EASTERN CONFERENCE:
No. 1 Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Pistons
-- Cleveland may have lost their final home game in OT, but they still went 39-2 this season. I don't see Cleveland having any problems against an Iverson-less Pistons. The only worry the Cavs will have in round 1 is they'll be overconfident. LeBron James is so good that he could probably advance playing 1 on 5. Doubting LeBron is a mistake, I got the Cavs in 4 games.
My Pick: CAVS IN 4
No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 Bulls
-- A banged up Celtics squad is facing the scariest first round team... Chicago. Derrick Rose is serious, but will he crumble under the playoff lights? Really though, if the Bulls weren't playing the Celtics in the first round I might have advanced them. But even without KG on the floor, it's going to be the Celtics moving onto the second round. ... I mean, you can't forget about the other two parts of the 3 party: Pierce and Allen.
My Pick: CELTICS IN 5
No. 3 Magic vs. No. 6 Sixers
-- The Sixers may have a chance in this one. I personally think that the Magic are overconfident and that they don't have the players that fit into their roles well. Hedu is 6'10" but wants to be 6'3" and Rashard Lewis should be more of a 4, but wants to stand around the perimeter launching 3's all game. The Sixers are young and talented, Louis Williams, Thad Young, but without Elton Brand to control Dwight Howard -- it should be Orlando's series.
My Pick: MAGIC IN 5
No. 4 Hawks vs. No. 5 Heat
-- The Hawks and Heat are the East's most sexy/fun teams. Atlanta is the Blazers of the East, boasting a young and talented core line-up along with crafty vets to fill in the spaces. I like the Heat with Beasley and of course Wade and Jermain O'Neal. But I still think that the Hawks have the edge. After taking the Celtics to 7 games last year in the first round, I think Atlanta makes it to round two this year.
My Pick: HAWKS IN 7
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
No. 1 Lakers vs. No. 8 Jazz
-- Down the stretch the Lakers were solid while the Jazz were not. Utah may not even win a game in this series after just one month ago they looked like the only team in the West who could have a chance against LA. If Utah does take this series, it will be proportionate a 16 seed beating a 1 seed in the NCAA tourney. I don't see that taking place. Kobe and Gasol are on a mission.
My Pick: LAKERS IN 5
No. 2 Nuggets vs. No. 7 Hornets
-- This could shape up to be one of the best first round series in the 2009 NBA playoffs. Both teams are stacked and have the potential to take it to the next level. And unlike in the East, the top 8 teams in the West are all on the same level. Don't put too much on the fact that Denver has the 2 and New Orleans has the 7, it could turn out to look like the Hornets should have been No. 2.
My Pick: DENVER IN 7
No. 3 Spurs vs. No. 6 Mavericks
-- I have a feeling that Dallas is going to take advantage of the opportunity of being the No. 6 seed. Dallas finished the season strong and has all of the tools to upset San Antonio. Without Manu I don't see SA making it out of the first round -- even though Tim Duncan and Tony Parker might think otherwise. I just like Dirk and Kidd in this one.
My Pick: DALLAS IN 6
No. 4 Blazers vs. No. 5 Rockets
-- The Rockets got screwed out of the No. 2 seed on the last night of the playoffs and therefore start their playoff journey as an underdog on the road. Regardless of the seeding, I think the Rockets will use veteran leadership from Yao and Artest to get past a young, up and coming Blazer squad. Oden v Ming could be sweet, as well as seeing Roy in his first playoff series. This should be a good one, the hardest series to predict.
My Pick: BLAZERS IN 7
I like the picks... Wake up calls in Gm 1 for Orlando and Boston. Dallas seems poised. Hawks are running like the old school Suns. Amazing is happening daily. Thanks for giving the Jazz a game.
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