Playoff Fever, Catch It!

NBA Playoff Prediction Run-Down

Varsity Conference

1) Los Angeles Lakers v.
8) Denver Nuggets

To begin with, the Lakers have had the Nuggets number all year long (sweeping the season series 3-0). Presently, the Nuggets have played solid ball, but the Lakers are entering the playoffs red hot. Inexperience may hurt the Lakers down the line (but they still have Kobe and Phil, always remember that), but as paranoid as I can get sometimes with my teams, I really cannot see the Lakers doing anything but cruising to the second round.

Lakers in Five Games

4) Utah Jazz v.
5) Houston Rockets

Reason must be kept at bay when trying to predict this series as so many confusing variables have been thrown in the mix: Utah is the best home team in the league...but they don't get home-court advantage, because although they have a lower seed, it was earned based on their division standings; in actuality, Houston has the better regular season record. But Houston has been the worst good team over the past few years; Tracy McGrady could not get past Utah last year with Yao in tow, but I don't remember Utah sucking this badly on the road. Still, I trust Utah to win at least one road game. Can Utah hold serve on their home court? I think they can.

Jazz in Seven Games

3) San Antonio Spurs v.
6) Phoenix Suns

This series became a lot harder to pick this past Sunday. It was then that the Phoenix anally raped the San Antonio Spurs on national television. Phoenix will look to avenge the perceived slight of last year's playoff exit against a Spurs team that simply does not look up to snuff (although they toyed with Utah last night to close out the regular season, showing that they are not dead yet). The deciding factor in this series: Will the acquisition of Shaq finally help the Suns slow Tim Duncan down? The answer will determine the winner. But given the fact that Phoenix is playing better basketball right now, they have a chip on their shoulder, and the Spurs look a little worn and tired, I'm going to say:

Suns in Six Games

But we are one Shaq injury away from:

Spurs in Six Games

2) New Orleans Hornets v.
7) Dallas Mavericks

New Orleans has been a great story this season, but for whatever reason, I just do not get the vibe that this team can make a lot of noise in the playoffs. I assumed that they would get past the first round, but coming in against a rejuvenated Dallas team (featuring Dirk Nowitzki returning to MVP form), I am not so sure. Right now, the Mavericks are playing with house money: No one expects anything from them, so they can play loose and confident. New Orleans had better not slip up in one of the first two home games, otherwise they will not be lucky enough to see a game seven.

Mavericks in Six

Junior Varsity Conference

1) Boston Celtics v.
8) Atlanta Hawks

When I first saw this seeding, I initially thought "Atlanta is going to win a game in Boston." Then I thought "you're a dumbass." Without sounding too cliched, Boston's big three will be too focused to let Atlanta find a pulse. The Hawks might win game three or four, but it would take a monster performance by all involved and I just do not see it happening.

Celtics in Four

4) Cleveland Cavaliers v.
5) Washington Wizards

Charles Barkley recently called the Wizards "the stupidest team in the NBA" for continually taunting LeBron and his Cavaliers. I applaud them. They took this team to the limit two years ago and this year's Cleveland squad is a lot more like that team than the smoke-and-mirrors group from last season. In fact, I argue that the Wizards will be better than they were in 2005-06, due to the emergence of Caron Butler and the fact that Gilbert Arenas will not be at 100%. No, you did not read that last part incorrectly, I just feel that with Arenas not fully healed, he will pick and choose his spots to take over, rather than being the one-man show as per usual when he is healthy. This Wizards team has overachieved all season long, but I do not look for that to stop against the Cavaliers. Besides, it just looks like karma caught up with Cleveland this season.

Wizards in Seven

3) Orlando Magic v.
6) Toronto Raptors

I really think Orlando will be a sleeper team in the East. I doubt they will dominate any series in which they are involved, due mainly to lapses in attention. In this series particularly, Chris Bosh will help the Raptors steal a couple of games, but look for Orlando to move on in convincing fashion.

Magic in Six

2) Detroit Pistons v.
7) Philadelphia 76ers

If you are affiliated with the 76ers in any way, shape, or form, you have got to feel shafted by the events that unfolded in last week's game against Cleveland. You had the game in hand against the NBA's poster child, but a retroactive foul resulted in go-ahead free throws for Cleveland, ultimately locking you into the seven spot, facing Detroit rather than Orlando. Hosings aside, this team looks like it has a bit of destiny in its corner...but destiny will only be good for a game or two against the Pistons. That is, barring the inevitable melt-down from Rasheed Wallace, but even that will probably wait for Boston. Or possibly Orlando.

Detroit in Six

Coming soon: Second Round Predictions!