NBA second round playoff picks
East
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
It's Big 3 vs. Big 3.
Boston in 7. Miami has a ton of talent, there’s no doubt about that. But Boston has the championship experience that Miami does not. It’s going to be a grind-it-out type of series, but Boston knows this is probably its last chance at winning a championship.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls
Atlanta's going to have a hard time guarding MVP Derrick Rose.
Chicago in 6. Atlanta surprised me in beating Orlando, but Dwight Howard had no help from his teammates. Chicago has less talent than Orlando, at least offensively, but Chicago is a much more cohesive unity than the Magic. With Derrick Rose winning the MVP, and Kirk Hinrich unlikely to play in the series, Atlanta has very few people who will be able to contain Rose.
West
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Zach Randolph has stepped up his game for this year's playoffs.
Oklahoma City in 6. Memphis surprised a lot of people, myself included, in taking down the Spurs. Zach Randolph has proven that he can be a go-to player, averaging 23/9 so far through the playoffs. But OKC defeated a talented Nuggest squad 4-1. Kevin Durant is averaging 32 points per game in the playoffs and Serge Ibaka is averaging almost 5 blocks per game. And with Kendrick Perkins, the Thunder are allowing 5 fewer points per game in the playoffs; they should be able to contain Randolph and Marc Gasol.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Kobe's focus is higher than ever, trying to send Phil Jackson out on a high note.
Los Angeles in 7. The Mavericks won game 1 of this series, but Los Angeles is more talented and tougher than the Mavericks. Kobe Bryant isn’t going to allow his team to not make it back to the Finals.