DATELINE: Adam Silver has expanded the post season to 10 games. The Sports Racer is taking back "March Madness" from all you snooty college alumni and people who live in the Midwest with no real sports team to cheer for. The rules are a little different and will be explained when I make them up as I go along.
Western Conference ROUND 1:
Golden State (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (10): The Golden State (46-11) are 6-2 over there past 8 games and would play the Phoenix Suns (31-29) in the playoffs, if the season ended today. Phoenix (2-6) has become the Jesse Pinkman of the league. The team haven’t learned chemistry and make decisions that get them into a lot of trouble. The best case scenario for Phoenix would be pulling out one game at home against Golden State. This playoff matchup is reminiscent of "D2: The Mighty Ducks". Remember? When one of the "Bash Brothers" quit hockey and the Mighty Ducks almost lost to the evil team from Iceland? The problem with Phoenix is, their "Slash Brother" isn’t going to show up at halftime during the big game. WINNER: The California Golden State Warriors of San Jose.
Memphis (2) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (9): The Memphis Grizzlies (42-16) are 5-3 over their past 8 games and have been struggling a bit on offense. The Pelicans (32-27) have an identical record over the same 8 game stretch but have ripped off 5 in a row heading into this playoff matchup. Memphis lost their last game to New Orleans in January despite the return of Zach Randolph. Even though technically Mardi Gras is over, New Orleans will soar past the 3000 miles to Graceland. WINNER: The New Orleans Horned Pelicans.
Houston (3) vs. Oklahoma City (8): The Houston Rockets (48-11) have rattled off 5 straight wins. The Oklahoma City Thunder (32-27) have lost 2 of their last 3 games since winning their previous 6. Unfortunately for the Thunder, a team can’t advance far in the playoffs when the backbone of the team is injury riddled. This is an intriguing matchup because James Harden has something to prove against his former team and Russell Westbrook has proven something with his MVP caliber play. This series has all the makings of a classic Texas sports movie but without the gridiron. The best if 5 contest will come down to a "win or go home" scenario in Houston. Kevin Durant will go down before halftime in the final game and be unable to finish. It will all come down to Russell Westbrook taking a three point shot in the final seconds but the attempt will be met with a signature block by Dikembe Mutumbo, who was named player coach. Also, the injured Looney Tunes cheering from the sideline. WINNER: THE HOUSTON TUNE SQUAD.
Portland (4) vs. San Antonio (7): The Portland Trailblazers (39-19) are 4-2 over their last 6 games. The San Antonio Spurs are 4-4 over that span. The last time the Blazers faced off against the Spurs in the playoff they were routed. The Spurs employ a media darling who treats the press like a mafia boss being interrogated by the police. San Antonio in 2015 is on the same level of a recent concert flyer I saw for a Def Leppard, Deep Purple and Tesla concert. Skeptics will say that the Spurs time has passed but after all these years, they can still rock. The bottom line is this, until San Antonio can prove to me that they can’t make a run in the playoffs and until Portland proves to me they are not somehow cursed, it’s a no brainer. WINNER: GREG "FAT TONY" POPAVICH WILL GET THE BEST OF SIDESHOW BOB
L.A. Clippers (5) vs. Dallas Mavericks (6): The Los Angeles Clippers (39-21) are 6-2 over their last 8 games. The Dallas Mavericks (39-22) are 4-4 over the past week or so. A successful NBA team is not put together by an owner with deep pockets, who slaps together a bunch of superstar players and has championship coach. Right? A successful NBA isn’t built two all-star players with a deep supporting cast and a championship coach. Right? WINNER: Mark Cuban because he will make a deal on "Shark Tank" to invest $1,200,000,000 in the Los Angeles Clippers and throwing the game.
