NBA Playoffs 2012 Picks/Predictions: Indiana Pacers(3) Vs Orlando Magic(6)
By Chris Walder
TEAM RECORDS: Indiana Pacers (42-24) vs Orlando Magic (37-29)
SEASON SERIES: Orlando Magic (3-1)
RECORD OVER LAST 10 GAMES: Indiana Pacers (8-2) vs Orlando Magic (4-6)
KEY MATCHUP: Danny Granger vs injured Hedo Turkoglu
PREVIEW
BO-RING!!! I’m sorry in advance to all of the Pacers and Magic fans out there, but this is going to be the least watched series in the playoffs this year.
Why’s that? Well, the Orlando Magic aren’t the Orlando Magic we want to see compete.
All-Star center Dwight Howard will miss the duration of the postseason because of a recent surgery on his back. Hedo Turkoglu will not be playing at full capacity after recent cheekbone surgery. Glen “Big Baby” Davis is also nursing a sprained ankle. The biggest obstacle will be trying to overcome the loss of Howard. He’s simply irreplaceable.
Having Howard on the court created many a shot opportunity for his teammates. Guys like Jameer Nelson and Ryan Anderson aren’t capable of creating their own shot on the fly.
In reality, this series should be a walk in the park for the Indiana Pacers. Pacers all-star center Roy Hibbert (12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds) is going to have a field day in the paint. Injured power forward Glen Davis, Ryan Anderson and Daniel Orton are all the Magic really have to fend off an onslaught down low from Hibbert.
Even with the Magic at full strength, the Pacers would still be the odds on favorites. Roy Hibbert and David West form a potent duo down low, Danny Granger is having yet another solid year despite having his points per game drop a bit, Paul George is having a breakout second season and George Hill, Leandro Barbosa and Tyler Hansbrough give Indiana solid depth off the bench.
THE PACERS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IF they can stay motivated. Orlando may be at its weakest, but playing down to your opponent can come back to bite you in the end. This matchup is the Pacers for the taking. Staying focused and on point as a basketball team will be of the utmost importance. The sooner they put away the Magic, the better.
THE MAGIC WILL WIN THIS SERIES IF they start hitting three-point shots as if they were free throws. Orlando leads the league in three-pointers made (10) and attempted (27) per game. Since their only threat in the paint (Howard) is out of action, the team really has no other choice but to take their chances from behind the arc and hope for the best.
FUN FACT: The Indiana Pacers will only be making their second appearance in the NBA playoffs since 2006.
PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Game 1 – Sat April 28, Orlando at Indiana, 7 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 – Mon April 30, Orlando at Indiana, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 – Wed May 2, Indiana at Orlando, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 4 – Sat May 5, Indiana at Orlando, 2 p.m., ESPN
Game 5 * Tue May 8, Orlando at Indiana, TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 11, Indiana at Orlando, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 13, Orlando at Indiana, TBD
FINAL STAFF PREDICTIONS
Editor Christopher Walder: Indiana Pacers in 4
Writer Jason Leung: Indiana Pacers in 5
Writer John Armstrong: Indiana Pacers in 5
Writer Joe Nardone: Indiana Pacers in 5
Writer Mike Owens: Indiana Pacers in 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdKf-2QoNXw
Christopher Walder is a sports blogger and lead editor for Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter @WalderSports