Fans have have heard that the Eastern Conference is all about the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons, but the “Least” has more intriguing story lines than you think. Dwight Howard emerged as a star in his fourth year. LeBron James followed up his finals appearance in 2007 by winning the scoring title. And Andre Miller and Mike Bibby came out of nowhere to turn the vagabond Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks into playoff teams. This all should make for an exciting Eastern Conference playoff race.

No. 1 Boston Celtics (66-16) vs. No. 8 Atlanta Hawks (37-45): The Hawks deserve credit for making the playoffs for the first time since 1999, but let’s be real here. The Celtics are a team built to win the championship. The Hawks are just happy to be in the playoffs. Kevin Garnett may be exposed in these playoffs as a player who shrinks from the big moments, but that will not happen in this round. The Hawks will maybe win one game at home.

Prediction: Celtics in four.

No. 2 Detroit Pistons (59-23) vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers (40-42): This is a series that can actually give the veteran Pistons some problems. Andre Iguodala has become a star player. He can create his own shot, dish to teammates and get to the free-throw line. Andre Miller has had an epiphany in leading this team this year; no one outside the Sixers’ locker room foresaw the season he had. Samuel Dalembert has done a fantastic job of defending the paint for Philadelphia as well. And the Pistons just seem to have lost a bit of their edge ever since Larry Brown left after 2005. However, this Pistons team is still very talented. In the long run they will keep the run-and-gun 76ers confined to the half-court game, and will force Iguodala into some very tough shots.

Prediction: Pistons in five.

No. 3 Orlando Magic (52-30) vs. No. 6 Toronto Raptors (41-41): Dwight Howard averaged 20 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks per game in 2007-2008. Forwards Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis scored 19 and 18 points a night respectively in a season that saw Turkoglu develop into a legitimate crunch-time scorer. Translation: Do not sleep on the Orlando Magic. The Raptors have nothing on the Magic except last year’s playoff experience: a first round loss. The once mild TJ Ford vs. Jose Calderon debate at point guard has become heated, and Andrea Bargnani disappointed in his sophomore campaign. The Magic will take care of this Raptor team, though inexperience may cause a blip or two along the way. The ONLY way the Raptors will win this series is if Bosh plays at a superstar level and puts Howard into early foul trouble in every game. I just don’t see that happening.

Prediction: Magic in five.

No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers (45-37) vs. No. 5 Washington Wizards (43-39): This is easily the most intriguing playoff series in the east. The Cavs may have beaten the Wizards in the playoffs the last two years, but they have been inconsistent in finishing the season 6-8. These teams split their season series, each winning both games on their home floor. And the trash talk between them has been scintillating:

Gilbert Arenas: “I think everybody wants Cleveland in that first round.”

Deshawn Stevenson: “LeBron is overrated.”

LeBron James’ response to Stevenson: “With DeShawn Stevenson, it’s kind of funny. It’s almost like Jay-Z [responding to a negative comment] made by Soulja Boy. It doesn’t make sense.”

While the Cavs are being counted out by many observers, they should defeat this Wizard team. James, with the playoffs here, will stop resting his sore back and will dazzle once again. The Wizards cannot guard him, and that will be proven in this series. Washington will put up an inspired fight, but will watch the second round of the playoffs at home once again.

Prediction: Cavaliers in six.

Finals Prediction: The Los Angeles Lakers will defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games, and Kobe Bryant will be the NBA finals MVP.