Western Conference
Utah Jazz (8) at Los Angeles Lakers (1) – All the Jazz have to do is steal one on the road and defend their home court. They’re very good on their home court. About the only .500 team they can beat on the road is the New Orleans Hornets. Unfortunately for the Jazz, they have had a problem with the Lakers ever since Kobe has been the man there. Don’t look for the Jazz to take any in Los Angeles and look for the Lakers to steal one of games 3 and 4 in Salt Lake City, much to the chagrin of the Utah faithful. Prediction: Lakers in 5.
Houston Rockets (5) at Portland Trailblazers (4) – There are two major dilemmas at work here in deciding who will win this series. 1. The Portland Trailblazers are very young. 2. It’s been a long time since Houston has made it out of the first round, even when they had the home court advantage. I think the youth of the Blazers is going to be a major issue. If McGrady were in the lineup, I’d bet against the Rockets. (I think his exceptionally poor shooting, especially in the playoffs, is a major reason why his teams have not succeeded.) With McGrady side-lined, I think this is the year for the Rockets. Prediction: Rockets in 6.
Dallas Mavericks (6) at San Antonio Spurs (3) – Dallas ended the season strong. San Antonio ended the season without Manu Ginobili. Despite the Spurs having the home-court advantage, I’ve got to think that the lack of Ginobili might be the proverbial straw. I hate picking against the Spurs, but I’m going to do it anyway. Prediction: Mavericks in 6
New Orleans Hornets (7) at Denver Nuggets (2) – The Hornets are the weakest playoff team in the Western Conference. In fact, I think Phoenix is a better team than the Hornets. Chris Paul manages to will this team to a respectable number of wins, but I don’t think he’ll have enough to get them past Chauncey Billups’ Nuggets. I may be going out on a limb to predict sweep, but I’m going to do it anyway. Prediction: Nuggets in 4
Eastern Conference
Detroit Pistons (8) at Cleveland Cavaliers (1) – This one was over before it started. The Cavs aren’t likely to break a sweat until they reach the NBA Finals. Prediction: Cavaliers in 4
Miami Heat (5) at Atlanta Hawks (4) – I have a lot of respect for Dwyane Wade. I also have a lot of respect for the Atlanta Hawks, who took a very good Celtics team to 7 games last year. Combine that with the fact that the Hawks are very, very good at home (just ask the aforementioned Celtics), and you’ve got to give the nod to the Hawks. I think it’ll be a close one, but I’m going to have to go with the home team. Prediction: Hawks in 7
Philadelphia 76ers (6) at Orlando Magic (3) – I know a lot of people are predicting 4 or 5 games for this series, but I’ve got to think that the poor free throw shooting of Dwight Howard is going to come back to bite them — multiple times. I still think Orlando has to be favored, but there is no way they’re going to do as well in the post-season as they did in the regular season with Howard shooting free throws so poorly. Just wait and see. Prediction: Magic in 7
Chicago Bulls (7) at Boston Celtics (2) – Without KG, I don’t know if the Celtics have enough heart to win this thing. I still remember Atlanta taking them to 7 games last year — when they were at full strength. The big question is: Can Chicago steal one on the road? Derrick Rose is very good. Without Kevin Garnett in the lineup, I think they can dethrone the defending champions in the first round. Paul Pierce thinks he is the best player in the NBA. Without Garnett, his team is going to look an awful lot like they did a few years ago. Prediction: Chicago in 6.
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