So finally the NBA playoffs are upon us. Finally. For the first time in a few years, I am actually looking forward to the playoffs before they start. Usually, it's more like "Hey the NBA Finals are on, this may be interesting."
That is definitely a far cry from my stance to start off this NBA season. At the start of the season, I would have rather watched HGTV for an extended amount of time than tune in for an entire NBA game. But when the NBA playoffs start up tomorrow, we are going to get to see some really good matchups. And so here are my picks. Now remember, with these picks I claim to have no expertise. It's just my way of feeling important for 15 minutes.
First Round
(1) BOSTON V. (8) ATLANTA
Or as Jim Rome would say, "Beantown v. Hotlanta." Or at least the Hotlanta part. Which I don't get the nickname, but oh well. This series is going to be very very boring. Boston is too good, and Atlanta should not be let in the playoffs with their losing record. If you compare the Hawks' record in the West, they would be in the 12th position right now. It's a shame that the Eastern Conference has come to this. With that said, I think they'll take a game from the Celtics. Boston in 5.
(2) DETROIT V. (7) PHILADELPHIA
Philly has been one of the best teams in the league in the second half of the NBA season. So I don't think this series will be a complete mismatch like the Boston-Atlanta matchup is. Detroit is still the most experienced team in the conference, and for that fact alone, I don't think that Philly has a chance in this series. Detroit wins in 6.
(3) ORLANDO V. (6) TORONTO
There is definitely potential for a close series between the Magic and the Raptors. The Raptors were quite a surprise in last year's playoffs, and played much better than most expected. I think Orlando has flown most of the season under the radar while becoming a very competitive team in the East. The combo of Rashard Lewis, Turkoglu and Howard will be too much for Bosh to handle all by his self. Magic in 6.
(4) CLEVELAND V. (5) WASHINGTON
By far, this is the most intriguing and best matchup in the East. These teams have done battle in the playoffs for two previous years, with Cleveland winning both of those series'. This is the 3rd straight year they'll be hooking up. And there is lots of bad blood between these two teams. They absolutely hate each other. It'll be very interesting to see if LeBron can single-handily take on Jamison, Stephenson, Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas all by himself. I just don't think that this is the year that LeBron can carry the Cavs like he did last year. Wizards in 7.
Second Round:
(1) BOSTON V. (5) WASHINGTON
The Wizards are going to spend all their playoff energy in the first round to beat LeBron and the Cavs. They won't have much left to compete with the Celtics. Boston is just too good overall, although this series isn't going to be a pushover. Washington competed very well with the Celts during the season, taking the season series from Boston. But I just don't see the Wizards pulling off this big of an upset. Boston in 6.
(2) DETROIT V. (3) ORLANDO
I think that this series is a little more lopsided than the seeding makes it look. Even though the Magic are a legit three-seed in the East, they just aren't as talented as the Pistons. The Pistons might be getting older but their veterans are anything but "old." Orlando will get close in all the games, but playoff experience will win out. Pistons in 6.
Eastern Conference Finals:
(1) BOSTON V. (2) DETROIT
These two teams played a total of three times this season. Boston won two of those meetings, and every game was very close and dominated by defense. Nothing will change in the Eastern Conference Finals between these teams. They both play the same style of ball, focusing more on defense to set the overall tone. Everyone on Earth is picking the Celtics, so I'm going to go against the grain and pick the Pistons to win. As far as I see it, the Celtics are just not that much better than Detroit. Pistons win in 7.
