NBA Bracket Playoff Predictions

1) Boston vs. 8) Atlanta

The Hawks are just happy to be here while anything less than a trip to the Finals is a major disappointment for the resurgent Celtics. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will dominate this series. Boston in three games.

2) Detroit vs. 7) Philadelphia

The Pistons have too much experience and depth. Their bench is much better this year and might be good enough to beat Philly in seven games on its own. Pistons in four.

3) Orlando vs. 6) Toronto

Orlando is not getting much credit but they have three excellent scorers in Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Dwight Howard, the best big man in the game except for maybe Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. Toronto is a regular season team but they will bow out easily due to their lack of athletic ability and depth. Magic in six.

4) Cleveland vs. 5) Washington

The Cavs have beaten Washington two years straight and are about to make it three. LeBron should be fired up after some comments Wizards players made. Cleveland in seven games.

West:

1) LA Lakers vs. 8) Denver

The Nuggets have a shot to make this close but the Lakers play better D and team ball. Lakers in seven.

2) New Orleans vs. 7) Dallas

The Hornets are a nice story but Dallas has too much experienced talent for them. Mavs in six.

3) San Antonio vs. 6) Phoenix

The Spurs have a slight edge in defense and Shaq can't the Suns too much these days. Spurs in six.

4) Utah vs. 5) Houston

The Rockets got a little lucky but are short on talent vs. Utah. Jazz in five.

Second Round:

Boston vs. Cleveland

Boston is a great defensive team and their length will bother LeBron James enough to wrap up the series in six games.

Detroit vs. Orlando

The Pistons might have some trouble but Rasheed Wallace is the most underrated defender in the league and he will slow down Dwight Howard for the second straight year while Chauncey Billups will punish Jameer Nelson. Pistons in six.

San Antonio vs. Dallas

The Spurs have a good matchup here as Tony Parker is too fast for Jason Kidd and they play much better defense. Spurs in six.

LA Lakers vs. Utah

The Jazz play great at home and Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer will be tough to stop. But I have a feeling LA will win game seven at Staples Center for reasons I won't get into here. But die-hard NBA fans know why.

Semis:

Detroit vs. Boston

The Pistons are a hard team to figure. They used to be the hardest-working team in the league now they're kind of lazy compared to other teams. That switch can be hard to flip sometimes. Boston has been hungry and playing hard all year. The Celtics' home court will allow them to win game seven.

LA Lakers vs. San Antonio

The Lakers have a good team all-around but San Antonio lives for these moments. Kobe Bryant is great in the clutch but Ginobili is almost as good. The Spurs win this one in six.

NBA Finals:

Boston vs. San Antonio

The Celtics have the defense to go toe-to-toe with the Spurs and it will be on full display in this series. Boston has fresher legs and a few more weapons and they will go on to win this series because the hometown crowd will be off the charts. Celtics win this one in seven games for the title.