NBA Playoffs

The NBA Playoffs start tomorrow (Saturday), so I thought I'd check in with some predictions.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Milwaukee Bucks (8) vs. Detroit Pistons (1): The Pistons take the NBA's best record into the playoffs against a Bucks team that staggered in at 40-42. The Bucks have been a mediocre team since the All-Star break after a quick start to the season. The only Milwaukee steals a game is if they shoot themselves to a W.
Pistons in four

Chicago Bulls (7) vs. Miami Heat (2): The Bulls finished the season on a tear, overtaking the 76ers and holding off the hard-charging Magic for a spot in the playoffs. They'll play a Miami team that hasn't seemed to mesh yet this year. Shaq has said numerous times throughout the season that he's been taking it easy so he wouldn't be worn down for the playoffs. Well, he better come through now. The Bulls will give the Heat some trouble from the perimeter because Chicago can shoot the ball, and Miami doesn't have great perimeter defense. But Dwayne Wade of the Heat will be the best player on the floor, and he and his team want a showdown with the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Heat in five

Indiana Pacers (6) vs. New Jersey Nets (3): I haven't been sold on the Nets all season, despite the win streaks they have a tendency to put together. Their trio of scorers -- Kidd, Jefferson and Carter -- is the second best in the Eastern Conference, but it's the late play of Kristic that has turned this team into a legit contender. The Pacers played well enough to make the playoffs, and with O'Neal contributing regularly again, Indiana may be able to negate Kristic's effectiveness. Still, the Pacers don't have anyone to stop Kidd's playmaking ability.
Nets in seven

Washington Wizards (5) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (4): All the talk is about LeBron and the Cavs. No one seems to be focusing on the Wizards. Reminds me of last year's playoffs. LeBron is a true talent. He's a superstar in the league, and he may leave the NBA as the best player in the history of basketball. He led his team to 50 wins this season and could very well be named the MVP of the league. He'll be facing a Wizards team that finished 42-40, three games off last year's pace. Caron Butler was hurt for five games late in the season. Not coincidentally, the Wizards lost those five games. Had he played, the Wizards probably would've won at least three. That's a hypothetical, I know. My point is, however, that the Wizards are closer to a 45-win team than a 42-win team. The Wizards are better than many people think. However, they do have a tendency to shoot themselves out of a lot of games. They have trouble holding large leads because instead of attacking the basket and building on a lead, they shoot 3-pointers and allow long rebounds and fast breaks. They also don't play great defense. But neither do the Cavs. The Cavs don't have a point guard who can stop Arenas. If they use Hughes on Arenas, than Hughes' offense will suffer. Haywood and Ilgauskus match up well, and a combination of Jeffries, Daniels and Butler have held LeBron in relative check this year, as the Wizards took three of four games from the Cavs. The Wizards experience and the strong, tough play of Butler will help Washington. They'll steal an early game on the road and win their three home games.
Wizards in six

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Sacramento Kings (8) vs. San Antonio Spurs (1): Ron Artest thinks the Kings. He's the only one. The Spurs are too good defensively to let the Kings beat them.
Spurs in five

Los Angeles Lakers (7) vs. Phoenix Suns (2): This is a popular upset pick. Kobe is the best player in the league, but the Lakers don't have enough weapons. Do you really think Kwame Brown will continue to play well in the second season? Do you really think Luke Walton will make a difference? The Suns have offensive weapon after offensive weapon, and I'll take Shawn Marion instead of Lamar Odom any day.
Suns in six

Los Angeles Clippers (6) vs. Denver Nuggets (3): This is not an upset pick because the Clippers are the better team. Hell, they're seeded lower and have home court advantage, nonetheless. Cassell and Brand are a better one-two combo than any the Nuggets can throw at LA. 'Melo is a special player, but he's not enough to win the series.
Clippers in six

Memphis Grizzlies (5) vs. Dallas Mavericks (4): Both of these teams are victims of the NBA's inane playoff seeding system. The Grizzlies, a team that's never won a playoff game, rack up 49 wins and don't tank it like the Clippers and get the honor of playing the Mavs in the first round. The Mavs, on the other hand, will have to face the Spurs in second round. Ridiculous all the way around. This series has the makings of a defensive battle, but Dallas has a few more scoring options. The Grizzlies will finally win a playoff game, but not a series.
Mavericks in five

So, the second round should look like this:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Washington Wizards (5) vs. Detroit Pistons (1)
New Jersey Nets (3) vs. Miami Heat (2)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Dallas Mavericks (4) vs. San Antonio Spurs (1)
Los Angeles Clippers (6) vs. Phoenix Suns (2)

I'll post my semifinal predictions when we finally pare the field to eight.