NBA Playoffs: Predicting the First Round

The first round of the NBA playoffs is well under way, but it's never too late to predict the series outcomes.

My predictions follow; feel free to post yours below.

Western Conference

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies (8)
Status: Grizzlies lead 1-0
Prediction: Spurs in six games
Why: San Antonio simply has too much experience to lose this series. Gregg Popovich will figure out a way to game plan some victories, and the Spurs will have Manu Ginobili back sooner than later, which will make a world of difference. I keep hearing that Tim Duncan is done, that Tony Parker is done, that neither is the same player he used to be. It's true that both guys have lost a step, but they're still very good, and certainly good enough to get to the second round.

(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) New Orleans Hornets
Status: Hornets lead 1-0
Prediction: Lakers in six games
Why: As a Blazers fan, I'd love to see L.A. fall in the first round, but I just can't let myself believe the Hornets are going to top the Lakers in a best-of-seven series. At this point, it's really just a matter of the Lakers flipping the switch, getting in sync and pulling it together. And I think they'll do that. It's Phil Jackson's last year, and at some point, pride is going to kick in for Kobe and Co. When it does, not even Chris Paul will be able to save New Orleans.

(3) Dallas Mavericks vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers
Status: Mavericks lead 2-0
Prediction: Blazers in seven games
Why: I can't root against my team, can I? I will say this, though - unless Portland makes some serious adjustments in Game 3 and puts it all together, I'm rescinding this prediction. The Blazers have failed to stop the Mavericks' "other" guys in the first two games of this series, allowing Jason Kidd and Peja Stojakovic to do so much damage that when Dirk Nowitzki took over in the fourth quarter (as he's often going to do), there was nothing Portland could do. Slow the supporting cast and you'll beat Dallas. I'm still optimistic Portland will figure that out.

(4) Oklahoma City vs. (5) Denver Nuggets
Status: Thunder lead 1-0
Prediction: Thunder in six games
Why: I like this matchup, and I'd really love to see it go seven games, but I think Kevin Durant and Co. are just too much for the new-look Nuggets to handle. Denver will win a couple of games, though, because they're tough and they're playing well and George Karl knows what he's doing. But ultimately, Oklahoma City is just too talented to be denied in this series.

Eastern Conference

(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (8) Indiana Pacers
Status: Bulls lead 2-0
Prediction: Bulls in four games
Why: I initially thought this series would go five games, but after Chicago came back in the opener - in a game Indiana led by 10 with 3:28 left and really should've won - I changed my mind. I knew Chicago had the firepower to win in the postseason this year, but now I know the Bulls can come back and win tight games that they really should have lost, a key element to any successful playoff run.

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
Status: Heat lead 2-0
Prediction: Heat in four games
Why: I'll admit that I never really thought the 76ers were going to hang with Miami in this series, but I thought they might at least win a game. I've changed my mind after seeing them play two games. The Heat are just too talented for Philly at this point, and they're playing great basketball right now, which only makes things tougher for the Sixers.

(3) Boston Celtics vs. (6) New York Knicks
Status: Celtics lead 2-0
Prediction: Celtics in five games
Why: I'd like to believe that New York will take this six or seven games, and although I think a six-game series is still a possibility, I don't see the Celtics being denied in this series. New York was without Chauncey Billups for all of Game 2, and without Amare Stoudemire for the second half, and they still kept it close. But Boston prevailed despite 42 points and 17 rebounds from Carmelo Anthony, their veteran leadership coming through late in the game. I think New York will steal a game, but the Celtics are just the better team right now.

(4) Orlando Magic vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks
Status: Series tied 1-1
Prediction: Magic in six games
Why: I love the way Dwight Howard is playing right now, and although the Hawks showed in Game 1 that they can beat Orlando even when Howard goes off, I think the big man's production over the course of the series is going to wear down Atlanta and, ultimately, send the Magic to the second round.