NDLH2 Midseason Playoff Preview

[DRiccio21]

East

#1 Washington vs #8 Milwaukee -- Washington recently dropped their first game of the year and has been the class of the NDLH2 Eastern Conference... LeBron and company should make quick work of a Milwaukee team that currently has 10 more losses than wins.

#4 Atlanta vs #5 Orlando -- Atlanta is a bit of a wildcard. With just 9 games played, there is a very good chance the Hawks won't be eligible for postseason play. Orlando, who's owner is coming off a bit of a vacation, is playing great thru 19 games and with the shooting touches of Steve Nash, Jason Terry and Ben Gordon should be able to advance to round 2.

#3 Detroit vs #6 NY -- The Pistons are also in the same boat as the Hawks as they have some work to do to become eligible for the playoffs. The Knicks are playing their best ball of the year (winners of 9 of last 10) and should be ripe to pluck off the inactive Pistons.

#2 Toronto vs #7 Cleveland -- Toronto looked to be the class of the East until the emergence of coach Chase and the Wizards. Toronto has an explosive high tempo offense led by Kobe Bryant that will roll thru the Cavs defense. The Cavs have been one of the NDL's most pleasent surprises tho with a huge improvement to a 17-17 record going into the last few weeks of the year.

2nd Round
#5 Orlando over #1 Washington -- Those guards are fantastic and i don't want to pick all chalk.
#2 Toronto over #6 NY -- Toronto's offense is too much and Knicks can't keep up without interior scoring presence.

Eastern Conf Finals
#2 Toronto over #5 Orlando -- Toronto runs and guns their way to the finals

WEST

#1 Houston vs #8 Denver -- The defending champion Rockets have been the franchise to look up at since joining the NDLH and this is still the case. The only thing that has stopped Houston is some technical issues with the ps3. Denver has been a bit of a disappointment in terms of activity this season and won't be much of an obstacle for Houston.

#4 Phoenix vs #5 OKC -- This should be a fun one. Both coaches can play the game. The difference maker will be Durant. Whenever you have 2 equal teams, i'll always take the team with the best player and Durant gets Phoenix to round 2.

#3 Portland vs #6 LAL -- While the Lakers have had a respectable first season in the league, this matchup might be a little too tough for them to overcome. Talented will ride Deron Williams all day and night until he gets to round 2.

#2 LAC vs #7 Memphis -- Packsy and the Clippers have been a bit of a surpise as they've made the jump to elite status in the NDLH. Coach MGR knows the game and will be a hell of a challenge for the Clippers. As much as i think MGR could pull off an upset, i can't go against the hot Clippers bunch.

Round 2
#1 Houston vs #4 Phoenix -- Best matchup of the playoffs. This will be a fun one with the high flying offense of Phoenix vs the sometimes methodical and always efficient Rockets team. For one of the few times, the best player on the court wont be Durant, it'll be Yao and for that i'll take Houston.

#2 LAC vs #3 Portland -- I'll flip a coin here, even matchup. Tails is Portland, Blazers move on.

Western Conf Finals
#1 Houston vs #3 Portland -- Houston isn't losing to a team that relies so much on their best 2 players like Portland does. Houston is too good and moves on to finals.


NDLH2 Finals
#1 Houston vs #2 Toronto -- I think Toronto sneaks one game in a best of 3 but Houston ultimately prevails and wins their first championship on the court after being named the champ off the court last season.

[hugme49]

Nice read. Hopefully you are right!

[dealer4014]

nice work Dave, good read!

[VTrunNgun]

Great stuff - nice read.

You've effectively put a bullseye on the Magic - thank you for that

[The_Niddler]

Good stuff Dave!

[shel311]

sad

[jeffdaddy]

Excellent read!
Thanks for doing this Dave...

[packsyD22]

Good read Dave and keepup the good work!