Barnes: Predicting the second round of the NBA Playoffs

With the first round of the NBA Playoffs nearing completion, we can take a look at how the… With the first round of the NBA Playoffs nearing completion, we can take a look at how the second-round matchups will likely shape up in the coming week.

So far in the Western Conference, each series has gone as many expected with the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs advancing easily. In addition, the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers each lead their series against the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies, respectively.

In the Eastern Conference, the biggest story by far is the injuries to the No. 1-seed Chicago Bulls’ two best players — last year’s most valuable player Derrick Rose and center Joakim Noah. With their two best players out, the Bulls have fallen into a 3-2 hole against the Philadelphia 76ers, and Chicago’s season will likely come to a disappointing end this week.

The three other series in the East all seem to be winding down with the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers all in commanding positions.

I don’t expect any surprising comebacks in the remaining opening round series, so here are my predictions for what should be a much more closely contested second round of NBA playoff action.

Western Conference

San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers

The Spurs, favorited by some to win the title, will not have an easy time against the Clippers.

The series will feature a battle of two elite floor generals — San Antonio’s Tony Parker and the Clippers’ Chris Paul — but the performance of each team’s bench could make the difference in a tight series.

Although the Spurs might be the deepest team in the league, the Clippers also boast a strong bench that can keep up with the likes of San Antonio’s Stephen Jackson, Manu Ginobili and former Pitt Panther DeJuan Blair. Coming off the Clippers’ pine are players like Kenyon Martin, Reggie Evans, Nick Young and Mo Williams. Williams and Young will counter the scoring burst Ginobili gives San Antonio, while Evans and Martin will provide defensive reinforcements against Tim Duncan, Boris Diaw and Blair. But in the end, I believe the Spurs’ collective depth and experience will overcome the athleticism and speed of the young Clippers, a team lacking in playoff experience.

Prediction: Spurs in 7

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Arguably the league’s two best players — Kevin Durant of the Thunder and Kobe Bryant of the Lakers — will face off in this anticipated second-round series.

Fresh off a sweep of the defending-champion Dallas Mavericks, the Thunder are looking more and more like possible title contenders. But as long as Bryant is around, the Lakers also remain a threat.

Although the perimeter battle will feature many great players besides Durant and Bryant — such as James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Metta World Peace and Ramon Sessions — the key matchup in this series will occur in the paint.

Los Angeles’ forward trio of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill will need to out-perform the likes of Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison if the Lakers want to win this series, and I believe they will do just that.

Prediction: Lakers in 7

Eastern Conference

Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

With the Bulls now out of the playoff picture, the Heat have instantly become the perennial favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference and take another shot at the hardware after losing in last season’s NBA Finals to the Mavericks.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

First, the Heat have to play the Pacers, the best team remaining in the Eastern Conference in my eyes. Although Indiana is a very young team, they are a deep team and will not bow out easily to the Heat. In fact, I think they can beat the Heat.

On the perimeter, Darren Collison and George Hill give Indiana an advantage at the point guard spot over Mario Chalmers and whomever Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra throws out there. On the wings, Paul George and Danny Granger have the size and speed to bother Miami’s superstar backcourt of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James on both sides of the ball.

The Pacers also have a huge advantage inside. Expect them to continue to look into the paint, because the Heat will have no answer for the Pacers’ big-man tandem of David West and Roy Hibbert.

LeBron will have to wait yet another year to win his elusive first NBA title.

Prediction: Pacers in 6

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers

This series could really go in any direction.

By all accounts, neither team should be playing in the conference semifinals. The Celtics barely saved their playoff hopes with a strong finish to the season, and the 76ers only advanced due to injuries to Rose and Noah of the Bulls.

But Boston point guard Rajon Rondo has been incredible so far in these playoffs, and with the return of sharpshooter Ray Allen from injury, the Celtics are now as dangerous as ever.

The problem for Philadelphia is that it doesn’t have any real advantage in this series.

On the perimeter, Andre Iguodala, Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and Lou Williams will duel with the likes of Rondo, Allen and Paul Pierce. And in the post, Elton Brand, Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young will face Kevin Garnett, Brandon Bass and enforcer Greg Stiemsma. Advantage goes to the Celtics in both of those departments.

The 76ers’ youth gives them a chance, but in the end, the Celtics have too much depth and too much talent for Philadelphia.

Prediction: Celtics in 5