Devean George (7.1 pts, 3.7 reb), Lindsey Hunter (6.8 pts). Trail Blazers — Derek Anderson (10.8 pts, 3.1 ast), Ruben Patterson (11.2 pts, 4.0 reb), Shawn Kemp (6.1 pts, 3.8 reb), Steve Kerr (4.1 pts).
Season series: Tied 2-2, with the Blazers winning a thriller in overtime earlier this month in the teams' final meeting.
Lakers edge: Confidence. Los Angeles has knocked Portland out of the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, going to a Game 7 in the 2000 conference finals and then sweeping the Blazers rather easily in the first round a year ago. O'Neal is even more difficult for the Blazers to defend now that Arvydas Sabonis has retired.
Blazers edge: They present matchup problems for the Lakers at positions other than center and shooting guard, and they have a defender in Patterson who does a better-than-decent job of defending Bryant. Portland won both games against L.A. at the Rose Garden this season.
Storyline: First stop on Lakers' road to a three-peat?
Prediction: Lakers in 3.
No. 4 DALLAS MAVERICKS (57-25) vs. No. 5 MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (50-32)
Probable starters: Mavericks — Dirk Nowitzki (23.4 pts, 9.9 reb), Eduardo Najera (6.5 pts, 5.5 ast), Raef LaFrentz (13.5 pts, 7.4 reb), Steve Nash (17.9 pts, 7.7 ast), Michael Finley (20.6 pts, 5.2 reb). Timberwolves — Kevin Garnett (21.2 pts, 12.1 reb, 5.2 ast), Joe Smith (10.7 pts, 6.3 reb), Rasho Nesterovic (8.4 pts, 6.5 reb), Chauncey Billups (12.5 pts, 5.5 ast), Wally Szczerbiak (18.7 pts, 4.8 reb).
Key reserves: Mavericks — Nick Van Exel (18.4 pts, 6.6 ast), Adrian Griffin 7.2 pts, 3.9 reb), Greg Buckner (5.8 pts, 3.9 reb), Wang Zhizhi (5.6 pts, 2.0 reb). Timberwolves — Anthony Peeler (9.0 pts), Gary Trent (7.5 pts, 4.2 reb), Robert Pack (3.9 pts, 3.1 ast).
Season series: Tied 2-2, with the Mavericks winning twice in December. Both teams surpassed 100 points in every game.
Mavericks edge: More talent and much more depth than Minnesota possesses. The Mavs have so many good outside shooters, it will be tough for Minnesota to use the zone defenses it employed so successfully during the regular season. Coach Don Nelson must find someone who can contain Garnett, and he has several defensive specialists on his roster.
Timberwolves edge: They can run up and down with the Mavericks and engage in a shootout, which could make this series the most fun to watch of all the first-round matchups. Billups has played well against the Mavs, and Garnett feels he has something to prove after five straight first-round playoff exits.
Storyline: Dallas is not just happy to be here anymore. The Mavs think they can win it all.
Prediction: Mavericks in 5.
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First-round NBA playoff matchups
