NBA Playoff Preview

After 82 games, the NBA is ready to finally head into the playoffs. If the NBA, goes with it's normal schedule, the Finals should be sometime in July of '07. I guess that's what happens when people actually watch a sport (sorry NHL). Here's a look at the first round:

Eastern Conference

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Milwaukee Bucks

Last year's Eastern Conference representative is at it again, this time with the best record in the NBA. Their opponents are the below .500 Bucks, a team led by the fantastic Michael Redd. The Bucks are definitely a team that can get hot, but in no way will they be able to pull off 4 victories against the Pistons. Consider this a stepping stone, Detroit.

Prediction: Detroit 4-1

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are young and some people believe they could be a team capable of upsetting the Heat. I just see no way that the Bulls will be able to stop Dwyane Wade, let alone Shaquille O'Neal. Despite not living up to all the hype during the regular season, the Heat are one of the true contenders for the championship.

Prediction: Miami 4-1

(3) New Jersey Nets vs. (6) Indiana Pacers

This is the most intriguing matchup in the first round. I think the Nets would have handled both the Bulls and Bucks just fine, but the Pacers match up fairly well with them. Rick Carlisle is still one of the better coaches in the league and should be able to get a lot out of his team. I really think this could go either way, but I'll stick with Vince Carter and Jason Kidd just to be on the safe side.

Prediction: New Jersey 4-3

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Washington Wizards

This should be a very entertaining series. On one side you have the biggest names in Lebron James taking on an emerging star in Gilbert Arenas. The Wizards are capable of scoring lots of points every time they hit the court and I think that will be too much for James and company.

Prediction: Washington 4-3

Western Conference

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Sacramento Kings

Do you really think the defending champions are going to lose to a team led by Ron Artest? I think not. The Spurs are a smart, physical team that just wears you down. The first round should be no problem for Tim Duncan and crew. At least Shareef Abdur-Raheem can finally say he played in a playoff game.

Prediction: San Antonio 4-0

(2) Phoenix Suns vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers

This one should be a fun series. Steve Nash is without question my favorite player in the league to watch. Then there's that Kobe Bryant fellow, I hear he's pretty good as well. However, the Suns depth and quickness will be too much for the Lakers to handle.

Prediction: Phoenix 4-2

(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Los Angeles Clippers

The Nuggets have not lived up to their hype this season and have no business being a number 3 seed. I truly believe that this Clipper team is capable of doing damage in the playoffs, and I am going to label them the darkhorse.

Prediction: Los Angeles 4-2

(4) Dallas Mavericks vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizz just can't catch a break. They should have purposely lost for the last month and tried to have landed the Nuggets just so they could finally win their first playoff series. This is perhaps the best Maverick team ever now that coach Avery Johnson (my coach of the year) has made defense a priority. The Grizzlies are a hard-working team, but it would take a miracle to beat the Mavs.

Prediciton: Dallas 4-1

Written by: Brandon Tessoff