Adam Spence (AS), Kyle Gullett (KG), & Dalton Belcher (DB). The guys give the rest of their picks for the upcoming NBA Playoffs!
AS Second Round
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs No. 5 Brooklyn Nets (44-38):
The Pacers vanquish the highly experienced Nets in this series with their athleticism and defense. Paul George puts together and impressive string of games in a series i see only going 5 games.
No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28) vs No. 3 Chicago Bulls (48-34):
Joakim Noah puts up a valiant effort in this one, but the overwhelming talent of The Heat prevail in 6 games.
Western Conference
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No. 4 Houston Rockets (54-28): The Spurs continue their run to The Championship taking down The Rockets in a grueling 7 game series.
No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23) vs No. 6 Golden State Warriors (50-31): I see the whole effort of The Warriors getting the best of The Thunder's 1 man (oh ok two man show, Westbrook) in this series as the "Splash Brotherhood" continue on.
KG Second Round
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs No. 5 Brooklyn Nets (44-38):
Pacers in 6. The Pacers are the better team here and should be able to take the Nets down. The Nets will show some resilience behind Deron Williams and the veteran leadership of Pierce and Garnett. In the end, Paul George and the Pacers are too much for the Nets to challenge.
No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28) vs No. 3 Chicago Bulls (48-34):
Heat in 6. The Bulls always play better against the Heat. They shoot better, they defend better, and they play with even more fire and passion. The fact is though, that the Heat are more talented. The Bulls are now without Derrick Rose and Luol Deng and their offense runs on Joakim Noah at the high post. That's just not gonna get it done against the defending champs.
Western Conference
No 1. San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No 5. Portland Trailblazers (54-28):
Spurs in 6. The Trailblazers won their first round match up because of their talent at every position. Here they meet a team in the Spurs who are in my opinion the best team in the league. Not only do they have talent at every starting position, but they have more coming off the bench than the Trailblazers, and pretty much anyone else in the league. The Spurs are just too good to go down here.
No 2. Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23) vs No 3. Los Angeles Clippers (57-24):
Thunder in 7. Two extremely good teams here. Very evenly matched, but I give the nod to the Thunder because they are a better defensive team. The Clippers are as good as the Thunder offensively, maybe even a little better and more versatile, but the defense of Serge Ibaka and the Thunder push them to the conference finals.
DB Second Round
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs No. 3 Chicago Bulls (48-34)
Bulls (barely) in 7. The worst thing that could happen to a team like the Pacers, is the Bulls. When things just aren't working out for your team, running into Noah, Hinrich and the Bulls is just not good for business. The Bulls hold grudges, and no one bigger than their beef with the Heat. With the possibility of facing them in the conference finals, the Pacers are up against an extremely motivated team. This is the toughest match-up for me, the Bulls seem like a team hitting it's stride at the perfect time while Indiana looks to be on the verge of internally combusting. I think the Bulls pull off the upset and it's more of them winning than Paul George and the Pacers losing.
No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28) vs No. 5 Brooklyn Nets (44-38)
Heat in 6. Two of the oldest teams in the NBA square off. I think what propelled the Nets past the Raptors (experience and age) is what gets them defeated here. The Heat are the reigning NBA Champions, and while that may displease me so, I have to admit they're a good team. The Heat move on to face the Bulls in the most interesting conference finals in years.
Western Conference
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No. 4 Houston Rockets (54-28)
Spurs in 6. Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker are what the Rockets trio of Howard, Parsons, and Harden should strive to emulate going forward in their careers. The trio has been the very definition of success and I don't see them losing this early in the playoffs. The Rockets have the team to test the Spurs, but not overcome.
No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23) vs No. 3 Los Angeles Clippers (57-24)
Thunder in 7. Chris Paul vs Russell Westbrook for seven games... that's why basketball fans love the playoffs. Griffin vs Durant and Jordan vs Ibaka. This series will be high scoring and fun to watch. I think Durant's recent hot streak will be what pushes the Thunder into the conference finals.
AS Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28): I see The Pacers finally vanquishing their hated enemy in The Heat. Paul George and Lance Stephenson shine in this very physical and entertaining series.
Western Conference
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No. 6 Golden State Warriors (50-31): Tim Duncan and the savvy veterans get past the young gun Warriors in a very entertaining series.
KG Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
No 1. Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs No 2. Miami Heat (54-28):
This is the matchup we've all been waiting for. Is it finally the Pacers year, or will they never get over the hump? Will the Heat show their superiority once again, or fold under the pressure and physical play of the Pacers? This series should live up to all the hype. I believe it'll be the best series of the entire playoffs. The run and gun flashy play of the Heat vs the slow and physical play of the Pacers. I think that it's finally gonna be the Pacers year and that they will dethrone King James and his team. The only question is the play of Roy Hibbert, he's the X factor and had I have a good showing if he wants to win. PACERS IN 7
Western Conference
No 1. San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No 2. Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23):
The old vs the new. The big 3 try to keep the magic going and hold off Father Time for one more year, while the Thunder try to start a new era of dominance behind their own Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka. This is gonna be fun to watch. The Spurs are the best basketball team in the league because of their ball movement, team play, and their coach Gregg Popovich. And the Thunder are just riding the pure talent of Durant and Weatbrook, two of the best athletes and basketball players in the world. I think the Spurs win here because they have so many options offensively and because Westbrook will take some questionable shots and decisions down the stretch of games. SPURS IN 6.
DB Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28) vs No. 3 Chicago Bulls (48-34)
Heat in 7. It's gonna be ugly. There's no team that likes to beat the Heat more than Chicago. They'll draw charges, throw elbows, and probably come darn close to a brawl, and it will all serve to wear down the Heat. The Bulls won't win, but sometimes, I think they'd rather the Heat lose the championship than they win. Western Conference
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23)
Spurs in 7. I expect a much better playoffs performance from Ginobili than last season. I think Leonard has made enough strives that he will stifle (not stop) Durant enough to give the Spurs the win. Duncan and Pop are in the twilight portion of their career and I see them riding off into the sunset on top.
AS Finals
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No. 1 Indiana Pacers (56-26):
I feel The Pacers will win The NBA Championship, and prove everyone wrong who thought they were falling apart. The size and athleticism of The Pacers will just be too much for The Spurs to handle as they win it in 7 games.
KG Finals
No 1. Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs No 1. San Antonio Spurs (62-20):
This might not seem like a great matchup, but these are two great teams. Two very well balances teams. Two teams that play well on both sides of the ball. Now for the decisions. In my opinion, like I've said multiple times, I believe that the Spurs are the best team in the league. Their offensive balance along with their defensive intensity, team chemistry and pinpoint execution make them almost unbeatable... Almost. The Pacers also have this offensive balance, albeit less efficient but still good, they have the defensive intensity and great execution. The one thing that the pacers have on the Spurs, however, is physical dominance. This Pacers team is as physically imposing as there has been since the 2004 pistons. They are big and strong at every position and they are deep on the bench and hungry for a championship. That's why I am picking the Pacers to bring home their first ever NBA championship. PACERS IN 7!!
DB Finals
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28):
Spurs in 7. In a rematch of last year’s Finals series, the Spurs will avenge their near-win last season and claim one more ring. James, Wade, and Bosh come up short in what I think will be their last season together (can you say "opt-out") as LeBron moves onto greener pastures and Bosh/Wade hang around Miami. The Spurs are my clear favorite. They've got the best coach and the best power forward of all time on their team. Age is a factor, yes, but the Spurs have never seemed care too much about what "should" happen and instead just win.
Adam and Dalton pick the Spurs to win and Kyle has the Pacers winning the title. Adam and Kyle both have a Spurs/Pacers Finals match-up, leaving out the reigning champions, the Miami Heat. Dalton has a repeat of last year's Finals match-up.
Thanks for reading!
-Adam Spence & Kyle Gullet & Dalton Belcher
AS Second Round
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs No. 5 Brooklyn Nets (44-38):
The Pacers vanquish the highly experienced Nets in this series with their athleticism and defense. Paul George puts together and impressive string of games in a series i see only going 5 games.
No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28) vs No. 3 Chicago Bulls (48-34):
Joakim Noah puts up a valiant effort in this one, but the overwhelming talent of The Heat prevail in 6 games.
Western Conference
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No. 4 Houston Rockets (54-28): The Spurs continue their run to The Championship taking down The Rockets in a grueling 7 game series.
No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23) vs No. 6 Golden State Warriors (50-31): I see the whole effort of The Warriors getting the best of The Thunder's 1 man (oh ok two man show, Westbrook) in this series as the "Splash Brotherhood" continue on.
KG Second Round
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs No. 5 Brooklyn Nets (44-38):
Pacers in 6. The Pacers are the better team here and should be able to take the Nets down. The Nets will show some resilience behind Deron Williams and the veteran leadership of Pierce and Garnett. In the end, Paul George and the Pacers are too much for the Nets to challenge.
No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28) vs No. 3 Chicago Bulls (48-34):
Heat in 6. The Bulls always play better against the Heat. They shoot better, they defend better, and they play with even more fire and passion. The fact is though, that the Heat are more talented. The Bulls are now without Derrick Rose and Luol Deng and their offense runs on Joakim Noah at the high post. That's just not gonna get it done against the defending champs.
Western Conference
No 1. San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No 5. Portland Trailblazers (54-28):
Spurs in 6. The Trailblazers won their first round match up because of their talent at every position. Here they meet a team in the Spurs who are in my opinion the best team in the league. Not only do they have talent at every starting position, but they have more coming off the bench than the Trailblazers, and pretty much anyone else in the league. The Spurs are just too good to go down here.
No 2. Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23) vs No 3. Los Angeles Clippers (57-24):
Thunder in 7. Two extremely good teams here. Very evenly matched, but I give the nod to the Thunder because they are a better defensive team. The Clippers are as good as the Thunder offensively, maybe even a little better and more versatile, but the defense of Serge Ibaka and the Thunder push them to the conference finals.
DB Second Round
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs No. 3 Chicago Bulls (48-34)
Bulls (barely) in 7. The worst thing that could happen to a team like the Pacers, is the Bulls. When things just aren't working out for your team, running into Noah, Hinrich and the Bulls is just not good for business. The Bulls hold grudges, and no one bigger than their beef with the Heat. With the possibility of facing them in the conference finals, the Pacers are up against an extremely motivated team. This is the toughest match-up for me, the Bulls seem like a team hitting it's stride at the perfect time while Indiana looks to be on the verge of internally combusting. I think the Bulls pull off the upset and it's more of them winning than Paul George and the Pacers losing.
No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28) vs No. 5 Brooklyn Nets (44-38)
Heat in 6. Two of the oldest teams in the NBA square off. I think what propelled the Nets past the Raptors (experience and age) is what gets them defeated here. The Heat are the reigning NBA Champions, and while that may displease me so, I have to admit they're a good team. The Heat move on to face the Bulls in the most interesting conference finals in years.
Western Conference
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No. 4 Houston Rockets (54-28)
Spurs in 6. Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker are what the Rockets trio of Howard, Parsons, and Harden should strive to emulate going forward in their careers. The trio has been the very definition of success and I don't see them losing this early in the playoffs. The Rockets have the team to test the Spurs, but not overcome.
No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23) vs No. 3 Los Angeles Clippers (57-24)
Thunder in 7. Chris Paul vs Russell Westbrook for seven games... that's why basketball fans love the playoffs. Griffin vs Durant and Jordan vs Ibaka. This series will be high scoring and fun to watch. I think Durant's recent hot streak will be what pushes the Thunder into the conference finals.
AS Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28): I see The Pacers finally vanquishing their hated enemy in The Heat. Paul George and Lance Stephenson shine in this very physical and entertaining series.
Western Conference
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No. 6 Golden State Warriors (50-31): Tim Duncan and the savvy veterans get past the young gun Warriors in a very entertaining series.
KG Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
No 1. Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs No 2. Miami Heat (54-28):
This is the matchup we've all been waiting for. Is it finally the Pacers year, or will they never get over the hump? Will the Heat show their superiority once again, or fold under the pressure and physical play of the Pacers? This series should live up to all the hype. I believe it'll be the best series of the entire playoffs. The run and gun flashy play of the Heat vs the slow and physical play of the Pacers. I think that it's finally gonna be the Pacers year and that they will dethrone King James and his team. The only question is the play of Roy Hibbert, he's the X factor and had I have a good showing if he wants to win. PACERS IN 7
Western Conference
No 1. San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No 2. Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23):
The old vs the new. The big 3 try to keep the magic going and hold off Father Time for one more year, while the Thunder try to start a new era of dominance behind their own Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka. This is gonna be fun to watch. The Spurs are the best basketball team in the league because of their ball movement, team play, and their coach Gregg Popovich. And the Thunder are just riding the pure talent of Durant and Weatbrook, two of the best athletes and basketball players in the world. I think the Spurs win here because they have so many options offensively and because Westbrook will take some questionable shots and decisions down the stretch of games. SPURS IN 6.
DB Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28) vs No. 3 Chicago Bulls (48-34)
Heat in 7. It's gonna be ugly. There's no team that likes to beat the Heat more than Chicago. They'll draw charges, throw elbows, and probably come darn close to a brawl, and it will all serve to wear down the Heat. The Bulls won't win, but sometimes, I think they'd rather the Heat lose the championship than they win. Western Conference
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23)
Spurs in 7. I expect a much better playoffs performance from Ginobili than last season. I think Leonard has made enough strives that he will stifle (not stop) Durant enough to give the Spurs the win. Duncan and Pop are in the twilight portion of their career and I see them riding off into the sunset on top.
AS Finals
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No. 1 Indiana Pacers (56-26):
I feel The Pacers will win The NBA Championship, and prove everyone wrong who thought they were falling apart. The size and athleticism of The Pacers will just be too much for The Spurs to handle as they win it in 7 games.
KG Finals
No 1. Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs No 1. San Antonio Spurs (62-20):
This might not seem like a great matchup, but these are two great teams. Two very well balances teams. Two teams that play well on both sides of the ball. Now for the decisions. In my opinion, like I've said multiple times, I believe that the Spurs are the best team in the league. Their offensive balance along with their defensive intensity, team chemistry and pinpoint execution make them almost unbeatable... Almost. The Pacers also have this offensive balance, albeit less efficient but still good, they have the defensive intensity and great execution. The one thing that the pacers have on the Spurs, however, is physical dominance. This Pacers team is as physically imposing as there has been since the 2004 pistons. They are big and strong at every position and they are deep on the bench and hungry for a championship. That's why I am picking the Pacers to bring home their first ever NBA championship. PACERS IN 7!!
DB Finals
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28):
Spurs in 7. In a rematch of last year’s Finals series, the Spurs will avenge their near-win last season and claim one more ring. James, Wade, and Bosh come up short in what I think will be their last season together (can you say "opt-out") as LeBron moves onto greener pastures and Bosh/Wade hang around Miami. The Spurs are my clear favorite. They've got the best coach and the best power forward of all time on their team. Age is a factor, yes, but the Spurs have never seemed care too much about what "should" happen and instead just win.
Adam and Dalton pick the Spurs to win and Kyle has the Pacers winning the title. Adam and Kyle both have a Spurs/Pacers Finals match-up, leaving out the reigning champions, the Miami Heat. Dalton has a repeat of last year's Finals match-up.
Thanks for reading!
-Adam Spence & Kyle Gullet & Dalton Belcher