NBA Playoff Preview

The East

(1) Cleveland vs. (8) Detroit
This has all the makings of a four game sweep for the Cavs. LeBron and Co., want to come out and set the tone for their potential championship run. Coming out and dominating a struggling Pistons teams would be just the message they want to send.

For the Pistons, well, they don’t have much hope in this series. This team has limped into the playoffs, with a losing record (first time since 2001). Gone is their regular season dominance. Gone is the playoff swagger they’ve had in the past. Gone is the clutch play of Chauncey Billups. If Pistons pull out a game in this series, it’ll be game four with their backs against the wall. But I doubt it.
Prediction: Cavs in 4

(2) Boston vs. (7) Chicago
This first round match-up has all the Hollywood drama surrounding it. The up-and-coming Bulls, led by rookie point guard and rookie Head Coach, take on last years champions, who have, possibly, lost their best player for the playoffs and their GM just suffered a heart attack.

Now I’m not sure what happens in a playoff series when you have two teams can claim the “Us against the World” tag, but it should make for a theatrical first round match-up. I’m sticking with the champs on this one as Pierce and Allen carry the Celtics and Rondo locks up Rose.
Prediction: Celtics in 6

(3) Orlando vs. (6) Philadelphia
On paper this match-up looks way more intriguing than it should actually play out. Orlando is a jump shooting team, who, when hot, can outscore anyone, plus they have one of the leagues best big men in Dwight Howard clogging up the middle. The 76ers are an athletic team who can get up the floor with Thaddeus Young, Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala.

Here’s, what should be, the deciding factor of the series the Magic are an excellent defensive team and very good at getting back on defense and limiting their opponents transition points, which what the 76ers need in order to get them going.
Prediction: Magic in 5

(4) Atlanta vs. (5) Miami
This match-up will be the most exciting series for The Sports Pad. I love Dwyane Wade, he is one of the five most exciting players to watch either in person or on TV. Also, the Hawks were one of the best sub-plots of last years playoffs. Joe Johnson is one of the leagues most underrated players and he has the ability to carry his team through to the second round.
The X-factor for the Heat will be how the two rookies handle the playoff pressure. Beasley needs to continue his to match the defensive intensity needed to play playoff basketball, while contributing the necessary second scoring option to help Wade. The other rookie Mario Chalmers, is well versed at playing playoff style basketball from his years at Kansas. His game has always risen when it mattered most, and I suspect it will again.
Prediction: Heat in 6

The West

(1) LA Lakers vs. (8) Utah
Like the Eastern Conference’s 1 vs. 8 match-up, this should series should be over fairly quick. The Jazz have limped into the playoffs, as Jerry Sloan has been frustrated with his teams play. However the Lakers have had life pumped back into their team as Andrew Bynum returned injury, playing well averaging 17 ppg and 5.5 reb since his return.

Kobe and the Lakers win this series easily; only dropping one game to Utah, in Utah.
Prediction: Lakers in 5

(2) Denver vs. (7) New Orleans
This will be a classic clash of styles, the Nuggets look to run at every opportunity they can and get open transition 3s. While the Hornets play a slow methodical pace, focusing on getting pick ‘n’ roll opportunities for Chris Paul. So the obvious key for either team is imposing their style on the flow of the game, which will be controlled the point guards.

The Hornets, Paul in particular, will need to deny and slow up the outlet passes if they will ever have a shot of slowing down the Nuggets. The Hornets just can’t to cover all of the Nuggets wing players.

Denver wins all their home games and drop two in New Orleans.
Prediction: Nuggets in 6

(3) San Antonio vs. (6) Dallas
This series could have the most “upset” potential based on the seedings. San Antonio is just too banged up, to go to battle with a team in a seven game series. Ginobili’s out for the playoffs. Duncan’s knee is wonky. The starting trio of Roger Mason, Matt Bonner and Michael Finley, aren’t scaring anyone. That leaves Mr. Longoria, Tony Parker to shoulder the load.

Meanwhile, Dallas have turned around their early season lows and started to play their best ball coming down the seasons stretch. They can get buckets whenever they want and are at their best when they’re in transition. Defensively, it’ll be all about shutting down Parker (who averages 31 ppg against the Mavs), which they can do by running Barea or Terry or even Wright on occasion.
Prediction: Mavs in 7

(4) Portland vs. (5) Houston
The young Trailblazers have been one of the leagues most enjoyable teams. GM Kevin Pritchard has turned this team from Jailblazers back to Rip City. Brandon Roy leads this team and their wholesome image to the playoffs for the first time since 2003. This team is loaded with depth, but absolutely zero playoff experience. It’ll be interesting to see if they’ll be able to handle the pressure of playoff basketball.

Is it me or do the Rockets just play better without Tracy McGrady? The T-Macless Rockets will need to run the offense through Yao and let him kickout to the jump shooters. Defensively, the Rockets can throw both Battier and Artest at Roy to shut down the Blazers main offensive threat.

This series will be closely followed by the Lakers, who have lost their last seven games at Portland.
Prediction: Houston in 6