1st Round Predictions

The 2008 NBA playoffs start on Saturday! Here's how I see the first round going down. I will put the rest of my predictions during the weekend. Enjoy!

Eastern Conference

1#Boston(66-16) Boston (4-0)
8#Atlanta(37-45)The only series that will be a sweep. Atlanta is just glad to make the playoffs. Boston is on a mission. While Atlanta is suiting up to be schooled. At least Atlanta can build on this for the future.

2#Detroit(59-23) Detroit (4-2)
7#Philadelphia(40-42) Philly is a young and scrappy team, who can give Detroit a legit series.
All Detroit needs to do is stay with the game plan. If so, Philly's inexperience will start to show. However, if Detroit starts to cruise Philly could throw the KO. It should be interesting

3#Orlando(52-30) Orlando (4-2)
6#Toronto(41-41) Toronto is a team who loves to run as does Orlando. This should be a high scoring series. Where little defense will be played, in the end Hedo Turkoglu's play will determine this series.

4#Cleveland(45-37) Washington(4-2)
5#Washington(43-39) Is Lebron overrated? Cleveland is not playing the stingy defense. That got them to the finals last year. Washington is playing their best ball on both ends. Which doesn't hold well for Lebron and Co. Lebron isn't overrated, but the rest of his team is.


Western Conference

1#Los Angeles(57-25) Los Angeles(4-1)
8#Denver(50-32) The Lakers are the most balanced team in the wild west. Melo and AI will be able to score enough to get one game. But, Denver's stubbornness not to play defense (except Camby, Najera, and Carter).Will give them a first round exit once again.

#2New Orleans(56-26) Dallas(4-2)
#7Dallas(51-31)New Orleans season is a feel good story. While Dallas has and had doubters. The Mavs are starting to play good ball. This series is about experience, and Dallas trumps New Orleans in that department. This series will be a good growing pain for the Hornets.

#3San Antonio(56-26) San Antonio(4-3)
#6Phoenix(55-27)This will be a dogfight for sure. This is a series about answering questions. Is the Spurs age catching up to them? Was the Shaq trade worth it? It should be a dozy, if Ginobili can have his way then Spurs will eliminate the Suns. Amare will be a factor too.

#4Utah(54-28) Utah(4-2)
#5Houston(55-27)Utah has the firepower, while Houston has the swagger. However, Houston is missing a 7"5 320 pound All- Star. Yao's injury decided this series along time ago. Houston has the tenacity to stay in the series. But, T-Mac can only do so much with role players. Utah presents to many problems for the Rockets.