NBA WIZARD 2011-2012 NBA PLAYOFFS (SEMI FINALS PREDICTIONS)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(2) MIAMI HEAT  (48-18)  VS.  (3) INDIANA PACERS  (42-24)
I expect this series to go 6 games, with the Miami Heat defeating the Pacers in Indiana in game 6.  The Pacers do have a size advantage inside with David West and Roy Hibbert, but the two players only average a combined 25.6ppg and 15.4rpg during the regular season.  I believe Miami will overcome this if Wade and Lebron average 60ppg in this series, which I believe they will.  In order for the Pacers to win this series, Danny Granger and Paul George will have to average a combined 40ppg in this series, but this will be highly unlikely with Lebron and Wade guarding both players.

Heat in 6

(4) BOSTON CELTICS  (39-27)  VS.  (8) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS  (35-31)
Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are in the final year of their contract, so one can expect this to be the Celtics last run with their current collection of aging stars.  This is predominantly the reason why I'm picking the Celtics to win this series and to seriously challenge the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.  Kevin Garnett seems to have turn back the clock and along with Rondo, will not allow the Celtics to lose more than 2 games, even with Paul Pierce ailing and not being a 100 percent.  I expect this series to go 5 maybe 6 games, but the Celtics are known to have letdowns at times, which is why I'm picking this series to also go 6 games.  The Sixers only chance of winning this series is to score over 100 points in 4 games each, because if they do, they will probably beat the Celtics every time.  If the Celtics allow the Sixers to score over a 100 points in a game, that would mean that their defense was inadequate for the night, and they win by defense not offense.

Celtics in  6

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) SAN ANTONIO SPURS  (50-16)  VS.  (5) LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS  (40-26)
The Spurs are on an absolute roll and look unbeatable, and I don't expect the Clippers to slow them down.  The only way the Clippers can win this series is if CP3 and Blake Griffin combine to average 55 or more points per game, which will not happen.  This series will convince Griffin to work on his biggest weakness - his inconsistent jump shot - because that is the only shot the Spurs are going to allow him to get.  I don't expect to see lob-cities or CP3 being left open on pick-and-roll plays, which is why I expect this series to go 5 games.  I expect the Spurs to win the first two in San Antonio, steal one game in L.A and to eventually end the series in game 5 when they return home.

Spurs in  5

(2) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER  (47-19)  VS.  (3) LOS ANGELES LAKERS
OKC like the Spurs are on a mission and the Lakers just happens to be an obstacle in their way.  The Lakers have no answer for Russell Westbrook, which is the key reason they will lose this series.  You add that to Paul Gasol's inconsistent play and you'll have to agree unless you're a Lakers fans, that L.A. have no chance of winning this series.  Well, they probably could if their three stars play out of their minds.  If Kobe, Gasol and Bynum combine to average over 65ppg and 25 or more rebounds while making over 50 percent of their shots, then the Lakers can extend this series and possibly win it in 7 games.  Obviously I do not expect the Lakers trio to average 65-25 on 50 percent shooting, which is why I'm picking this series to go 5 or 6 games.  Realistically, I expect the Thunder to end the series in L.A. in game 6.

Thunder in  6