2009 NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals

Four Teams are left & a win in this series match up will matter now with not only the conference title on the line but also the chance to play for the NBA's Grandest Stage, The NBA Finals.


(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs.(2) Denver Nuggets

Series
Lakers Win 4-2

game 1: Nuggets 103 at Lakers 105
game 2: Nuggets 106 at Lakers 103
game 3: Lakers 103 at Nuggets 97
game 4: Lakers 101 at Nuggets 120
game 5: Nuggets 94 at Lakers 103
game 6: Lakers 119 at Nuggets 92


After a grueling 7 game series against the Houston Rockets. The Los Angeles Lakers will now defend their western conference title against a much bigger & more talented team, the new west powerhouse, the Denver Nuggets. after 5 years of playoffs first round disappointments, the nuggets have found what they need to go further in the playoffs, Chauncey Billups. With Chaunceys leadership, the talent of this Denver team has now been fully utilized and have been on an unstoppable momentum even before the playoffs began. If they continue to play as a team & their reserves stay energized off the bench, they'll take this series away from the defending west conference champs. The Lakers will have a much tougher series this time around than the previous one. The Nuggets are not known for their defense but they have a much bigger lineup than the Rockets. Pau Gasol & Andrew Bynum will have to exert more effort off the glass & on defense. Also, the Lakers reserve should step up to the challenge of the other teams bench. Kobe Bryant should do more of an imitation of himself more often then the last previous series for them to defend their title. Lakers will still win this on a game 7 thriller.




(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs.(3) Orlando Magic

Series
Magic leads 3-2

game 1: Magic 107 at Cavaliers 106
game 2: Magic 95 at Cavaliers 96
game 3: Cavaliers 89 at Magic 99
game 4: Cavaliers 114 at Magic 116
game 5: Magic 102 at Cavaliers 112

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been resting for this for almost 2 weeks & the Orland Magic only had 48 hours of rest after a decisive game 7 against the defending champs Boston Celtics. The Cavs have proven to be dominant force on this years playoffs, having an 8-0 record thus far & with all that wins in double digits, they are the big favorites to win on this finals series. The Cleveland team has never been more complete to take it all the way to winning it all than any other year. Lebron James should just continue his stellar performance & his team needs to maintain their momentum & tough defense. The Magic had a tough 7 game series the previous match up but they came up big on game 7 & the game 5 post game rant of Dwight Howard awaken the coaching staff on a huge concern they should focus on. The key for the Orlando team to take this one away from Lebron is to always hand Howard the ball on every possession to draw the double team & open up their sharp shooters & hit 3s. The Cavs can't sweep this series but will still win it going up 4-3 in game 7.