NBA Playoffs First Round

Hey there guys,
I have never been this excited about NBA before and this looks to be like a great series. Because of how busy I am this is going to be set up like my Stanley Cup Playoffs predictions with a small preview and my pick. Hope you guys enjoy.

Round 1

Eastern Conference

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers 61-21 vs. (8) Chicago Bulls 41-41

LeBron James wants a championship and while I like Chicago's lineup with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah I don't think that they will have any answer whatsoever for James. Shaq can probably still sit this one out and heal that achilles thumb some more if he wants to.

My Pick: Cleveland in 5

(2) Orlando Magic 59-23 vs. Charlotte Bobcats 44-38

I think this series may prove more challenging for the Magic than one might think, purely because the Bobcats play like a different team when they are at home and I think they will take at least one, maybe two in Charlotte before Dwight Howard and the Magic pull away.

My Pick: Orlando in 6

(3) Atlanta Hawks 53-29 vs. Milwaukee Bucks 46-36

I would have easily picked the Bucks had Andrew Bogut not injured his elbow trying a few weeks ago. Brandon Jennings and John Salmons will help make this interesting but Joe Johnson and Josh Smith are going to be the difference as the Hawks advance.

My Pick: Atlanta in 6

(4) Boston Celtics 50-32 vs. (5) Miami Heat 47-35

I think this is a very intriguing match up as the Heat are red hot and the Celtics are, well... Old. There is obvious aging with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Rasheed Wallace, and as much as I hate to say it, Kevin Garnett. Still, after Dwyane Wade, the rest of the Heat, Jermaine O'Neal and Michael Beasley, are too inconsistent for me to feel right picking the Heat.

My Pick: Boston in 6

Western Conference

(1) Los Angeles Lakers 57-25 vs. (8) Oklahoma City Thunder 50-32

Phil Jackson may have pissed off Kevin Durant, and while controlled Anger is the one of the best things a player/team can have in the playoffs but I don't know if the Thunder are yet ready to compete, especially with the Lakers.

My Pick: Los Angeles in 6

(2) Dallas Mavericks 55-27 vs. (7) San Antonio Spurs 50-32

This is the most interesting series in the entire first round as the Spurs are definitely legitimate Title Contenders, but the Dallas Mavericks are a very good team this year and I'll be honest I think that Dirk Nowitzki wants a title this season just as bad as LeBron James and now with Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood he just may have a shot.

My Pick: Dallas in 7

(3) Phoenix Suns 54-28 vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers 50-32

If Brandon Roy were playing I would have picked the Trail Blazers in 6. If Greg Oden were still playing I think Portland would be a serious title contender. Now it's up to LaMarcus Aldridge and Marcus Camby to keep up with Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. I like the Suns.

My Pick: Phoenix in 7

(4) Denver Nuggets 53-29 vs. (5) Utah Jazz 53-29

This is the 2nd best series. Denver is a great team with Nene, Carmelo Anthony, and Billups, and Anderson and Smith are solid contributors and fan favorites. But they don't have their head coach. This is nothing against Adrian Dantley but Geogre Karl is their Head Coach. And Denver doesn't have the one thing that can stop the Jazz. Dominating inside presence. Without Karl I just don't see the Nuggets pulling this one off.

My Pick: Utah in 7

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Thank you for Reading

Batteman