New York @ Boston Friday 7:30
Orlando @ Miami Friday 8:00
Charolate @ Milwauke Saturday 8:30
New York Knicks @ Boston Celtics
Its showtime. Amare wasnt brought to New York to beat the Raptors. He was brought in so the Knicks could go toe to toe with the elite of the Eastern Conference. Friday night he will have his first chance to prove his worth verses the defending Eastern Conference champion Celtics. Many are already predicting this as a potential play off matchup. The playoffs are too far away to predict right now so , lets see how the teams stack up right now.
Point Guard
Advantage Celtics
Dont get me wrong, Raymond Felton is a great NBA point guard. I think Larry Browns system hindered his development. He is a good defender & he can create open shots for others as well as himself. All that being said , he still is no Rondo. Felton has the potential to give Rondo some trouble but i dont expect him to be able to keep Rondo from playing his game.
Shooting Guard
Advantage Celtics
We all know about Ray Allen. Perinial All Star. Premire Shooter. Hall of Fame bound. Even though he has the advantage in this matchup, im excited to see what the ex Stanford Cardinal Landry Fields will do. He had 11points (9 from three)& 4 rebounds in his NBA debut. He will be exciting to watch.
Small Forward
Advantage Knicks
Now i know some of you will ask how i can pick against Paul Peirce in this match up but here is why. Danillo Gallinari has all the tools. He has the size . At 6'10 he is already a size mismatch for most SF's. His ability to shoot from every spot on the floor is also an advantage for him on pick & rolls. His defense comes & goes but it comes in big games. While Peirce is the better player i think Danillo may have a slight advantage in this matchup.
Power Forward
Advantage Knicks
KG is back this season looking as good as he did in his first season in Boston. But Amare is looking better than ever. When Amare is feeling it & having fun , which he seems to be having, he is scary. Garnetts defense is the only advantage that he has in this matchup. Amare loves a challenge & big games. This game gives him both. Look for Amare to fill up the stat sheet.
Center
Advantage Celtics
Mozgov is a freak of an athlete. His potential is high but playing one of the greatest centers in NBA history is going to put him at a clear disadvantage. Shaq is only a shadow of what he used to be but he consistently gives young athletic centers a slight bit of trouble. Look for that trend to continue.
Bench
Advantage Advantage
With Anthony Randolph injured the Knicks starting big men will carry alot of the load. Wilson Chandler will give the Celtics bench some problems though . The bench matchup of Toney Douglass & Nate Robinson will be interesting to watch.
Prediction
While i want to say the Celtics will win this matchup , this game means more to the Knicks than the Celtics. That extra motivation to prove that they are legit will be enough to carry them over the top.
New York 111
Boston 105
Orlando Magic @ Miami Heat Friday 8:00
The Interstate Rivalry is renewed. Division rivals Miami & Orlando clash in this early season matchup. This is game has huge implications for the playoffs. Since the Magic & Heat are in the same division , one of them will potentially be the 4th seed in the East. The Heat have 3 superstars now but is that enough for this Magic team that can play defense with the best of them?
Point Guard
Advantage Orlando
Jameer Nelson is an All Star point guard. Carlos Arroyo is a back up on most NBA teams. This is really a no-brainer.
Shooting Guard
Advantage Miami
Vince Carters glory days are behind him but that doesnt mean he is a slouch but any means. His Performance in the play offs last year motivated him to get back in the gym. He is looking as good as he did 2 years ago. D-Wade on the other hand is a tremendous talent. One of the NBAs top players in my opinion. Though his play was limited by an injury during the preseason he is still a potent player. This matchup may decide the games outcome.
Small Forward
Advantage Miami
As a Magic fan, MP is one of my favorite players. In 2009 he was instrumental in Orlando containing Lebron in the playoffs. However, Lebron has a much different cast of players now. Aside from Bosh & Wade the team isnt that much better. Expect Lebron to try to get a little redemption against MP , who for the most part, plays him very tough. If Peitrus gets into foul trouble it could be a great night for Lebron.
Power Forward
Advantage None
Chris Bosh is an All Star PF. Rashard Lewis is an All Star PF. There are two things that separate these two players. Rashards 3 point shot & Chris' consistancy. Later in the season i would pick Bosh in this matchup but just because of the magnitude of this game & Rashard being rested ill call it even.
Center
Advantage Orlando
Joel Anthony plays defense. Thats about all i can say for him in this matchup. I wouldnt be surpirised if he got a block or two. Dwight Howard on the other hand will be ready & rested for this game. He will also have the opportunity to use some of his newly acquired high post moves after training this off season with Hakeem the Dream. My prayers are with Joel Anthony
Bench
Advantage Orlando
With Mike Miller still injured , Miami doesnt have much of a bench. Big Z , Haslem Chalmers & James Jones will be expected to maintain the momentum of the team. However they will be going up against one of the best benches in the league. Bass Anderson & Gortat could all start for many teams in the NBA. This might be the biggest advantage in this game.
Prediction
Im really torn to pick a team in this game. It may boil down to chemistry in the end. The Magic have the clear advantage in as far as chemistry goes at this point. I do however see Wade & Lebron putting up some decent numbers.
Orlando 103
Miami 98
Charlotte Bobcats @ Milwaukee Bucks Saturday 8:30
These two teams made the playoffs last year. They also both made early exsits. Charlotte at the hands of the Magic & the Bucks at the hands of the Hawks. The Bucks however have made some big changes & Michael Redd is back. But this Bobcats squad can hang in there with most NBA teams. Who has the edge in this early conference matchup?
Point Guard
Advantage Milwaukee
Brandon Jennings is the truth. There is no other way to say it. D.J. Augustin isnt the most consistent point guard but he fits Larry Browns system well. Not to mention that Jennings dropped 29 , 24 & 19 on this Bobcats squad last season. Expect more of the same.
Shooting Guard
Advantage Charlotte
Steven Jackson is one of the most underrated players in the NBA in my opinion. John Salmons Made his mark last season with this team. But S.Jax is just too much for Salmons. Salmons defense , or lack there of, will cost him in this matchup.
Small Forward
Advantage Charlotte
Gerald Wallace was an All Star Selection last year & rightfully so. His defense is his biggest asset. His defense translates into easy scoring opportunities too. Its going to be a long night for Carlos Delfino.
Power Forward
Advantage None
Drew Gooden has the size to give Boris Diaw problems. Diaw has the ability to shoot outside , which will give Gooden some trouble. This should be a good matchup to watch.
Center
Advantage Milwaukee
Andrew Bogut is at a sever disadvantage in the East. Dwight Howard, Al Horford , Brook Lopez & Shaq will all beat him out of the All Star spot i think he would earn this season. At this point in his Career Nazr Mohammed is only good for the jumpball & rebounds.
Bench
Advantage Milwaukee
CDR & Maggs could start on most NBA teams. Gerald Henderson & Shuan Livingston & Tyrus Thomas do make the Bobcats bench exciting but not enough. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute & Esran Illyosva are big parts of this team. Look for them to be the deciding factor when its all said & done.
Prediction
Im going to take Milwaukee. They just have too many positives going for them to lose this game.
Milwaukee 94
Charlotte 86
Here are how i think the rest of the games in the East will go this weekend:
Sacramento Kings 82
New Jersey Nets 89
Cousins v Favors. Cousins gets the stats. Favors gets the win.
Atlanta Hawks 98
Philadelphia 76ers 90
Cleveland Cavaliers 98
Toronto Raptors 85
Byron Scott is a great defensive coach. Look for Hickson to take advantage down low.
Indiana Pacers 86
Charlotte Bobcats 84
Look for Collisons speed & Grangers size to cause problems.
Oklahoma Thunder 112
Detroit Pistons 92
Detroit is going to have alot of games like this i fear.
Washington 82
Atlanta 94
Agent Zero is out for 2 weeks. John Wall will have to be the catalyst.
Sacramento Kings 76
Cleveland Cavaliers 87
The Cavs D will be on display for the 3rd straight game.
Portland Trailblazers 92
New York Knicks 90
I think this game will be closer than most think.
Detroit Pistons 81
Chicago Bulls 92
Rose & Co. will get heir first win of the season.
Philadelphia 76ers
Indiana Pacers
I really dont know who wins this matchup. It could go either way.
Miami Heat 110
New Jersey Nets 94
The Nets will be catching an angry Heat team who will , according to my prediction, be coming off a loss.
Thats what i think will go down this weekend in the East.
Comments & Analysis are readily welcomed !
-Fraz
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