NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Seeding Predictions

1. Boston Celtics

Boston has a comfortable lead on the first seed that they will ride to the end of the season. They only play one playoff team for the rest of the season. KG, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce prepare for a playoff run.

Key Game:

4/9 at Was: This will be Boston's chance to test themselves against a playoff team and Washington tries to battle but ends up losing the game.

2. Detroit Pistons

The Pistons will finish in second with the solid lead they already have on the Magic. The team does have a schedule left that will give them some good tests before the playoffs. Richard Hamilton will also have time to recover from his sore hip.

Key Games:

4/9 at Phi: Detroit comes in and shows Philadelphia who is boss and what to fear come playoff time.

4/11 vs. Was: Detroit may play Washington in the first round and gets a chance to see the Wizards with Arenas healthy. Arenas finally gets to start a game and leads the Wizards over the Pistons.

4/13 vs. Tor: Ford and Bosh versus Billups and Wallace have a pretty even fight. The bench for the Pistons led by Rodney Stuckey win the game for Detroit.

4/16 at Cle: Ben Wallace helps Lebron beat Detroit. Pistons plan to use loss as fuel in playoffs.

3. Orlando Magic

The team has already clinched the third seed and their division. The team will prepare with the playoffs and have time to bang bodies with Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard.

Key Games:

4/15 at Atl: Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson show Orlando a real backcourt and rip the Magic apart.

4/16 vs. Was: This will be a real battle with each team's main three fighting it out. Even more fascinating is the Magic and the Wizards could meet in the first round.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

Lebron has finally gotten some help. He has Ben Wallace who helps with offense. But, even more importantly the defense has improved enough to get Cleveland to 4^th.

Key Games:

4/14 at Phi: Lebron shows the young Philadelphia team what a contender looks like. Philadelphia shows their youth.

4/16 vs. Det: Ben Wallace helps Lebron beat Detroit. Pistons plan to use loss as fuel in playoffs.

5. Philadelphia Sixers

Philadelphia is a young team that has found their flow. The team has a tough schedule that they manage to overcome. Andre Miller leads this young team and their momentum carries them to 5^th place.

Key Games:

4/9 vs. Det: Detroit comes in and shows Philadelphia who is boss and what to fear come playoff time.

4/12 at Was: Philadelphia is healthy and Washington isn't. It shows tonight as Philadelphia gains another game on the Wizards.

4/14 vs. Cle: Lebron shows the young Philadelphia team what a contender looks like. Philadelphia shows their youth. But, they also show their energy and teamwork. Andre Iguodala comes out against Lebron and manages to equal his star power this night.

6. Washington Wizards

Washington tries to catch Cavaliers. But, in the end they can't even hold off Philadelphia. Jamison is injured and Gilbert Arenas is just getting healthy and they can't stop the Sixers momentum.

Key Games:

4/9 vs. Bos: This will be Boston's chance to test themselves against a playoff team and Washington tries to battle but ends up losing the game.

4/11 at Det: Detroit may play Washington in the first round and gets a chance to see the Wizards with Arenas healthy. Arenas finally gets to start a game and leads the Wizards over the Pistons.

7. Toronto Raptors

Toronto has Atlanta hot on its tail. But, they win against their weak schedule to stay as the seventh seed. T.J. Ford leads this team in the backcourt with Chris Bosh dominating down low and scoring points by the bucket load.

Key Game:

4/13 at Det: This is Toronto's only game left on the schedule against a playoff team and it is very important because they could play Detroit in the first round. Ford and Bosh versus Billups and Wallace have a pretty even fight. The bench for the Pistons led by Rodney Stuckey win the game for Detroit.

8. Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta has a tough schedule and Indiana is on its tail. But, Atlanta has one thing that Indiana has. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith bring the star power that the Pacers don't. Mike Bibby steers the Hawks to the eighth seed.

Key Games:

4/8 at Ind: Indiana and Atlanta are very close at every position. But, Bibby will beat Travis Diener at the point, while Al Horford will control Jeff Foster down low.

4/12 vs. Bos: Boston is just better at every position than Atlanta. Boston is trying to get rest and Atlanta is trying to make the playoffs. But, Boston is too good and Atlanta goes down in a close game.

4/15 vs. Orl: Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson show Orlando a real backcourt and rip the Magic apart.