Mavs Hornets 2008 NBA Playoff Series Predictions

The New Orleans Hornets were the best in the West for most of the season and head into the playoff as the number two seed, facing off with the Dallas Mavericks – last year’s one seed in the West. Can the young Hornets move into round two behind their MVP candidate or will last season’s MVP, Dirk Nowitzky, carry the veteran Mavs into the second round? Jimmy Boyd’s Mavs/Hornets round one NBA Playoff predictions dissect this series.

The Argument:

The Hornets were on the outside looking in last season and now have emerged as one of the best teams in the West, but they are anything but a lock to beat the playoff tested Mavs in this series. Chris Paul has been sensation all season long, but he has struggled against other talented guards, especially Deron Williams, and I expect the savvy Jason Kidd to give the youngster all he can handle and more. Late in the year, Paul really started to struggle and as a result the Hornets fell out of first place. I can’t help but wonder if the pressure and a season worth of playing big minutes has started to catch up with him. I believe Paul and the Hornets will have their time in the sun, but I don’t think it will be this year.

These teams met on the last day of the regular season and Dallas embarrassed the Hornets by 13 points sending them a message. Kidd was sensational in the win, racking up his 100th career triple-double and backcourt partner Jason Terry added 30 points as the Mavericks guards outshined Paul. The problem for the Hornets is that Paul must put up big numbers for them to win. The advantage for the Mavs is that they have a number of guys who can go out and take over a game. Dirk Nowitzy, Josh Howard, and Jason Terry, are all capable of going for 30 and Kidd can take over a game doing everything else.

The Mavs did not want the Lakers in the first round and they got their wish. They also know the disappointment of making a first round exit after being upset by the Warriors last season. It took a little while to get things figured out with Kidd, but now they appear to be an even better team with the future Hall of Famer on the floor. Expect the Mavs to play with a chip on their shoulders and really take it to the Hornets.

Prediction:

Mavs in 6

Check out our Spurs Hornets series predictions and preview.

Make sure you check out all of Jimmy Boyd’s 2008 NBA playoff predictions to help you break down each and every series through the NBA Finals. And Sign up for one of our low-cost NBA picks packages for the most winners this postseason.

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