BetDSI Releases Free NBA Bracket Contest

April 25, 2012 - PRLog -- Http://www.betsi.eu/nba-playoffs

2012 NBA Playoff Match Ups as of April 23rd NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs:

As of Monday April 23rd, Chicago is still the NBA Playoffs overall number 1 seed and Home Court advantage holder throughout the playoffs. San Antonio still has an outside chance to challenge the Bulls, creating a situation that will have both teams finishing the season playing all starters regardless of their respective Conference clinches. Both teams have had a successful April, and will look to ride that momentum into the NBA Playoffs.

Eastern Conference NBA Playoffs Seeding:

#1) Chicago Bulls - The Bulls are holding on to the NBA Playoffs number 1 seed in the East and have kept Miami at bay. Their Thursday April 12th victory versus the Heat created a four game difference in the East.  After last week’s play, Chicago has locked down the number one seed in the East.

#2) Miami Heat - The Heat will enter the NBA Playoffs as th East’s number 2 seed.  The Heat have struggled on the road in games that matter, and now have injuries to “2 of the Big 3”. Injuries to D-wade and Bosh could affect their playoff run. They will get a final road test with the Boston Celtics on April 24th.

#3) Indiana Pacers - The Pacers have really stepped up their play and will enter the NBA Playoffs as the East’s 3 seed. The Pacers close their 2012 NBA regular season with Chicago on April 24th.

#4) Boston Celtics - The Celtics are chugging along in the middle. There are glimpses of both greatness and age at this point. The Celtics will more than likely close the season at the number 4 spot. A healthy and rested Boston team could get them into the latter rounds of the NBA Playoffs. Boston still needs to keep Atlanta off of their heels for the 4 seed.

#5) Atlanta Hawks - The Hawks currently find themselves at the 5 seed. They close the season with a tough schedule including games versus playoff bound Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas. They will control their own destiny as to which seed they end up with. For the Hawks, the best case scenario is they climb to the 4 seed with some help from Miami.

#6) Orlando Magic - The Magic need some magic at this point. With just three wins in their last seven games, Orlando will be the East’s number 6 seed.  The loss of “Superman” Dwight Howard gives them little hope of doing any real damage in the NBA Playoffs.
#7) New York Knicks- The Knicks are perhaps the most interesting team in the NBA. They play with a Jekyll and Hyde personality. It is hard to know which team shows up on any given day. They will be the East’s 7 seed.  Regardless of who they play, Playoffs Linsanity will be good for NBA Playoffs TV ratings and New York ticket sales.

#8) Philadelphia 76ers - The 76ers are in a race with the Milwaukee Bucks 8th and final seed in the East. Poor play could allow Milwaukee to sneak in last minute.

Western Conference NBA Playoffs Seeding:

#1) San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs are looking at clinching the West’s number 1 seed. The Spurs have been outstanding down the stretch. The Spurs can still grab the NBA overall number 1 seed with some help from Chicago’s opponents.  In the West San Antonio will still need to outlast OKC down the stretch as well. The most likely scenario sees them as the West’s number 1 seed.

#2) Oklahoma City Thunder - The Thunder have lost the position to the Spurs again and will have to climb back on top with stellar play. OKC can still get to the 1 seed if they perform down the stretch.  A weak schedule to close the season should see them compete for the 1 spot.

#3) Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers are back to full strength with Kobe coming back from a leg injury.  That has not helped much with the Lakers dropping big games to San Antonio and OKC over the last week.  The Lakers are still holding off their LA counterpart Clippers for the 3 seed. The battle for Los Angeles supremacy will also decide the 3 and 4 seeds in the West.

#4) Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers were loaded up by adding Chris Paul season thanks to the NBA commissioner himself. That gift has created a new NBA Playoffs contender out West. There are glimpses of Championship greatness from the once considered “other LA team”, but they need to add some consistency to their performance. The Clippers will close out the season on a long road trip to the East Coast. The Clippers will challenge for the 3rd seed in the West, but will most likely enter the playoffs at the 4 seed.

#5) Memphis Grizzlies - The Grizzly’s are sitting in the 5 seed and have played well to get there.  An easy schedule to close their regular season will keep them at the 5 spot. They should enter the NBA Playoffs with some momentum on their side, but a tough first round opponent in either the Clippers or the Lakers.

#6) Denver Nuggets - The Nuggets are currently holding the 6th seed position. They face OKC and Orlando to close the season and those games will decide if they end up at the 6th or 7th seed.  Lackluster performance will give Dallas a chance to regain the 6 seed in the West.

#7) Dallas Mavericks - The Mavs are still hanging in, but have been underperforming for most of the season. This last week saw another drop in playoff position to the 7 seed.  They will need to rediscover themselves as a team to have any shot to repeat as the NBA Playoffs Champion.

#8) Utah Jazz - The Jazz will battle it out with Phoenix to make the playoffs as the West’s 8th and final seed.  To earn their playoff berth, the Jazz will have to face Phoenix head to head on the 24th.  That game will determine who gets the pleasure of facing a red hot San Antonio in the first round.