Playoff Predictions: Round 1

I initially considered writing this blog after the All Star Game but considering the volatile nature of the NBA's season I figured it would be better to make predictions once the playoff picture had finally been painted. In retrospect it might have been the smartest thing I've done so far in 2008. Also, considering the afore-mentioned volatile nature of the NBA (read, Western Conference) I'm only going to make predictions about the first round cos' honestly anything can (and probably will) happen. So without further ado:

Eastern Conference:

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks
As Bill Simmons would say (and probably has said), "If you think the Celtics aren't going to sweep the Hawks then you're crazy". One of the games might be close. Possibly even overtime.
BOS def. ATL (4-0)

(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (7)Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers are entering the playoffs on a 4-game losing streak. They're a scrappy enough team that the law of averages might not be completely circumvented in order for them to be swept. Also with all the Pistons' starters having been benched for the last week or so there's bound to be some rust. Philly might get demolished but they'll take one with them. Their time will come eventually.
DET def. PHI (4-1)

(3)Orlando Magic vs. (6)Toronto Raptors
I have a hard time caring about this matchup but I'll try anyway. The Magic have 3 "stars" of which, one has more than twice as many turnovers as assists and one is a glorified spot-up shooter. Also, they have zero depth. Not very confidence-inspiring is it? Fortunately, they're playing in the East and managed 50 wins which gives them the Raptors in the first round. They also have the European Larry Bird, formerly known as Hidayet Turkoglu.
ORL def. TOR (4-2)

(4)Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5)Washington Wizards
This seems to be the only intriguing series in the entire East's first round. Can the Cleveland Lebron...er...I mean Cavaliers compete with the Wiz and their trifecta of injury-ridden stars? I definitely think so. Everyone's been making a big deal about Lebron's bad back (my diagnosis; chronic Team Carrying-itis) but I think he's also been coasting a little bit in the home stretch. Can you blame him? Last season he paced himself over the first half of the season but because of all the flak he got for it I think he might've gone a little overboard with the playing hard all the time ethic and wore himself out this season. Also, there's the small matter of his team being pretty terrible. However, if he beat the Pistons single-handedly last year then with a little rest I'm pretty sure he can do the same to the Wiz this year. They're good but they're no Pistons. Plus, with Arenas playing on one leg and shooting far more than he should, they might only need 6 games to do it in. Maybe.
CLE def. WAS (4-2)

Western Conference:

(1)Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8)Denver Nuggets
Alright, seriously, in the West there's no telling what might happen. Everyone (read, ESPN pundits) says that the Lakers will demolish the Nuggets. I disagree. While I think the Lakers will win I don't think it will be a complete forfeit. The Nuggets match up really well with the Bynum-less Lakers and if they suddenly start giving a crap about perimeter defense and not letting Derek Fisher hit 3's and Odom/Walton/Gasol get layups whenever he/they feel(s) like it, the Nuggets might even have a chance of winning the series. Seriously, I'm totally not joking. It's possible. However as it stands the Lakers are still the (overwhelming) favourites and rightly so.
LAL def. DEN (4-2)

(2)New Orleand Hornets vs. (7)Dallas Mavericks
3 reasons why I think the Mavs will beat the Hornets:
1). The Hornets are a young and completely playoff-untested team. They're going to find that in the slower grinding playoff game it's a little bit more difficult to lob 3 un-contested alley-oops per game.
2). As much as I think Avery Johnson is an overrated coach, much of my ire is directed at the way he has the Mavs play on offense. The Mavericks are a still a good defensive team and I don't think it will take Avery that long to figure out how to neutralize Chris Paul the way Jerry Sloan and the Jazz have.
3). Dirk Nowitzki is playing like a monster. Right now I think his intensity is only rivalled by Garnett's.
DAL def. NOH (4-2)

(3)San Antonio Spurs vs. (6)Phoenix Suns
Deja vu. Could this be the year that the Suns get past the Spurs. I think it is, unless the league decides to retro-actively call every single offensive foul committed by Shaq during his tenure with the Lakers and Heat, effectively fouling him out of the playoffs before it even starts.
PHX def. SAS (4-3)

(4)Utah Jazz vs. (5)Houston Rockets
In light of my recently learning that the Sultan of Brunei does not pay taxes I am now forced to concede that there are only 2 constants in life. Death and Tracy McGrady not getting to the second round. This is going to be an ugly series, but despite their apparent inability to play competitive basketball in any city other than Salt Lake, I think the Jazz will still win fairly comfortably. The great thing about the Rockets is how everyone is a role-player and everyone plays hard, but the exact same thing could be said about the Jazz too, except that they have better players at every position except Shooting Guard.
UTA def. HOU (4-1)