NBA First Round Predictions

San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz
The Spurs are well rested and more than ready for the playoffs. Seeing how they handled the Jazz in game 1, I would not be surprised if they sweep them. Manu can pass like no one I have ever seen, Parker is a master at attacking the rim, and Duncan can defend almost anyone.

Let us not forget what happened last year when the Grizzlies beat the top-ranked Spurs 4-2.

                                      SPURS in 5



Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks

Dirk can shoot, Terry can shoot, Marion can shoot, too much shooting! The Thunder have variety! Westbrook can attack the paint, Harden can shoot 3-pointers, Serge and Perkins are a defensive powerhouse, and Durant, who is all of these, is a
serious M.V.P. candidate.

Plus, the addition of point guard Derek Fisher can help get the
ball out of Westbrook's hands

                                   THUNDER in 4







Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets

Metta World Peace is suspended for the first 6 games of the playoffs, so the Lakers are depending on the rookie Devin Ebanks of West Virginia to guard Danilo Galinari. That is why I predict Danilo to score. A lot. Bynum is having a block party so far, and Kobe is still scoring. A lot.

So in the end, the Lakers better hope it goes past 5 games. Kevin Durant will not go easy on Ebanks.

                                     LAKERS in 7






Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers

The "Lob City" Clippers' dynamic duo of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, vs. the "Red Hot" Grizzlies' All Star caliber team. This one is really tough. Blake can dunk, and CP3 can assist. That is the perfect combo, but the Grizzlies starting lineup is Conley, T. Allen, Gay, Randolph, M. Gasol, with O. J. Mayo on the bench.

Game 7 will decide this one. So game 1's 27-point comeback favors the Clips.



CLIPPERS in 7

Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers

The Bulls really should have this one in the bag, it's just that Derrick Rose is out with a torn ACL and Philly is going to take advantage of it. The Bulls still have good players to take his place (Watson, Lucas III) but in the playoffs, you don't play the same without your leader.

So the Bulls need to step up to take control of the series, and the Sixers need to try and play to win like they did early in the season since Rose is out on the Bulls squad.
     
                                        BULLS in 7












Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks


Amare is out, Lin is out, and Baron Davis is old. The Heat has LeBron, who has improved greatly this year, Wade, and Bosh. Not only do the stats go against the Knicks, but the Heat has already won two games against them.

Carmelo is the Knicks last hope, unless Linsanity comes back game four like he said.

HEAT in 4

Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic

At first glance, we see the Orlando Magic without Dwight Howard. That led me to the conclusion that the Pacers will sweep the Magic.  The Bulls are also playing without their leader, and their chances of winning decreased dramatically. But the Magic take it differently, as motivation.

The Magic will win at least two games, so I won't be surprised if they win the series.

                                          PACERS in 6







Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Celtics are good, bur without Rondo in game 2, it will be tough for them. That is another game in the bag for Atlanta, and also Ray Allen is out, too. So it's down to two, KG and Pierce, to win an entire series against the Hawks' Joe Johnson and Josh Smith.

The Hawks have a problem at point guard and the Celtics have a problem at center, so four players on each team could make a difference.

                                       HAWKS in 5