Ok with the playoffs starting tommorrow here is my prediciton of what will happen in the first round. We'll start with the Western Conference.

Lakers vs. Nuggets:

Well the Lakers are number one again for the first time in a long time and Nuggets are in the bottom four of the playoff mix once again. I'm not going to lie things have been crazy since each conference has 3 divisions now especially in the west. But back to the prediction. Nuggets are just like one of those annoying teams that can make the playoffs but will do nothing when they get there. Kinda like Memphis a couple years back. But overall even though they got a A.I., Carmelo, and Marcus Camby you think that this team would be a whole lot better but they're not. Lakers are going to finish this series quick and the Nuggets won't get out of the first round again.

Lakers in 6.

Jazz vs. Rockets:

They meet again in the first round. Wow this is a series I'm getting tired of seeing in the first round. LOL! Well let's see. The Jazz are impossible to beat at home. The Rockets are without Yao Ming. Even though the team has played well without him I think it won't be enough against the Jazz to move on to the next round. I'm sorry Tracy McGrady but you'll be out in the first round yet again this season.

Jazz in 7.

Spurs vs. Suns

A rematch of what we saw in the semifinals a year ago. This time the Suns have Shaq. They have played fairly well down the stretch with him in the lineup. But they are going up against the defending champions. This is kind of weird match up for me. One team that could possibly win it all will be going out in the first round. It will be dissapointing for whatever team it is. Best first round series by far.

Spurs in 7.

Hornets vs. Mavericks

Well the Hornets are led by Chris Paul. Now that they are in the playoffs for the first time in the west will they make some noise or flame just like Memphis did. They are going up against a team that has been to playoffs year in and year out. And embarrassed last season to be yet a number 1 seed to go down to a number 8. Well the Mavs are the 7 seed this year and we'll see if they can pull the 7 over 2 upset. It wouldn't be much of an upset since the Hornets have never been here before. We'll see what happens but here is my prediciton for now.

Mavericks in 6.

Now that my West predictions are in let me talk about my Eastern Conference predictions.

Celtics vs. Hawks

This series won't be competitive at all. It will be a warm up series for the Celtics if anything. I mean they did sweep the regular season series against the Hawks. Need I say more.

Celtics in 4.

Cavliers vs. Wizards

Another series I'm tired of seeing in the first round. Well for the Wizards Gilbert Arenas is back so they are that much better without him. And Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler have been playing very well. So it will be a competitive series. But Cavs got Lebron. And other players. The trade they made a few months back hasn't really gotten them better but I still feel that they are good enough to get to at least round 2. This offseason the Cavs got to get Lebron some help.

Cavaliers in 7.

Magic vs. Raptors

Well the Magic is a really good team this seaon. Howard is playing good and Rashard Lewis has definitely helped. But Hedo Turkoglu has played incredible. Better than I had certainly thought. It is going to be an ok series for them. It won't be a sweep though. The Raptors will play hard but Chris Bosh won't be enough to get over the Dwight Howard and the rest of the Magic squad.

Magic in 6.

Pistons vs. 76ers

I got to congratulate the Sixers for getting back into the playoffs only  a season after getting rid of Allen Iverson. I guess that was the Answer. LOL! But in the eastern conference until they can get some quality ball clubs out there again anything can happen. They won't get passed the Pistons. It will be quick is what I'm predicting. Enough on this series.

Pistons in 5.

Ok those are my predictions. We'll see if I am right and we'll see if there are any upsets. I'm always hoping for those. Some time within the coming days  I will post about the teams that didn't make the playoffs and headed for the lottery.