The Real 2K Insider and the NBA Playoffs (part 2)

L.A. Lakers (65-17)
112.7 OffRate (3rd)
104.6 DefRate (6th)

vs

Utah (48-34)
110.1 OffRate (8th)
107.2 DefRate (10th)

Matchups (PER)
PG: Fisher (12.1) - Williams (21.6)
SG: Bryant (24.3) - Brewer (16.1)
SF: Ariza (15.5) - Miles (11.8)
PF: Gasol (22.2) - Boozer (17.5)
C: Bynum (19.9) - Okur (17.7)

Williams should have a huge advantage all series long, but the Lakers are better at every other position. The Jazz do have the bench advantage (Millsap 18.6, Kirilenko 16.8, Korver 12.1) against the Lakers (Odom 16.5, Brown 15.0, Vujacic 12.6, Walton 11.3, Farmar 9.9). However that could be taken away as Mehmet Okur does not sound optimistic about his chances of starting the series healthy.

When it's all said and done though, Kobe Bryant is the best player in this series, and Gasol as his #2 guy is just better than any duo Deron can muster, unless Boozer rejuvenates suddenly. More than likely though, he's counting the days until he gets out of Utah.

SERIES PREDICTION: Lakers in 5 games.

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Denver (54-28)
110.4 OffRate (7th)
106.8 DefRate (8th)

vs

New Orleans (49-33)
108.7 OffRate (12th)
107.0 DefRate (9th)

Matchups (PER)
PG: Billups (18.8) - Paul (30.0)
SG: Jones (9.0) - Butler (11.8)
SF: Anthony (19.0) - Stojakovic (12.5)
PF: Martin (13.6) - West (18.9)
C: Nene (18.8) - Chandler (13.4)

Like LeBron and Wade, Chris Paul was all-world this year, and if anyone can change a playoff series single-handledly, it's him. Melo should enjoy a hearty advantage over Peja, and James Posey will undoubtedly draw the assignment. West/Chandler and Martin/Nene are about as even a frontcourt matchup as one can get.

Andersen (18.1), Smith (16.8), Balkman (16.8), Kleiza (13.2), and Carter (10.8) round out a very impressive bench for Denver however, and New Orleans bench has been barren all year long. Wright (12.6), Daniels (12.6), Posey (10.8), and Armstrong (10.7) are a rather weak second unit and will likely force the Hornets starters into heavy duty in what will undoubtedly be a deep series. Lingering injuries and thin-Colorado air don't help matters for the Hornets. Chris Paul can't do everything himself, can he?

SERIES PREDICTION: Denver in 7 games.

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San Antonio (54-38)
108.5 OffRate (13th)
104.5 DefRate (5th)

vs

Dallas (50-32)
110.5 OffRate (5th)
108.4 DefRate (17th)

Matchups (PER)
PG: Parker (23.4) - Kidd (16.9)
SG: Mason (11.9) - Wright (8.6)
SF: Finley (11.4) - Howard (17.0)
PF: Duncan (24.4) - Nowitzki (23.1)
C: Bonner (15.0) - Dampier (15.7)

The Spurs will be without Manu Ginobili (22.9 PER) which is a huge blow to their chances in this series, much less their championship aspirations. The Mavs you see, still have Jason Terry (19.0) coming off their bench, along with Singleton (16.4), Bass (16.4), and Barea (13.4). Drew Gooden (18.8), Thomas (14.0), Hill (11.6), Udoka (9.5), and Bowen (5.4) are considerably weaker and depth should play a factor as the Spurs are essentially a two-man show offensively without their olympic gold medalist providing an all-star bench contribution. The Mavs traditionally matchup well with San Antonio, so this should be a very close and exciting series.

SERIES PREDICTION - Dallas in 7 games.

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Portland (54-38)
113.9 OffRate (1st)
107.8 DefRate (13th)

vs

Houston (53-29)
108.5 (15th)
103.9 (4th)

Matchups (PER)
PG: Blake (14.5) - Brooks (12.9)
SG: Roy (24.0) - Artest (15.6)
SF: Batum (12.9) - Battier (10.6)
PF: Aldridge (19.1) - Scola (17.0)
C: Przybilla (15.4) - Yao (22.6)

The starting lineups between these two teams are evenly matched, even down to the bench with Oden (18.1), Fernandez (15.4), and Outlaw (15.1) going up against Landry (17.2) and Lowry (15.0), and Wafer (14.7).

Usually I'm a big believer that defense wins championships, and Houston certainly is the better defensive team here. Portland was the best offensive team in the league this season though, and they have an edge on Houston at every position but center. Portland may struggle to score at times against this experienced Rockets squad, but it's not like Houston is going to have it's way offensively either.

SERIES PREDICTION - Portland in 7 games.