Eastern Conference:
Bulls Vs. Hawks
The two most well-rounded teams, who can get it done on both ends of the court. The Hawks are better defensively, but I think the Bulls have the most explosive player, in Melo Trimble, who can carry them in a series. The Hawks have Gentile, Hayes, Staten and Ridley who can all put together big games but none of them are going to score like Trimble.
Winner: Hawks
I think it's close but it comes down to if the Bulls can get Trimble matched up with Gibbs. That would be a huge advantage for them, if Staten is on Trimble then it's a completely different series. Additionally I'm not sure that Alex Owens can hold up against Hayes.
Western Conference:
Thunder Vs. Clippers
Let's get weird. I think Lucio Redivo is hungrier than ever this season, he's 30 and has been one of the best players in the league, but he doesn't have a ring yet. Artis is the guy who can get him that ring. For the Thunder, that one-two punch of Avramovic and Johnson could easily be enough to propel them into the conference finals.
Winner: Clippers
Artis would expose Poirier in this series, and his impact would be too much for the Thunder to overcome. It would be a really high scoring series.
Finals
Hawks Vs. Clippers
Winner: Clippers
The battle of the giants, Elvin Hayes versus Artis Gilmore. Artis has been here, he knows how to get it done, but it won't be easy. The Clippers get a lights out performance from Lucio though, and he is the difference maker in the series. Rowan Barrett is great on defense and is able to take Gentile out of the equation completely.