NBA 2009 Playoffs First Round Predictions

Eastern Conference:

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (8) Detroit Pistons:

The Pistons once again make the playoffs, except this time there is absolutely no chance they're making it to the Conference finals. They have been playing horribly, they lost their point guard Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson, who has made minimal to no impact on the struggling club. Cleveland, on the other hand, has been playing dominant basketball throughout the entire season, and secondary/bench scoring has taken loads of pressure off Lebron James, who spends most of his fourth quarters these days warming the bench. There is no reason why the Cavs should even lose one game. Cleveland wins in 4.

(2) Boston Celtics vs (7) Chicago Bulls:

The one good news for the Bulls is that the Celtics have been struggling for the past couple of months. Kevin Garnett is rumored to be out for the rest of the playoffs. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce just aren't as explosive as they were last year, and their bench has diminished without James Posey. Chicago has the young talent and skill to take out Boston, but Boston has the experience to get out of any funk. And let's be honest, the Celtics have no defense and no offense without KG, their best two-way player. Chicago wins in 7.

(3) Orlando Magic vs (6) Philadelphia 76ers:

The 76ers are the dark horses of the Eastern Conference, and have the best chance of all the lower seeds to make it to the finals. That said, the chance still isn't very high. They've had a breakout year from all 5 of their starters, especially Dalembert. But they have 0, and I mean 0 support from their bench. Dalembert can't be expected to play all day against Dwight Howard, and that will ultimately lead to the 76er's downfall. Magic wins in 6.

(5) Miami Heat vs (4) Atlanta Hawks:

This is the monster match-up of the East. Dwayne Wade has single-handedly put his team into the 5th seed, and in my mind is the top candidate for MVP this season. The big adjustment the coaching staff of Miami has made was that the game now revolves around everything Wade does, both defensively and offensively. This opens up a lot more opportunities for the young skill guys like Moon and Beasley. The big key for an upset would be Wade's ability to knock down the 3, the biggest improvement in his game since winning the championship in 2006. The Hawks are going to double and maybe even triple team him all day to take away his ability to drive the lane, so if he can knock down the outside jumpers, he can easily take over the series. But the Hawks have always been a strong home playoff team, and that will ultimately boost their more offensively balanced team over the hump. Atlanta wins in 7.


Western Conference:

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (8) Utah Jazz:

The Jazz are the deadliest 8th seed in recent memory of the NBA playoffs, entering the postseason with a 48-34. But the Lakers have the most depth in their bench, and have all their starters well rested as they clinched the conference about a month ago. Utah is the most dominant home team in the NBA, so look for the Lakers to take full advantage of playing in LA in order to steal an away game via momentum. And the Jazz have absolutely no answer for Bynum at center. Los Angeles wins in 5.

(2) Denver Nuggest vs (7) New Orlean Hornets:

The Nuggets have been playing absolutely ridiculous basketball since the New Year's, which propelled the once struggling team into second place in the toughest conference in the NBA. Everyone from the 2008 Olympic Team has elevated their play from the experience, and Carmelo Anthony is no exception. His ability to score, which has disappeared in past playoffs, will be needed to take on a tough Hornets team, who are inexplicibly the 7th seed. If the Hornets want to upset, they need to take full advantage of their home games and Tyson Chandler needs to play like he's healthy again. Without Chandler, Chris Paul's abilities to create offensively become limited, and the Hornets then lose virtually their entire defense. The key match-up will be Chandler/West against Nene Hilario. X-factor: James Posey. He didn't have too big of a regular season, but he is never signed by a team for his regular season play. New Orleans wins in 7.

(3) San Antonio Spurs vs (6) Dallas Mavericks:

The Mavericks have rarely lost since February, and it has all centered around the play of Dirk Nowitzki. However, Nowitzki has always been a solid performer in the regular season; it is his chokes in the playoffs that have drawn huge criticism from the sports media. And is chance to redeem himself will be against one of the coolest playoff performers in Tim Duncan. And you have to like the Tony Parker match-up against Jason Kidd. Both these teams are built almost identically from top to bottom, but the Spurs have the edge in terms of skill in every positional match-up. The biggest issue will be the loss of Manu Ginobli. If the Mavericks can exploit the loss of Ginobli and shut down the Spurs defensively, they can pull off the upset. San Antonio wins in 6.

(4) Portland Trailblazers vs (5) Houston Rockets:

For some reason, the Rockets have been playing better basketball since the loss of Tracy McGrady. Maybe they're used to playing without him this time of the year, and they actually have Ron Artest to cover his hole. But you have to question the trade of Rafer Alston to Orlando, which has seriously crippled the club's offensive depth. Yao Ming should easily dominate Aldridge and Pryzbilla, who have a bad history against bigger centermen. But the match-up will be Brandon Roy against Ron Artest. And don't forget Artest has a bad discipline history as well. Ultimately, Rudy Fernandez's ability to provide energy and points off the bench will have the Rockets leaving the playoffs early and the fans wanting big changes in the off-season. Portland wins in 6.