【1st round Predictions】2010 NBA Playoffs Start Saturday
The first round of the 2010 NBA playoffs will get started on Saturday with four games throughout the day. Outside of the Cavs and Magic, I think we might have some pretty good first round matchups on our hands. The west is so good that there's no doubt there will be plenty of excitement in each game from the first round on.
So here's my predictions for what teams will advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs and why. All game times are in Eastern time zone.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs 8. Chicago Bulls, Saturday 3:00. The Bulls have been a nice story, putting it all together for the late playoff push. Derrick Rose has emerged as a star and if he can perform anything like he did against the Celtics last year, this series could be better than we think. But the Cavs have LeBron James and not much more needs to be said. He hasn't played in over a week, but the home crowd will carry the Cavs in game one and LeBron shouldn't miss a beat. Cavs in 5.
3. Atlanta Hawks vs 6. Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday 5:30. The Bucks have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA since trading for John Salmons, but the Hawks have been consistently great all season. They finally broke through into the top 3 in the East, surpassing the Celtics. This will be a learning series for the Bucks, but no Bogut, no second round. Hawks in 6.
4. Boston Celtics vs 5. Miami Heat, Saturday 8:00. Boston brings experience, championship rings and a stout starting five. The Miami Heat bring Dwyane Wade...and not much more. I was kind of amazed they ended up with the five seed, but the East is weak...again. Celtics in 5.
4. Denver Nuggets vs 5. Utah Jazz, Saturday 10:30. Expect a fast pace and a lot of scoring. There will be plenty of stars on display with Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups battling Deron Williams and Carolos Boozer for the right to take on the champion Lakers. Both teams have been close in recent years, but I think the Jazz are peaking while the Nuggets are somewhat stagnating. But keep your eye on the scoreboard, this should be an exciting series. Jazz in 7.
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs 8. Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday 3:00. Kevin Durant will get his first playoff experience and exposure, but he is running into a team that's sole goal is to win a NBA title. Kobe Bryant is a little banged up as is Bynum, but I think Pau Gasol will have his way the Thunder frontcourt. I want to say the Thunder will win more than one game, but Lakers in 5.
2. Orlando Magic vs 7. Charlotte Bobcats, Sunday 5:30. If the season went another 10-15 games, I think the Magic would have had a legitimate chance to pass the Cavs. They just look like a seasoned team and while the Bobcats making their first playoff appearance is a feel-good story, they are vastly overmatched. Tyson Chandler will have to outplay Dwight Howard for the Bobcats to have a chance. Which means no chance.
Magic in 4.
7. San Antonio Spurs vs 2. Dallas Mavericks, Sunday 8:00. The Mavs and Spurs meet again in the postseason after the Mavs got over the hump with a 4-1 first round series victory last April. The Mavs have been the second best team in the west all season in my opinion. They don't have a weakness at any position and Dirk Nowitzki can carry the team whenever it's necessary. The Spurs have finished the season well, but need a healthy Tony Parker. It's a shame, I think the Spurs could have beat some of the other playoff teams if the seedings were different.
Mavericks in 6.
3. Phoenix Suns vs 6. Portland Trailblazers, Sunday 10:30. You have to feel for the Blazers. They are chock-full of young talent, but just can't seem to avoid the injury bug. Brandon Roy MUST be 100 percent for the Blazers to have a chance and it's now being reported he will miss the first series. I think the Blazers can still win a couple, but that's the best case scenario at this point.
Suns in 6.
Who do you think will advance to the second round of the 2010 NBA playoffs? The Jazz are my only first round upset. Which matchup has the biggest potential for an upset?
