Time for Round 2 of the Fake Playoffs. (The Fake Playoffs are matchups based on the premis that there is no divisions or conference in basketball. Just seed everyone one through sixteen, they giddy up!)
Something interesting to only me, probably, and frankly, I have no idea how this happened: Seven of the teams that are stil alive in the real playoffs are alive in the Fake Playoffs as well. The lone exception: the Lakers are into Round 2 of the Fake Playoffs (must not have been a 7 game series. Ba-zing!). The team that is out: the Nets, who, ironically enough, lost to the Lakers. OK, enough of that - onto the matchups!
(1) Pistons
vs.
(9) Clippers
Hell of a second round matchup, no? This has a legit chance of being a Finals matchup in the "real" playoffs.
(4) Suns
vs.
(5) Heat
A slow, grind it out, typical playoff series. Both teams have excellent perimeter defenses - expect low point totals, but clinics on how to play D at the NBA level.
(3) Mavs
vs.
(6) Cavs
Nos. 2 and 3 in the MVP voting go head to head. If it comes down to better head coaches, Mike Brown is a lock. Wait - dumb looks on your face at all times is a bad thing? Oh. Better go with the other guy then.
(2) Spurs
vs.
(10) Lakers
Kobe is guarded by Bruce Bowen, somehow who "really makes him think out there." And doesn't clothesline him, either.