NBA Playoffs: First Round Preview and Predictions

Okay, I quick have to get these predictions in before the games actually start.

Boston v. Atlanta. It's cute that Atlanta gets to play in the playoffs despite their terrible team and the fact that they had an under .500 record. Boston probably doesn't think its that cute because they are probably looking at them with a killer instinct. Not one game will be close. 4-0 Boston.

Detroit v. Philly. A familiar first round match with new faces. Last time we played Philly in the playoffs they had Iverson and Webber leading the team. Philly has played really well lately. The Pistons also got a lot of rest for their starters and valuable experience for the bench guys. I think both of those things will heavily favor the Pistons. But inevitably Rasheed will take one game off and it will cost them one game. 4-1 Pistons.


Orlando v. Toronto. Well the Pistons were able to beat Toronto with their backups, and Toronto has made a steady slide downward. But Chris Bosh is pretty darn good. Too bad nobody else on that team is very good. Dwight and Turkolu will score at will on Toronto. 4-2 Orlando.


Washington v. Cleveland. Washington finally has Agent Zero back and could cause some problems for the Cleveland Lebrons. But i dont think we will have a very epic series between these two teams like we have in the past. Bron will cruise. 4-1 Cleveland

LA Lakers v. Denver. No defense vs. the best player in the game. Easy pick. Denver doesn't have enough Golden State in them to cause too many problems for LA. 4-1 LA

Utah v. Houston. Shane Battier is going to win defensive player of the year, but the problem is you cant put him on Boozer or Williams. I like Utah here and the McGrady playoff curse will continue. 4-2 Utah

San Antonio v. Phoenix. Might be my favorite series of the playoffs. This series will come down to the health of Manu Ginobli. I really like Amare to dominate here, especially after that B.S. suspension and Shaq setting him up in the middle. 4-3 Suns

NO Hornets v. Dallas. Dallas is not a good team since the Kidd Trade. They might make it interesting considering NO has no playoff experience. However, Kidd is not the best defender and Chris Paul deserves to be the MVP, and I think he will show why with at a double-double every game. 4-2 NO