NBA - 1st ROUND PREDICTIONS

Seti Matua
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This week the NBA opens the first round of the play-off’s with some intriguing match-up’s along with a few long-standing rivalries. There are a few series’ that have already been determined depending on which fans you ask (UTAH-LAL) while others may turn out to be as competitive as they’ve always been (SPURS-MAVS). Here are my predictions. Take ‘em for what they’re worth.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls – Boston Celtics
With the revelation that head coach Doc Rivers may sit Celtic Center Kevin Garnett for the post-season, the Bulls’ chances of moving beyond the first round just got better. But the advantage is not significant enough for Bulls to outpace Boston. The Celtics won the season series 2-1 and even without their star Center, they still have enough talent to yield the same result. The defending champs will be pushed, but the Bulls will eventually succumb thanks to experience and an ample amount of weapons. BOSTON in SIX

Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers
This series will last as long as the Cav’s want it to last. LeBron “King” James and crew torched the Pistons during the regular season 3-1. The Pistons will miss the contributions of Guard Allen Iverson and their ailing and aging trio of Tayshaun Prince, Antonio McDyess and Rasheed Wallace are no match for James, Anderson Varejo and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. CAVS in FIVE

Philadelphia 76ers – Orlando Magic
Another quick one as long as the Magic live up to their 59-23 regular season record that put them atop the Southeast. The X-Factor in this game is Hedo Turkoglu. With a lot of the Sixers’ attention focused on Dwight Howard, Turkoglu’s inside-outside abilities will be too much for reliable defender Andre Iguodala. But you may want to factor Turkoglu’s ankle injury. MAGIC in SIX.

Miami Heat – Atlanta Hawks
This series is a toss-up. Even though the Hawks got the better of the Heat during the regular season (3-1), you can never count out the tenacity of Dwayne Wade. The Hawks pushed eventual champs Boston in their meeting last year and have steadily improved ever since. The Hawks have to put up a lot of shots to make up for their sporadic offense but their defense has been consistent. HAWKS in SIX.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas Mavericks – San Antonio Spurs
It’s the rivalry in the Lone Star State that has provided great play-off moments in the past. They split the regular season 2-2 but the Spurs have a slight edge with Tony Parker’s speed and Tim Duncan’s solid inside presence. The Mavs’ Jason Kidd has had his moments of brilliance against Parker but for the most part the Spurs’ guard has been the better of the two. SPURS in FIVE

Houston Rockets – Portland Trailblazers
It’s the battle of the four and five seeds but I still think the Rockets have the slight edge in this contest. Yao Ming is the only significant injury (foot). It will be interesting to see the match-up between Yao and Portland’s Greg Oden, the latter being the more athletic in this contest. The Rockets have experience and history on their side, but the young Trailblazers have been surging and will make things difficult for the Rockets. ROCKETS in SEVEN

Utah Jazz – Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers absolutely demolished the Jazz in their last meeting (125-112), setting the precedent for things to come. Ronnie Brewer is an emerging talent but he has to be spectacular in this series to contain Kobe Bryant. Carlos Boozer has struggled in the play-off’s and I’m willing to wager that he’ll do the same this year. The Jazz will be on vacation before long. LAKERS in FIVE

Denver Nuggets – New Orleans Hornets
This game will come down to the backcourt. The Hornets’ Chris Paul is their biggest offensive threat but Denver’s Chauncey Billups is every bit as lethal and distributes the ball evenly to his big scorers Carmelo Anthony and Kenyon Martin. The Hornets have a number of injury concerns with Center Tyson Chandler the biggest worry (ankle). The Hornets will provide a few scares for the Nuggets, but in the end, Denver will be too big and too experienced for Paul and crew. DENVER in SEVEN.