NBA Playoffs Preview

Less than half the teams in the NBA have been eliminated, but the arrival of the playoffs brings mouth-watering matchups right from the first round this year. That’s something that hasn’t been said around the league in quite awhile, which is a testament to how much talent is truly spread out through the league. The Denver Nuggets, for instance, have the league’s third and fourth leading scorers in Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, to go along with the NBA’s second best rounder in Marcus Camby, yet are dealt the Lakers, the top team in the West, in the first round. That’s only one of the star studded matchups on the slate. Suns/Spurs could easily be a Western Conference Finals series, but instead they duel in their first round where one team will be headed toward an awful disappointment. Here’s a look at what else is in store for Round 1.


Eastern Conference

#1 Boston over #8 Atlanta, 4 games
The Celtics have been waiting for this moment for months it seems, seemingly clinching their playoff berth two months ago it seems like. Even with having the luxury of coasting their way into the playoffs, don’t expect Doc Rivers’ team to be too bent out of shape as they get this series going. The Hawks must be commended for making the playoffs. They do have some nice pieces that are only beginning to gel. However, next year is the year they make a jump, but for now, the Celtics are too strong and will be barrel over them with the broom and sweep them aside.

#2 Detroit over #7 Philadelphia, 7 games
This is an intriguing series to say the least. For a two-month period, no one could stop the 76ers as they made a push from near the bottom of the conference to being in contention for the fifth spot until the very end of the season. The Pistons have looked more and more complacent with each passing year, culminating with last year’s breakdown against the LeBrons in the second round of the playoffs. They just feel like they can turn a switch on, and everything will be fine. That doesn't work anymore. Philly will look to run on every occasion and should have some success against Detroit, but the Pistons wealth of playoff experience will push them on by a slim margin.

#3 Orlando over Toronto, 6 games
This Magic team is built for the postseason, with a dominating big man down low, and a great set of shooters to complement him on the perimeter. The Raptors are built in a similar fashion, with many 3-point threats supporting Chris Bosh. The difference between these two teams is that Orlando was consistent in their support or Dwight Howard, winning 52 games, being just as tough on the road as they were at home. Toronto hasn’t been all that good on the road, and it will cost them. This will still be an ultra competitive series between Howard and Bosh, two big men that will represent the East in All-Star Games for the next decade.

#5 Washington over #4 Cleveland, 6 games
This is easily the most captivating series in the East, not just because it’s a 4 vs. 5, but because of its history. This will be third straight year these two teams will meet in the playoffs. The first was a classic that was decided when Gilbert Arenas’ two misses at the free throw line cost his team a chance to force Game 7. Last year, Cleveland steamrolled past Washington, who was missing Arenas and Caron Butler, making it unfair for them to contend with LeBron. The Wizards have been without those two for long stretches this season as well, but are finally at full strength and playing their best ball of the season. The same can’t be said for the Cavs, and I think Washington advances.


Western Conference

#1 Los Angeles over #8 Denver, 5 games
As talented as the Nuggets are, there has never been a turning point that has made them become elite. They are good at getting here, but having success in the postseason is a different story. The Lakers were rejuvenated when they traded for Pau Gasol, then lagged a bit when he went down. Now that he’s back, the team is returning to form and is reaffirming themselves as one of the favorites in the stacked Western Conference. It will take the best two weeks of defense Denver has ever played in the AI/’Melo Era to advance in the series, and it just doesn’t look promising against one the deeper teams around.

#2 New Orleans over #6 Dallas, 6 games
After losing their first 10 games against .500 or better teams with Jason Kidd, Dallas went 3-1 against that group in the final month of the season. The Mavericks have potential, with Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard forming a great 1-2 punch. Kidd will do his thing distributing the ball. The Mavs’ key player in this series will be Jason Terry, who’s been hit or miss all season. I’m taking the Hornets because nothing seems to rattle Chris Paul, and I don’t think the playoffs will either. I expect him to outperform Kidd in every aspect, and lift New Orleans’ own X-factor, Tyson Chandler, to a higher level than Terry’s.

#6 Phoenix over #3 San Antonio, 7 games
All four series in the West are filled with appealing storylines, but no teams going at each other in the first round know and hate each other like these two. Phoenix has had their eyes on the Spurs since Bruce Bowen got under their skin in last year’s playoffs. The Suns will arrive with a chip on their shoulder; they took 3 of 4 from the Spurs in the regular season, and with Shaq in the mix, they can do some damage. Bowen’s cheap on Amare in their last meeting a little over a week ago will only add to the fire inside the Suns’ belly. It’s an even year, so don’t expect the Spurs to win the title.

#4 Utah over #5 Houston, 7 games
All that needs to be said about the strength of the Western Conference is that the Rockets had a 22-game winning streak and are still stuck in the fifth spot. That’s absolutely incredible, even if Houston was tied for the fourth best record in the conference. The Rockets will have home court advantage in this one, but it didn’t help them when they lost to the Jazz on their home floor in Game 7 last year. Without Yao Ming it’s hard to have a ton of confidence in Houston because we’ve seen how Tracy McGrady handles pressure. The Jazz will steal another playoff series from T-Mac in heartbreaking fashion.