For these playoff previews we are going to take a look at each team individually, and then we are going to look at the match-up.
Boston Celtics
Strengths
What the Celtics do well.
- Defense
- High Assist Rate
- Defensive Rebounding
- Getting To The Free Throw Line
Weaknesses
Some problems the Celtics struggle with
- Turnovers
- Offensive Rebounding
- Three Point Shooting
Tendencies
Some things you are going to notice when watching the Celtics play.
- The Celtics play loose and free with the basketball. They rack up a lot of assists, but also turn the basketball over a ton too.
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For these playoff previews we are going to take a look at each team individually, and then we are going to look at the match-up.
San Antonio Spurs
Strengths
What the Spurs do well.
- Execution
- Movement without the ball
- Tough defense
Weaknesses
Some problems the Spurs struggle with
- Aging stars
- Tony Parker’s rust
Tendencies
Some things you are going to notice when watching the Spurs play.
- The Spurs aren’t a team that will run you to death, as they like to work in the half court. That doesn’t mean they can’t score. The Spurs are really good at executing their stuff in the half court.
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For these playoff previews we are going to take a look at each team individually, and then we are going to look at the match-up.
Phoenix Suns
Strengths
What the Suns do well.
- Offense
- Transition Offense
- Three Point Shooting
- Pick and Roll
- Benchplay
Weaknesses
Some problems the Suns struggle with
- Defense
- Big man depth after Amar’e and Channing Frye
- Shot selection
- Open style leads them to blow big leads
Tendencies
Some things you are going to notice when watching the Suns play.
- The Suns love to run and gun, and they will open things up every chance they get. What makes their style of fast break so difficult to stop is that they are willing to shot a 30 foot three on the break. The defense can’t just run back to the rim to protect it, because if they do the Suns will shoot the three ball.
- Prepare to see a lot of Goran Dragic. Steve Nash is going to need his rest, and when he gets it Dragic will be getting the action.
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For these playoff previews we are going to take a look at each team individually, and then we are going to look at the match-up.
LA Lakers
Strengths
What the Lakers do well.
- Kobe
- Length creates mismatches
- They take care of the basketball
- Very good defensively (again, length)
- Strong rebounding team
Weaknesses
Some problems the Lakers struggle with
Tendencies
Some things you are going to notice when watching the Lakers play.
- The Lakers are really good at using their length. What I mean by that is the Lakers long frontcourt is what create their rebounding opportunities, and their length really helps their defense.
- If Lamar Odom gets it going, watch out.
- The ball has been known to stick in Kobe’s hands from time to time.
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For these playoff previews we are going to take a look at each team individually, and then we are going to look at the match-up.
Utah Jazz
Strengths
What the Jazz do well.
- Pick and Roll
- Offensive execution
- Assist Rate (#1 in the NBA)
- Rebounding
- Getting to the line
Weaknesses
Some problems the Jazz struggle with
- Getting their shots blocked
- Free Throw Shooting
Tendencies
Some things you are going to notice when watching the Jazz play.
- The Utah Jazz are really good running their halfcourt stuff. Especially the pick and roll. You have a tremendous passer/scorer in Deron and a terrific finisher in Carlos Boozer.
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For these playoff previews we are going to take a look at each team individually, and then we are going to look at the match-up.
Atlanta Hawks
Strengths
What the Hawks do well.
- Three point shooting
- Offensive Efficiency
- Transition offense
- Offensive rebounding
- Low turnover rate
Weaknesses
Some problems the Hawks struggle with
- Defense
- Ball “sticks” once in a while
- Poor defensive rebounding
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For these playoff previews we are going to take a look at each team individually, and then we are going to look at the match-up.
Orlando Magic
Strengths
What the Magic do well.
- Shoot threes
- Defend the paint
- Inside-out ball movement
Weaknesses
Some problems the Magic struggle with
- Can settle for outside jumpers and ignore their biggest strength, which is Dwight Howard.
- Dwight Howard’s foul troubles.
- Perimeter defense
Tendencies
Some things you are going to notice when watching the Magic play.
- Obviously the Magic love to shoot the 3 pointer, and that makes sense, because they are very good at it (set the record for most threes in a season during their final game).
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For these playoff previews we are going to take a look at each team individually, and then we are going to look at the match-up.
The Chicago Bulls looked they were out of the playoffs a couple weeks ago, but after a few key Raptors broke their faces, the Bulls played their way into the final seed of the playoffs. Their reward? The Cleveland Cavaliers, who will be playing LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers
Strengths
What the Cavs do well.
- Movement without the basketball
- Defense
- Bench Play
- LeBron James
Weaknesses
Some problems the Cavs struggle with
- Rely on LeBron a little too much late
- LeBron’s shot selection late
- Guardplay other than LeBron
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