2009 NBA first round playoff predictions

Eastern Conference

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons:  Cavs in 5.  Lebron and Co. are just too good.  Even though Detroit is battle tested, this is not the same team that they once had.  I say 5 graciously, because anything can happen.

#2 Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls:  Celtics in 6.   Even without Kevin Garnett, I still don’t think the Bulls have the firepower to counter.  They do have some very streaky shooters (Ben Gordon, John Salmons) that could win them a game or two; but not a series.  Expect Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to step up big.

#3 Orlando Magic vs Philadelphia 76ers.  Orlando in 6.  Even with injuries to Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkogolu, the Magic should still roll.  Although, if these injuries increase and make it so the aforementioned players can’t play, the tide could quickly turn.  However, Philly has no one that can contain Dwight Howard.  I’m expecting a big series from him.

#4 Atlanta Hawks vs Miami Heat:  Atlanta in 7.  Dwayne Wade is damn good, but he’s not enough to beat a solid Hawks team single handedly.  The Hawks have the bigs to build an interior wall on defense as well as a star in Joe Johnson.  Although I like Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers for the Heat, I can’t put my trust in rookies performing above and beyond in the playoffs. 

 

Western Conference

 

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz.  L.A. in 5.  The Lakers in my opinion are the best team in basketball, and the favorite to win the title.  They have a myriad of althetic big men (Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum) that the Jazz cannot contain, alongside the reigning MVP, Kobe Bryant.  The Lakers have too much firepower for the Jazz to deal with.  It would not shock me to see the Lakers sweep, however, the Jazz have the capability to win a couple games because the Jazz are so good at home.  If the Jazz need any shot to win, they will need huge games by Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, as well as a healthy Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko (mentally). 

#2 Denver Nuggets vs #7 New Orleans Hornets:  Nuggets in 6.  Denver has been a slept on team all year, but have been solid all season.  The Hornets have been injury plagued and underachieved this year.  However, they do have the x factor in the series; Chris Paul.  However, I see New Orleans having no shot without Tyson Chandler.  The Chauncey Billups/CP3 matchup should be intriguing, as well as David West against the Denver bigs.  However, if Tyson Chandler can’t play in this series for New Orleans, they have no chance.

#3 San Antonio Spurs vs #6 Dallas Mavericks:  Spurs in 7.  For years I’ve picked against the Spurs and they have continuously proved me wrong.  Jason Kidd doesn’t have the legs to stop Tony Parker who will be x factor.  Role players like George Mason and Matt Bonner will have to step up as well.  However, the Mavs have been playing very well, and without Ginobili, the Spurs could be in a lot of trouble. 

#4 Portland Trailblazers vs #5 Houston Rockets.   Houston in 7.  Houston finally gets out of the first round!  Without Tracy Mcgrady!  This will be my most anticipated series of the first round.  Yao Ming will have to be the x factor and dominate the bigs of Portland.  I see Brandon Roy struggling because of Houston’s solid defense and the combination of Ron Artest and Shane Battier (two elite defenders) sharing the task of guarding him.  Although I love Portland – who is incredibly tough at home – I see Houston being the more experienced, battle tested team.  Watch out for Portland come next season though.