WEST --
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (5) Houston Rockets
There are only a couple of ways that Houston can win this series. First, Kobe needs to be shut down by Ron Artest. Second, Yao Ming needs to outplay Gasol. Third, oh who am I kidding, LA wins big. It's funny to think that without T-Mac the Rockets made it out of the first round. Imagine if they had McGrady laughing it up at the press conference? With T-Mac Houston maybe has a chance. But without Mutombo, nor McGrady, the Rockets have no answer to Odom, Bynum, Walton or Ariza. There is a chance that the Rockets get two games, but I'll say Lakers in 5.
Lakers 4, Rockets 1
(2) Denver Nuggets vs (6) Dallas Mavericks
In what should be one of the best second round match-ups, Denver faces Dallas. It really isn't your usual Nugs/Mavs no defense match-up. This time around we have a both teams looking to make that push towards the Finals. Dirk and Kidd aim to put Dallas back into the Finals, while Billups will try to captain yet another ship to the promise land. After all is said and done I have to give the edge to Denver for their interior presence. I am shocking myself by saying this, but Nene and Chris Andersen are legit, moreso than Eric Dampier. This series will probably go 6 or 7 games because both teams are offensively stacked. Denver will rely on JR Smith and Carmelo Anthony to put up buckets while Dallas looks to Dirk, Jason Terry and Josh Howard. Either way the winner gets ousted next round by Kobe and Co.
Denver 4, Dallas 2
EAST --
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (4) Atlanta Hawks or (5) Miami Heat
The NBA community is anticipating a Dwyane Wade vs LeBron James match-up in round 2. James has had over a week to rest, while Wade has given nearly everything he has to his first round battle with the Hawks. Either way these two teams are a joke and the Cavs will sweep
Cavs in 4 no matter what.
(2) Boston Celtics vs (3) Orlando Magic
This could be interesting. The Magic really do have a chance against a KG-less Celtics squad, even though Boston was taken to the limit against Chicago in round one. I have to believe that Boston is on a mission to get far enough along where Garnett is healthy enough to return -- probably game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. I still have this feeling in the back of my head that Boston is going to win the NBA title. If that's the case, they have to make it past Orlando who has been light's out all season. I see Boston's defense outlasting Orlando's and the "live or die" by the three attitude haunts the Magic.
Boston 4, Orlando 2
Like all the predictions, I think Orlando will win that series though. Easy to say after a game 1 like that, but I had money on Orlando before the tip. Can't wait for a Kobe v LeBron battle!
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