First-round playoff predictions

With the playoffs just around the corner, I figure that I would give my first round predictions. Let’s start with the Western Conference.

West
Dallas (1) vs Golden State (8): Despite Golden State sweeping the season series I don’t expect this to turn into an upset. After a 12-year post-season drought for the Warriors I expect them to come out with plenty of energy. Plus after winning all of their games against the Mavs this season, the Warriors know that they can beat them. In a seven game series though, Dallas is too deep and too good; Dallas in six.

Phoenix (2) vs Los Angeles Lakers (7): Everybody is talking about last year’s long series with Kobe Bryant giving Phoenix a run for their money (notice how I said Kobe Bryant, not the Lakers). With plenty of hard fouls and suspensions to go around in last year’s first round (remember that hard foul when Raja Bell about ripped Kobe’s head off or hearing Papa Walton ripping Luke Walton for playing dirty while Papa was commentating on the game?) people are wondering if we can expect to see another bloodbath or if Phoenix will make short work of L.A. this time around. I’d go with the latter; Phoenix in five.

San Antonio (3) vs Denver (6): Denver is ending their season hot, which might spell trouble for San Antonio. But this is the post season, and I just don’t see the young Nuggets led by A.I. giving the tried and true Spurs that much of a problem; San Antonio in five.

Utah (4) vs Houston (5): This match-up I expect to be a battle. With Utah’s strong starters matching up against Houston’s two superstars, this series will be taken to the limit (or perhaps “go the distance”, to use another completely lame sports cliché). I foresee McGrady breaking his curse this year; Houston in seven.

East
Detroit (1) vs Orlando (8): Detroit better watch out, Jameer Nelson said that he knows that the Magic can beat the Pistons. Uh huh, I’ll be nice and give Orlando a game; Detroit in five.

Cleveland (2) vs Washington (7): This match-up, without Hibachi? Cleveland in four.

Toronto (3) vs New Jersey (6): The tri-star attack by the Nets will give Toronto some problems but NJ is nowhere near as cohesive as Toronto. I’d say Toronto in six.

Miami (4) vs Chicago (5): By some bizarre twist of David Stern’s playoff seeding fate, the Bulls dropped from the second seed to the fifth overnight. That gives them the Miami in the first round, like last season. This time around, the Bulls have a much better shot. Chicago almost gave Miami a scare last season and the two teams meet again with basically the same roster. Except the Bulls young players are much better than last year and Ben Wallace knows how to play Shaq as well as anybody. Not to mention that a hobbled Dwayne Wade and an old Shaq with questionable stamina after playing hard to get Miami in the playoffs might cause a Miami breakdown. I’d say the defending champs are out in the first round; Chicago in seven.