NBA Playoffs

The regular season is officially over, which means the most wonderful time of the year is here: the NBA playoffs. Things are a little different than last year when Boston was the team to beat and Andrew Bynum was out for the playoffs. Now, Cleveland holds the best record, Kevin Garnett might not play in the playoffs and the Lakers have Bynum. With plenty of upsets possible in a Western Conference loaded with capable teams at every seed, these playoffs may turn out to be more exciting than many past years. To the matchups!

Eastern Conference:

Cleveland Cavaliers (1) vs. Detroit Pistons (8): The Cavaliers enter the playoffs with the best record in the league and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Pistons have made the last six conference finals, but this year that is sure to change. Detroit struggled this season after a 22-12 start coming in as the eighth seed and grabbing the final playoff spot in the East, and they are without Allen Iverson for the playoffs. Cleveland was unbeatable at home this season, going 39-2, one short of the NBA best record at home. LeBron has been unstoppable this season, and when he wins the MVP, he will rightly deserve it. The addition of Mo Williams and the return of a healthy Delonte West make the Cavs a favorite for the title this year. The Cavs will win the series in 5.

Boston Celtics (2) vs. Chicago Bulls (7): The defending champs might be without Kevin Garnett these playoffs, and that has to scare the fans. If KG really is done for the season, then the Celtics really lose the ability to move far. However, even with Garnett missing 22 of the last 26 games the Celtics finished with 62 wins, so I can see Ray Allen and Paul Pierce carrying the load in this series. Chicago has not looked great, but they won seven of their last 10 games. Derrick Rose is a favorite for the Rookie of the Year award, and Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon have been here before. Even with Garnett out, the Celtics are too deep to lose this one. Boston in 6.

Orlando Magic (3) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (6): Orlando has to be worried going into the postseason. Their starters Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis are battling minor injuries, and they lost three of their last four games. They need to hope for speedy recoveries and hope the rust shakes off early. Dwight Howard has been amazing, leading the league in rebounds and blocks, but they need others to step up in order to make it far this season. The Sixers are primed for a good series, especially after nearly beating Detroit in last season’s first round. Thaddeus Young and Sam Dalembert need to be defensively sharp to try and slow down Howard. If I was forced to pick an upset series in the East, this would be it because of Orlando’s recent struggles. However, I can’t see Philly winning four games against a healthy Magic lineup. Orlando in 6.

Atlanta Hawks (4) vs. Miami Heat (5): This will be a great series. The Hawks have transformed from a cellar team to the best of the mediocre teams in the East. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith were on the team last year that took Boston to seven games in the first round. Great defense against Miami will be the key; stopping everyone that isn’t Dwayne Wade is possible. It might be enough to win. Wade has been ridiculous this season winning the scoring title averaging 30.2 points a game. He has been the heart and soul of this team and he alone can carry them through this series. If role players like Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers step up, it raises the chances of a Heat victory. Miami wins the series in 7.

Western Conference:

Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Utah Jazz (8): With Andrew Bynum back in the lineup the Lakers look way better than the team last season, which got to the NBA finals. They clinched the top seed in the West weeks ago and have lost only once in April. Kobe had another outstanding season and he is hungry to win a title without Shaq. The Jazz drew the short straw and finished eighth. They lost eight of their last 12 to finish the season and look shaky coming into this postseason. Carlos Boozer is not the same player since his injury and Deron Williams is only human. The Lakers look like an easy pick to get back to the NBA finals. Lakers in 5.

Denver Nuggets (2) vs. New Orleans Hornets (7): The 2-7 matchup is usually an easy pick. The No. 2 seed is going through, right? Well, not so much; only five games separated the No. 2 seed from seven this season and with the Hornets led by the best point guard in the game, Chris Paul, this makes for a great series. CP3 led the league in assists, and with David West’s high level of play, the Hornets will push Denver. Chauncey Billups leads a Denver team that hasn’t gotten out of the first round in 15 years. Carmelo Anthony is a great scorer, but he hasn’t shown the ability to win when it counts. If J.R. Smith and Nene play well, Denver should squeeze this out. Denver wins series in 7.

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San Antonio Spurs (3) vs. Dallas Mavericks (6): Without Manu Ginobli, I believe the Spurs’ streak of winning titles on the odd years is done. After NBA trophies in 2003, 2005 and 2007, we have come to expect the Spurs to collect every other year. But without their all-around star, the Spurs probably won’t get far. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker will need to squeeze out every last drop of potential out of this team to even get through Dallas. The Mavs have the following players: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and Josh Howard. They are too good of a bunch to be in sixth place and I like their chances of upsetting the Spurs. Dirk is showing signs of what he was as a former MVP and Terry will win Sixth Man of the Year. Dallas wins in 6.

Portland Trail Blazers (4) vs. Houston Rockets (5): The Blazers are one of the hottest teams in the league and look extremely good for the playoffs. They are currently riding a six-game win streak. Who’s the last team to beat them? The Houston Rockets. Even with Tracy McGrady done for the season, the Rockets have been playing very well led by the giant that is Yao Ming and their defense anchored by Ron Artest and Shane Battier. Will this be the year the Rockets get out of the first round? The Blazers are as young and inexperienced as any team, but they have not played that way. They beat the Lakers, Spurs and Nuggets this month, teams who represent the top three seeds in the West. Brandon Roy has been scary good and they look to be the biggest trouble for the Lakers if they should meet. Portland wins in 6.