The first round of the NBA postseason begins on Saturday afternoon. Before giving a full preview of each playoff series, I figured I would give some predictions of how I think the entire postseason will play out. I'm hoping my NBA Playoffs bracket will be a bit more respectable than my NCAA Tournament failure. Here's my 2010 NBA playoff predictions:
...............................................................................
First Round -
WEST:
(1) LAKERS defeat (8) THUNDER in 7 games - The Thunder will hold serve on their home court and give the Lake show a run, but they won't be able to win a game in Staples.
(2) MAVERICKS defeat (7) SPURS in 6 games - The Spurs are hot, and these 2 Texas teams can win on the other team's home floor. But Dallas is too loaded and they mesh together way better than the Spurs have all season.
(3) SUNS defeat (6) BLAZERS in 4 games - I have the Suns in a sweep. No Brandon Roy means no chance for Portland. They might steal a game at home, but I don't see them winning a game.
(4) NUGGETS defeat (5) JAZZ in 6 games - Home court is huge in this series. If Utah was the 4-seed, I'd have them advancing. But Denver is healthy and will get it done at home for their coach, George Karl.
EAST:
(1) CAVALIERS defeat (8) BULLS in 5 games - Don't expect a repeat of last year, when the 8-seed Bulls took the Celtics to 7 games. The Cavs are too good and rested to drop more than 1 game.
(2) MAGIC defeat (7) BOBCATS in 5 games - Charlotte is tough at home, so they'll win a game. But Orlando is way more talented and experienced, and they take this one easily in 5.
(3) HAWKS defeat (6) BUCKS in 6 games - It's a shame that Andrew Bogut got hurt. If he's available, the Bucks can win the series. Instead, they have no chance of taking down super-talented Atlanta on the road.
(4) CELTICS defeat (5) HEAT in 5 games - Miami is really hot, but we know that Boston has been saving up for a postseason run. They won't lose more than 1 game in this series. Rondo vs. Wade will be fun to watch.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Second Round -
WEST:
(1) LAKERS defeat (4) NUGGETS in 6 games - Will be a great series. Denver might have George Karl back, and we know they are not afraid of L.A. But the Lakers are too good for a letdown against the inconsistent Nuggets. A healthy L.A. wins in 6.
(2) MAVERICKS defeat (3) SUNS in 7 games - Another awesome series, two very similar teams will battle for 7 games, each team winning a road game. But the Mavs take care of business at home in game 7.
EAST:
(1) CAVALIERS defeat (4) CELTICS in 5 games - Boston has no shot in this series. The Cavs know they can win in Boston, and they'll dominate at home. Celtics give fans hope with a game 3 home W, but quickly go down in 5.
(2) MAGIC defeat (3) HAWKS in 6 games - Orlando is just too talented, and Atlanta will struggle to defend Howard inside. Hawks should win 2 at home, but they fall in 6 games.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Conference Finals -
WEST:
(2) MAVERICKS defeat (1) LAKERS in 6 games - This year, Dallas is just as talented as L.A. It's up to Dirk Nowitzki to show up in the postseason like Kobe always does. I see the Mavs splitting the first 2 in L.A., then holding serve at home for a 6-game win. Dallas' bench plays a huge role in the series victory.
EAST:
(1) CAVALIERS defeat (2) MAGIC in 6 games - A rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Finals that we've been waiting for all year. This time, LeBron has more help to get his team over the top. I think Orlando splits the first two in Cleveland, but the Cavs take back one in Orlando. In the end, Cleveland wins game 6 at home to advance to the Finals.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NBA FINALS -
CAVALIERS defeat MAVERICKS in 6 games - LeBron James finally leads his team to a championship, and Cleveland fans rejoice with their first pro sports title since 1964. Dallas will put up a great fight, and it will be quite an entertaining series. But it's Cleveland's year, and they get it done with the home court advantage. Two months later, LeBron James bolts for a 4-year deal in New York. ... Yeah, that's wishful thinking from a Knicks fan. But either way, LeBron gets his first title and reigns King at the top of the basketball world. He gets to pick wherever he wants to play next year.
We'll see how my picks pan out!
