Playoff Predictions 2010

Last year, I predicted every single series correctly, except Houston over Portland. As I will this year, I did my predictions through the finals BEFORE the playoffs started.

FIRST ROUND:

East


(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (8) Chicago Bulls:


This series is not going to take long, and it is not going to be close. The Bulls gave the Celtics a good run for their money last year in one of the most exciting playoff series ever. That won't happen against the Cavs. LeBron wants a championship, and he is not going to mess around.

My Prediction: Cavaliers in four


(2) Orlando Magic vs (7) Charlotte Bobcats:


The Magic surprised a lot of people last year when they upset LeBron and the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. I was not one of them. The Bobcats are excited to be in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, but they will have to wait until next time to get their first playoff victory.

My Prediction: Magic in four

(3) Atlanta Hawks vs (6) Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee is a tremendous story. Not only did they come out of nowhere and  emerge as a team that no one wanted to play, but they did it without a premier player. Michael Redd went down early in the season, and the load fell on rookie Brandon Jennings. Jennings did not just produce, he thrived in the role. And though his scoring from early in the year did not last, Jennings was an absolute sensation for the Bucks. Along with Andrew Bogut, and the late season addition of John Salmons, the Bucks were able to have a great year. With Bogut likely not playing in the first round, the Bucks are not likely to do much damage.

My Prediction: Hawks in five


(4) Boston Celtics vs (5) Miami Heat:


First things first... Miami is my hometown, and the Heat are my team. That said, the Celtics are the better team. Dwyane Wade is going to have a crazy (and fun) off-season as the Heat make a run at LeBron James, and look to Amare Stoudemire or Chris Bosh as a plan B. That off-season will start sooner than later for Miami. The Celtics are old, and not what they were two years ago. They really showed that this season. But the old guys will turn it off for the playoffs, and make it out of the first round.

My Predictions: Celtics in six

West

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (8) Oklahoma City Thunder:

Kobe Bryant! Kevin Durant! The veteran defending champs. The young high flying studs! This series could go four games, or it could go seven, either way, it is going to be a lot of fun to watch! The Thunder are one of the league's most exciting teams to watch, and certainly one of the best stories of the 2009-10 season. But the Lakers are certainly not going down in the first round. Congrats on a great season Thunder!

My Prediction: Lakers in five


(2) Dallas Mavericks vs San Antonio Spurs


The West is deep. The Spurs are the perfect example of that. No one wanted to play them in the first round. Unfortunately for Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs, they got em. The Spurs have been there and done that, no mater what it is. They are the most veteran and experienced team in the league. But Dallas did not trade for Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood to go out in the first round.

My Prediction: Dallas in a very tough six

(3) Phoenix Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers 

Phoenix was not expected to be sitting in the three spot when anyone did their preseason predictions. Don't get me wrong, they were no doubt a playoff team. But the three spot? What happened? Steve Nash an Amare Stoudemire happened. And their going to keep happening. With Brandon Roy questionable at best with a knee injury, and the Suns simply being the better team, this series won't last too long.

My Prediction: Suns in five


(4) Denver Nuggets vs (5) Utah Jazz


Denver should have held their ground and been to second or third seed in the West. Unfortunately, George Carl was diagnosed with cancer, and had to leave the team. They have not been the same since. Not only have they lost their mojo, but they have not been able to win on the road. Utah is as tough of a place as their is to play in the NBA. This is going to be a brutally difficult series for both teams.

My Prediction: Denver in seven (Home team wins every game)


SECOND ROUND:


(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (4) Boston Celtics 


This will not be an easy series for the Cavs. The former champs know what it takes to win, and their not going to go down without a fight. That said, I will take Manny Pacquiao in a fight against Muhammad Ali. Ali may have been the greatest, but at his age and condition, he would not stand a chance. Say goodbye to the Boston Celtics. They had a nice few years.

My Prediction: Cavs in five

(2) Orlando Magic vs (3) Atlanta Hawks 

The Hawks were very lucky to get the Bogut-less Bucks in the first round. That luck will not continue in the second round. Dwight Howard and the Magic will take care of business here.

My Prediciton: Orlando in five

West

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (4) Denver Nuggets 


The Nuggets are as talented as any team in the NBA. The possible return of George Carl could be a big spark for Denver. But I am a betting man, and I am betting on the proven commodity. Kobe Bryant takes care of business here.

My Prediction: Lakers in six


(2) Dallas Mavericks vs (3) Phoenix Suns


Friends Dirk Nowitzki and former Maverick Steve Nash will face off again. Nash has Amare. Dirk has everyone else. The Mavs supporting cast will be too much for Phoenix to handle.

My Prediction: Dallas in six


CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS


East


(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (2) Orlando Magic


A rematch of last years great Eastern Conference Finals is coming. The Magic grabbed Vince Carter in the off-season to try to put them over the top. The Cavs grabbed Shaq and Antawn Jamison. And while I think Shaq can be a liability, and belongs coming off the bench, he does provide an experienced leader in the locker room. That said, LeBron is poised to win, and win now. He is not going to let this one slip away.

My Prediction: Cavs in six


West


(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (2) Dallas Mavericks 


Ron Artest joined the Lakers in the off-season to win a championship. He is the only player on the Lakers roster who was not part of the championship team last season. And I am not so sure that is going to change. The Mavericks have the players to match up with the Lakers at every position. And they also have the amazing sixth man in Jason Terry. It won't be easy, and Ron Artest will have a meltdown, but the Mavs will take it.

My Prediction: Mavs in seven


NBA Finals


(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (2) Dallas Mavericks 

LeBron wants it! Dirk wants it! Shaq wants it! Jason Kidd wants it! Jamison wants it! Caron wants it! Who does not want it? Everyone plays to win championships. Neither one of these teams is going to go down easily. This could be one of the best NBA Finals in the last decade. As much as LeBron wants it, I think Dallas will find a way.

My Prediction: Dallas in seven