Extra Point

By Mike Fitzgerald

Wednesday, April 24, 1996

Bulls will lead the parade in NBA playoffs

THE real NBA season tips off tomorrow, so it's time for Fitz's Fearless Forecast of the best-of-five opening round.

This means, by law, the column must include the following warning: Do not wager your parrot, motorcycle or cousin on any of these predictions. They are FOR AMUSEMENT ONLY.


EASTERN CONFERENCE

Chicago vs. Miami: This opener should make Bulls fans a bit nervous, especially with the Heat's inside-out scoring threats of center Alonzo Mourning and guards Tim Hardaway and Rex Chapman.

Plus, Pat Riley is 14-0 in first-round playoffs and his team will be extremely physical with the Bulls.

But Michael Jordan and company are aware of all this and will not be caught sleeping, although watch for Miami to steal one game.

Bulls in four.


Magic vs. Pistons: Detroit doesn't match up well in this one, even with Grant Hill coming off of such an excellent regular season. The Pistons will put Shaquille O'Neal on the free-throw line a bunch of times, but it won't matter much with the Magic raining 3-pointers on Detroit from all over the court.

Magic in three.


Indiana vs. Atlanta: This would be a no-brainer except that the Pacers' Reggie Miller is out with a fractured eye socket and center Rik Smits is banged up, which gives the Hawks a chance.

Indiana is still a stronger overall team, though, even without Miller. Pacers in four.

Cleveland vs. New York: Tough call here, the no-name Cavs against the ready-for-the-rocking chairs-Knicks.

Should be five low-scoring and close games. Look for Patrick Ewing to rise to the occasion one more time - especially since Cleveland doesn't have anyone to guard him.

Knicks in five.


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Seattle vs. Sacramento: Shawn Kemp being suspended for the first game is just what the Sonics didn't need after folding in the opening round for two straight seasons.

But it's just one game and the Sonics should overcome the Kings and Mitch Richmond, one of the league's most underrated players.

Seattle has outstanding guard Gary Payton and an excellent and underrated star of their own in Detlef Schrempf.

Sonics in four.


San Antonio vs. Phoenix: This is a tough one, despite the huge difference in regular-season records - the Spurs finished 59-23, while the injury-plagued Suns were 41-41.

Charles Barkley will continue his strong season with an even better performance in the playoffs. But David Robinson is determined to shed his "soft" playoff image and, combined with Sean Elliott, will be enough to advance.

Spurs in five.


Utah vs. Portland: The Blazers came alive near the end, after another regular season of turmoil, behind Arvydas Sabonis, Cliff Robinson and Rod Strickland.

But the bad news for Portland is that it still has to shut down the tough threesome of Karl Malone, John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek. Malone will be especially hard to stop.

Jazz in four.


Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston: Too bad one of these teams has to get eliminated in what could be the best opening series.

Magic Johnson is back in the playoffs for the Lakers and will make a big impact, along with Cedric Ceballos. But Nick Van Exel might be a bit rusty after his seven-game suspension and it looks like Anthony Peeler is out.

The defending-champion Rockets are finally healthy, though, and hit the playoffs with some momentum. Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler and company will have to play well, but should survive.

Rockets in five.


Mike Fitzgerald's commentary appears every
Monday, Wednesday and Friday.



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