NBA Playoff Predictions

Professional basketball is the only sport that I follow closely enough to feel confident to make predictions in public. Since the playoffs officially kick off tomorrow, here are my predictions for Round 1. Once Round 1 is done, I will then predict the next round and so forth...

East

Cleveland (1) v. Chicago (8): Chicago gets one, so Cleveland moves on 4-1. Del Negro gets fired soon after.

Orlando (2) v. Charlotte (7): Orlando sweeps 4-0. As great as Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace are, Orlando just has too much firepower.

Atlanta (3) v. Milwaukee (6): It is a shame that Bogut went down for the season, because Milwaukee was one of the feel good stories of the year. Had Bogut not gotten hurt combined with the electrifying Brandon Jennings, this would have been a real series. But, it is what it is. Atlanta wins 4-2. I like Atlanta a lot, anyway, so I'm pulling for them.

Boston (4) v. Miami (5): As decrepid as Boston is, Miami just doesn't have enough weapons. Boston wins 4-2, but they will be knocked out easily by Cleveland in the next round.

West

L.A. Lakers (1) v. Oklahoma City (8): It is a shame that OKC got the 8th seed and face the Lakers in the first round. They could have been really dangerous in the playoffs, and Durant & Co. will give the Lakers some scares, but they aren't there yet. Lakers move on 4-2.

Dallas (2) v. San Antonio (7): The West was so close this season that the difference between the 2nd seed Dallas and 7th seed SA is only 5 games. This could be a really great series, with Ginobili playing like a superstar these past few months. Had the surprising George Hill not gotten hurt, I would have given this series to SA in 7. But without Hill, that really hurts San Antonio. I'd rather have Hill out there over Tony Parker. So, this goes to Dallas, 4-3.

Phoenix (3) v. Portland (6): I feel like a broken record, but had Portland's Brandon Roy not gotten injured, this could have been an epic series. But, Roy is injured, so it won't be. Phoenix wins 4-2.

Denver (4) v. Utah (5): This is the only series in the first round that is a true toss-up (SA has a chance of upsetting Dallas too, but they've got to play really well). This should be the most fun to watch in Round 1. I haven't called an upset yet, so I guess I'll do it here. Utah wins, 4-3.

Talk to you next round. Your predictions? Agree or disagree?