DETROIT (1) - CHICAGO (5)
May 5, 7, 10, 13, 15 *, 17 *, May 21 * (* - if necessary).
Trumps of Detroit
The advantage of a home venue is a particularly important factor in fights of approximately equal teams. The optimal form of the starting five: in all four matches against Orlando, everyone scored a double-digit number of points, and the top reservist Tony McDyess became the best in the rebound team. Much depends on the mood of Rashid Wallace - the Bulls have no equal heavy forward.
Trumps "Chicago"
In the first round, the Bulls showed a lot of trump cards. Here you and Ben Gordon, who showed that he can not only score, but also play, the stunningly reliable Luol Deng, who proved that the club leadership was not mistaken, without having to give him for Po Gasol, Andres Nosoni, who, having barely recovered from his injury, returned imagine the status of a key player in the rotation of Scott Skiles. It seems that the weak front line defended Shak, Zo and Haslam in defense, making their statistics very average. This is especially important against the Trinity Rashid Wallace - Chris Webber - Antonio MacDyess.
Intrigue
Ben Wallace vs. Detroit - This is Obvious. In the regular season, this confrontation was examined under a microscope and ended in favor of the Ben team, who only once lost in the City of Motors in the last seconds after getting Chris Webber. The Argentine duel of Nosoni against Carlos Delfino is also curious.
In the regular season - 1: 3.
Forecast sports.ru - 2: 4.
CLEVELAND (2) - NEW JERSEY (6)
May 6, 8, 12, 14, 16 *, 18 * and May 20 *.
Trumps "Cleveland"
A more powerful line of "big" (Gooden - Ilgauskas - Andreson Varezhao), with which the "Nets" are experiencing problems. Outbreak at the end of the season, Sasha Pavlovich, forcing the defenders to be distracted from the hard care of LeBron James and Larry Hughes.
Trumps “New Jersey”
The same as usual: Kidd, Carter, Jefferson. Plus, the experience of playing in the playoffs, which allowed the Nets to confidently cope with the talented, but too young favorites from the Raptors.
Intrigue
Vince vs. LeBron is an argument enough to keep a close eye on the series. It is worth recalling last year’s confrontation between James and Arenas.
In the regular season - 2: 1
Forecast sports.ru - 4: 2.
Phoenix (2) - SAN ANTONIO (3)
May 6, 8, 12, 14, 16 *, 18 * and May 20 *.
Trumps "Phoenix"
Steve Nash, who is able to personally organize an attack, no matter how squeezed his comrades feel. The ability to readjust and win matches, even when the opponent does not allow you to play your favorite high-speed basketball. X-factor Leandro Barbosa, who is ready to argue with Tony Parker for the title of the fastest defender of the league.
Trumps "San Antonio"
The dim but reliable Tim Duncan does everything on the site, often leading the team not only in points and rebounds, but also in assists. In the first round, veterans Robert Orry and Michael Finley brilliantly helped the foundation with timely three-pointer (Finley even set a club record in the fifth match - 8 hits!). Both played for the “Sons” in the 96/97 season - at the dawn of a career, so they will play with a special mood.
Intrigue
Can Amara Staudemire demonstrate something similar to a fantastic performance in a series against San Antonio in 2005, when the young striker almost crushed Tim Duncan (37 points and 9.8 rebounds on average)? At that time, Staudemire, who had not yet felt health problems, first made him talk about himself as an ascending superstar. Now the rage has subsided, but against the Lakers, Amar had 24.2 points and 13.6 rebounds ...
In the regular season - 1: 2.
Forecast sports.ru - 3: 4.
UTA (4) - GOLDEN STATE (8)
May 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 *, 17 * and May 20 *.
Trumps "Utah"
The sprained ankle of Baron Davis. His performance in the sixth match against the Mavericks could have been ordinary heroism, a consequence of throwing an extra shot of adrenaline. The diligence of Carlos Boozer and the confidence of Mehmet Okur in the ability to decide the outcome of the match. Raising the status of Andrei Kirilenko, forcing the Russian to play with mood.
Trumps Golden State
The abundance of attacking options. The presence of Andris Bedrins - skilled enough and quick center to solve the problem of Okura. The lack of pressure to strive for the final victory - the Warriors have already jumped above their heads.
Intrigue
“Warriors”, whose result in the championship barely exceeded 50 percent of victories, won 7 of 9 matches against the best team of the “regular” Dallas. It is interesting to know how narrow is the specialization of the wards of Don Nelson.
In the regular season - 2: 2.
Forecast sports.ru - 4: 3.
Nikolai TSYNKEVICH