Orlando Magic - Toronto Raptors 

Toronto got what they wanted. They're facing Orlando on the first round instead of Detroit. Surely part of the reason was Detroit'd have been a nightmare for them and against Orlando they have chances. Orlando on the other hand'd have been more comfortable to face unexperienced Philadelphia's team but Detroit got that pleasure.

Now here's two similar teams playing against each others. The game of both teams is based to one big man in the middle and others around. Generally the previous experience from playoffs is almost even. The coaching goes for Orlando. Toronto's coach Sam Mitchell showed some bad decisions during the season while Stan Van Gundy has done great work for Orlando and reacts fastly to the gamehappenings. The equalising factor is that Orlando's bench doesn't match for Toronto's bench.

The biggest advantage for Toronto are the guards. Orlando can't match them and that's going to make the series intresting. Toronto makes the ball move and that's going to be problematic for Orlando's defence. They've actually only two good defenders, Howard and Foyle from which Foyle isn't the best mover and doesn't play much. Orlando's defence looks good at the times but man-to-man defence against a team which has one major threat from anywhere and other team capable to shoot from perimeter. Toronto's guards must attack to the paint too. Toronto was one of the best three shooters in the league and now they're definately getting space. If they shoot coldly it's a tear for them but they have a big chance to give Orlando defence more problems than they can handle. Bosh is going to be guarded tightly and other players must take responsibility too.

If it looks Orlando won't have easy time on defence that's the story on Toronto's defence too. At the end of the season whole team made much defensive errors and if that's going to continue they have no chances to stop Orlando but then they also showed some excellent defence at times. Howard is the man who makes his way trough the basket but Nesterovic who played greatly lately has the potential to slow him down and if he can do that it's a huge advantage for Toronto. If they has to doubleguard Howard it gives good space at perimeter and Toronto's rebounding hasn't been the best. Lewis is a serious throwing threat but looks like the biggest problem for Toronto is going to be Turkoglu when team concentrates more to Howard. He can drive to the basket and shoot from anywhere.

It looks like both defences're going to have serious problems and it looks almost equal match-up Orlando haveing the slight edge. Orlando having the home- and coaching-edge while Toronto has the deepness on their bench. Orlando rightfully the favourite but questionable how big favourite.

Toronto Raptors to win the series 3.91 Pinnacle 5/10

LA Lakers - Denver Nuggets 

Here we have west's 1st seed against west's 8th seed. Expect their difference was only seven wins. The most equal confrence-race ever and four great match-ups allready on the first round from west.

Lakers and Denvers are extremely dangerous playoff teams with good experience. Both teams has builded to playoffs, Denver earlier and everybody at LA are waiting much after Gasol-trade. It looks like everybody're thinking Denver's defence is weak but actually it looks more like that because their fast tempo. Their efficiency on the defence was ninth best in the league, Lakers was sixth best. At offence Lakers was also better. One of the major match-up in the series is going to be Marcus Camby against Paul Gasol. Whichone is going to do more the dirty work and who takes the control in the paint. I favour Camby but he doesn't leave the paint and gives open shots what might hurt his team. Kobe is always Kobe and Smith can't stop him.  Doubling Kobe gives more space for others. Lakers has throwing skills and Denver hasn't been the best at perimeter defence. Sounds like there's going to be a lot problems for Denver's defence but Lakers defence won't have easy time either. Carmelo and Iverson leading the offence. I believe Lakers takes the win 4-2/4-1 but I'd be surprised if this series is going to be easy for Lakers and the odds looks like I can't leave it untaken.

Denver Nuggets to win the series 6.26 Pinnacle 1/10

San Antonio - Phoenix

Last year when they met at playoffs their opening game was highscoring. It was then a message for Phoenix "we can beat you in your own game". Then Phoenix had no decent defence but now it's seen if their Shaq-trade was good or is the old man done. How much he can play? At least waiting a big game from him in the opening match. Anyway San Antonio is the defensive team who can keep every high scoring opponent in low scores. At home they need the opening win and their own gamestyle seems to be the best for it so leaning towards low scores.

Under 194,5 1.952 Pinnacle 4/10 

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