NBA Playoff Predictions: First Round

The playoffs are coming…the playoffs are coming! Yes the NBA begins what seems to be an 8 month playoff process to determine the NBA Champion this weekend and it’s time to make some picks on the site to see who might come out of the first round and continue on with the marathon. My main interest will be with the Cavs so we’ll start there:

The East:

Cavaliers vs Wizards – The most competitive Eastern Conference first round series will be fun to watch. Not only for the seemingly even toss-up between the two teams, but for the debut of LeBron James in the playoffs. How will this prodigal superstar fair in his first playoff series? No one really knows. The main factor in this series for the Cavs will be whether they can stop the 3 headed attack of Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, and Gilbert Arenas. The Cavs have continued to struggle with shutting down big scorers in the NBA, and trying to stop 3 of them may prove to be too much over a 7 game series. The bright side for the Cavs is this: they are coming through in tight games and LeBron James is developing as a clutch player. Flip Murray is also a clutch player right now, so he can bail out LeBron down the stretch if he needs to.
Winner: Wizards in 7.

Pistons vs Bucks – The Bucks made some nice moves this year that had many thinking they would make a nice playoff push. They made the playoffs but their record wasn’t as good as many thought, and they have the enjoyable task of trying to beat the best team in the NBA this season in the Pistons. I think Michael Redd and company will steal a game in the series, but I don’t expect it to be much more than that.
Winner: Pistons in 5.

Heat vs Bulls – Scott Skiles’ Bulls have made a nice run to position themselves as the #7 seed in the playoffs. Their pick and roll and perimeter offense could cause some problems for the soft defense of the Heat, however Dwayne Wade and Shaq are way too much to handle for the young Bulls. Pat Riley and company are going to advance here.
Winner: Heat in 6.

Nets vs Pacers – The Pacers are pretty healthy right now and Jermaine O’Neal has a chip on his shoulder. He’ll be a force to reckon with against the Nets, but the combo of Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson, will find a way to carve up the strong Indiana defense. I think this will be a fun series to watch and this one will go 7 games.
Winner: Nets in 7.

The West:

Spurs vs Kings – Ron Artest gets his first taste of the playoffs in the West as he tries to shut down the Spurs offense. The Kings made a nice push to get into the post-season this year, but the Spurs are just too strong for them right now. Tim Duncan will own, and Bruce Bowen will counter the Artest defensive presence for the Kings. I don’t see this one lasting too long.
Winner: Spurs in 5.

Suns vs Lakers – Kobe Bryant will try to score a shit load of points to help the Lakers rise above Steve Nash and company. Unfortunately, the Suns have a much more complete team than the Lakers, even without Amare Stoudamire. Phil Jackson and Bryant will steal a few but the Suns will ultimately rise above here.
Winner: Suns in 6.

Nuggets vs Clippers – The rise of the Clippers was commendable this year as they finally returned to the playoffs after a MAJOR drought. This first series for them will be a tough one though. Carmelo Anthony will come up in the clutch, and his supporting cast will rise to the occasion as the Nuggets will move on again in the playoffs.
Winner: Nuggets in 7.

Grizzlies vs Mavericks – The Grizz wound up gaining the ‘coveted’ 5 seed and will face the Mavs to start things off in the playoffs. I think Mike Fratello and the Grizz will make this interesting, but the Mavericks are just way too strong to bow out this early. Dirk Nowitzki and company will pull away in the end during a surprisingly competitive series.
Winner: Mavericks in 6.