Eastern Conference
Cleveland (1) vs Detroit (8) - Cleveland in 5. If the Pistons couldn't beat LeBron when they had homecourt advantage and Chauncey Billups as their starting PG, it's surely not going to happen now.
Boston (2) vs. Chicago (7) - Unless Michael Jordan returns and is magically in his prime, the Bulls will not win this series. The team is too young and inexperienced. While the Celts will be missing KG, it shouldn't be a factor against Chicago. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will cause significant matchup problems for the Bulls and Rajon Rondo has played consistently well all season. Playoff experience alone should be enough for the Celtics. The Garnett injury also gives Boston an added bonus in the "nobody believed in us" motivation. Boston in 5.
Orlando (3) vs. Philadelphia (6) - I think this series is going to be closer than people think because the Magic are not completely healthy right now. It would not surprise me if the Sixers pull off an upset here, especially if key starters Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu are not playing at 100%. (Random side note: Tony Battie should not ever be in an NBA starting lineup, regardless of injury). Plus, the Magic rely too much on the 3 point shot. Even if they aren't hitting, they keep shooting, often ignoring Dwight Howard in the process. I still don't think Philly has enough to beat them in a seven game series. The Cavs nearly beat them in a contest that had important playoff implications for the Sixers... and Cleveland was playing without Lebron, Mo Williams and Big Z! Orlando in 6.
Atlanta (4) vs. Miami (5) - There are a lot of experts that are picking Miami to prevail in this matchup. The Heat have the best player on the court in Dwayne Wade, who nearly singlehandedly led them to the 2006 NBA title. While Wade is an amazing player, I don't trust the rest of his supporting cast. Maybe Jermaine O'neal would have an impact on the playoffs if this was 2004, but he hasn't done anything impressive all year. Starting PG Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasely, their first man off the bench, are both rookies too, which would make me nervous if I were a Heat fan. The Hawks on the other hand looked great in their playoff run last year, almost pulling off the biggest upset in NBA history. They have homecourt advantage, a veteran point guard, and Joe Johnson, who scored at will in the 2008 postseason. While the Hawks aren't very deep, they should still have enough to hold off Miami. Atlanta in 6.
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