NBA Playoffs Round 1

Its playoff time in the NBA and I could not be more excited. The Western Conference has had one of the most exciting races in history and the eastern conference is much deeper than people give it credit for. The Atlanta Hawks made the playoffs despite having a sub .500 record, and the Golden State Warriors missed the playoffs despite having a record above .500. Let's take a quick look at the match ups in the first round...

Eastern Conference
Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks are an exciting team with youth and enthusiasm. They traded for Mike Bibby just before the trade deadline in hopes that he would be the missing piece to put them in the playoffs. He did just that, and the Hawks are an exciting, explosive team. Unfortunately for them their reward for getting into the playoffs is facing arguably the NBA's best team in the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are hungry for a title and are lead by my defensive player of the year Kevin Garnett. Boston is also very deep, outside of the top three (Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen) especially after adding clutch performer Sam Cassel. I just don't see how Atlanta can win this series, they would be lucky to win a game. Celtics win 4-1

Detroit Pistons vs Philadelphia 76ers: Detroit has had the same core of players for seven years. They know each others tendencies and are the definition of team basketball. They are always right in the thick of things when you talk basketball contenders year after year. They are taking on the 76ers who surprised everyone in making it this far. Many picked them to finish dead last in the eastern conference, and they have done a great job getting things turned around. Point Guard Andre Miller has been the catalyst for this team, and Andre Iguodala has proven to be the new star in Philadelphia. Although I would not be surprised for Philly to steal a game or two, I see the Pistons winning this series in 6 games.

Orlando Magic vs Toronto Raptors: With the addition of Rashard Lewis and new head coach Stan Van Gundy, the Magic are emerging as a power in the Eastern Conference. Dwight Howard is the best big man in the NBA, and there is no one that can stop him. Not even Toronto's star Chris Bosh. Bosh is a great player, no doubt. However he just is not husky enough to be able to do anything against Howard. Van Gundy has got the Magic playing great defense, and that will be key in the playoffs. The Magic will win this series in 5 games.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Washington Wizards: The Wizards have been bashing Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers leading up to this series and that is not in the Wizards' best interest. The last thing anyone should do is make King James upset, as he has a tendency to be untouchable when he gets that kind of motivation. The Cav's traded for Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West, and others with the idea to put them back in the NBA Finals. I don't think they will get quite that far, but it will be good enough to get them past Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and the Wizards in 5 games.

Western Conference
LA Lakers vs Denver Nuggets: After an off season that seemingly had Kobe Bryant headed out of Los Angeles, the Lakers are on their way back to the top of the basketball world. As Andrew Bynum started to get his act together, so did the Lakers. Then, they stole Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies and the rest is history. Although Bynum is hurt, Gasol more than makes up for his absence. Even though the Nuggets are in the playoffs they have not lived up to expectations this year. Denver can score with anyone in the NBA, but that is not how to win games in the playoffs. Unless Allen Iverson, Carmello Anthony, and company miraculously start stopping people, they have no shot in this series. I do however believe that they will steal a game or two by scoring 120 points or more. The Lakers win this one in 6 games.

New Orleans Hornets vs Dallas Mavericks: MVP candidate Chris Paul and the Hornets have been the surprise of the season. No one expected them to be in this position, and they have continued to disprove doubters all season long. The Dallas Maverick's made a blockbuster move in trading for Jason Kidd, believing he is the missing piece in their championship puzzle. The problem with that is, Kidd is not the defensive stopper he once was and he cannot keep up with Chris Paul. Another issue with Dallas is despite Dirk Nowitski's greatness, when it has come down to crunch time he does not have the confidence in himself to get it done (2006 NBA Finals). If Dallas is going to win this series, it is going to be on the shoulders of Josh Howard. Dallas will have to go back to the drawing board after this season, I like New Orleans to squeak out of this series in 7 games.

Phoenix Suns vs San Antonio Spurs: This is the series everyone wants to watch. After a controversial ending last year to this series, the Suns are looking for revenge. This time the Suns are diesel powered, and anything less then a championship would be a failure. If the Suns don't get that title, the window of opportunity for them to win one has effectively closed. The Spurs may not be the most exciting team but they flat out get it done. They play great defense, they are unselfish, and by the way they have Tim Duncan. The Suns were hoping to counteract Duncan with Shaq but, Shaq is not Shaq anymore. Pat Riley will be smiling at the end of this series, when San Antonio wins in 6 games.

Houston Rockets vs Utah Jazz: Houston has impressed a lot of people with the way they played during the regular season. Yao Ming went down, and the Rockets went on a 22 game win streak. However, this is not the regular season. This is where Yao will certainly be missed. His presence inside was not enough to defeat the Utah Jazz last year, and without him the results will be the same. Despite Tracy McGrady's all star status, he will not be able to defeat Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and a healthy Utah team by himself. The Jazz will win this series in 6 games.