2008 NBA Playoff Predictions

Western Conference Playoff Predictions:

#1 L.A. Lakers vs. #8 Denver Nuggets

The L.A. Lakers take on the Denver Nuggets in the first found of the NBA Playoffs with their Game 1 starting Sunday, April 20th. The Lakers were fortunate to get to face Denver considering they went 3-0 against the Nuggets during the regular season. The Mavs nearly dropped to the No. 8 seed which would have been a much tougher match-up for L.A. Not only did the Lakers win all 3 games against Denver this season, but they dominated for the most part. A 28-point win, a 17-point win and a 4-point victory at Denver has to have the Lakers coming in with much confidence knowing they can get out of this series in a hurry. The Nuggets don't play any defense which has been a strong point for the Lakers all year. Teams can't try and outscore their opponents in the playoffs because it simply does not work. Plus Denver has the Carmello Anthony DUI incident weighing on their shoulders and that could be a big distraction heading into this series. The Lakes win in 5 games.

#2 New Orleans Hornets vs. #7 Dallas Mavericks

We get the vibe that New Orleans comes into this series as the underdog despite being the #2 seed and holding the top record in the Western Conference for most of the season. This is because most folks haven't seen the Hornets play and don't have the respect for this team that they really should. New Orleans plays superb defense and get great shots nearly every time down the floor. Chris Paul sets his teammates up with great looks and he can actually score the ball better than most people give him credit for. The edge goes to Chris Paul at the point guard position because of his ability to score against Jason Kidd. Dirk Nowitzki looks fully recovered from and ankle injury and will be a very difficult cover for the Hornets. These teams split their season series at 2-2 with the home team winning each time. This series looks destined for a Game 7 where the home team will have the clear advantage. Head Coach Byron Scott may be the most underrated coach in the league after taking the New Jersey Nets to the NBA Finals twice. He has led the Hornets to an improbable season and will lead them to an "improbable" opening round win over the Dallas Mavericks in 7 games

#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. # 6 Phoenix Suns

This is easily the most heavily anticipated opening round series of the 2008 NBA Playoffs. The Spurs and Suns met in last year's Western Conference semis with San Antonio winning in 6 games. They may not have won that series had Amare Staudamire not been suspended for a game after leaving the bench in an altercation between Tim Duncan and Steve Nash. The Phoenix Suns proved they were out for revenge during the regular season with a 3-1 edge in the season series. They also proved they had no troubles winning on the road with a 96-79 statement win at San Antonio on April 9th less than two weeks ago. The trade for Shaq for Shawn Marion was solely to prepare the Suns to beat the Spurs in the Western Conference Playoffs. His impact on the inside has freed up Staudamire to run wild on opponents. He is a 30-10 machine while Shaq gets his 15-10 almost every game. This combo inside will be too much for Tim Duncan, Fabrecio Oberto and Kurt Thomas to handle inside over the course of a 7-game series. Phoenix wins in 6 games.

#4 Houston Rockets vs. #5 Utah Jazz

This is a rematch of last year's Jazz-Rockets opening round series where the home team won the first 6 games before Houston let Utah get the best of 'em in Game 7 despite playing at home. If Houston still had Yao Ming on their side they would be a heavy favorite in my eyes to win this series. But Dikembe Mutumbo won't be able to hold up in a 7-game series and he won't have to because there is no way this baby reaches a Game 7. Utah won the season series 2-1 including a 105-86 statement home win on April 14th just a few days ago. The Jazz own the league's best home record on the season and will not drop a single home game in this series. We have to think Utah is going to steal a road win at Houston along the way and come out victorious in Game 6 at home on May 2nd. Utah wins this series in 6 games.

Western Conference Semifinals Predictions:

#1 L.A. Lakers vs. #5 Utah Jazz

Now that we have the match-ups in the 2nd round set, we will give you are Western Conference semis and finals predictions. The #1 Lakers will face #5 Utah for a chance to go to the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers recently won at Utah for a rare home loss by the Jazz. L.A. will run away with this series because the Jazz don't have an answer for Pau Gasol or Kobe Bryant. A big key here will be Lamar Odom. Odom goes under the radar as one of the best defensive players in the league. He will shut down the Jazz' main threat in Carolos Boozer on the inside. Another key will be Derek Fisher vs. Deron Williams. After playing for the Jazz last season, Fisher knows what Williams likes to do. Fisher is also a premier defender on the perimeter and easily has the ability to contain Williams. So as you see the Lakers have the two best players for Utah contained while Kobe and Gasol run wild on offense with no answer from Utah.

#2 New Orleans Hornets vs. #6 Phoenix Suns

The New Orleans Hornets will be no match for the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Semifinals. Once again, Steve Kerr's decision to bring over Shaq from Miami will be a key in the Suns advancing to the Western Conference Finals. The Hornets have Tyson Chandler and David West to try and stop Staudamire and Shaq on the inside. This will simply be too tall of a task to ask of these two overmatched frontline players. Both are undersized and it will be apparent as the Suns run away with this series. Also, the guard play is about dead even with Nash, Hill, Bell and Barbosa vs. Paul, Stojakovic and company. This series is won in the paint. Phoenix wins in 5 games.

Western Conference Finals Predictions:

#1 L.A. Lakers vs. #6 Phoenix Suns

This is the series that most NBA fans are wanting to see and it's precisely what they are going to get. With as exciting as this season has been in the Western Conference, what better way to have it play out then Kobe vs. Shaq to reach the NBA Finals. The Lakers and Suns are the two strongest teams in the conference and it has shown with how each has played down the stretch of the regular season. The Lakers had to win 8 of their last 9 games to earn the #1 seed with crucial wins over the Mavs, Jazz and Hornets along the way. The Suns played just as good in their stretch run with a key win at San Antonio. Unlike the rest of the teams in the West, the Lakers have the ability to slow down Amare Staudamire and Shaq on the inside. Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom will match up very well against these two phenoms from Phoenix. Plus, Andrew Bynum should be back from his knee injury well before this series starts. Ronny Turiaf is a guy that can defend any big man in this league coming off the bench. He brings the energy that the Lakers feed off of on a nightly basis. The Lakers bench is much deeper than Phoenix and in a 7-game series this is will be crucial. When Kobe has gone to the bench to start the 4th quarter, the Lakers' bench players seem to only build on their leads during their 8 out of 9 games won to end the season. Staudamire and Shaq will do their damage, but it will be limited damage at that. Kobe is finally getting the help he needs to make the NBA Finals and his role players will get the job done just as Michael Jordan's role players did in Chicago. The Lakers win in 6 games to advance to the NBA Finals.

Eastern Conference Playoff Predictions:

#1 Boston Celtics vs. #8 Atlanta Hawks

This will be the most lobsided series in playoff history. If the regular season was any indication, the Atlanta Hawks know they have no chance coming in. Boston was 3-0 in three meetings with the Hawks during the regular season with double-digit victories each time. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are three veteran players that are hungry for an NBA Finals trophy. They get great play from their bench which has gone overlooked all season. Even with the Celtics' starters resting during the end of the season, the Celtics still managed to put away teams with their backup players getting the majority of the playing time. It's a waste of time to go into any further detail with this series because it's over before it even starts. The Celtics win in 4 games.

#2 Detroit Pistons vs. #7 Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers may give Detroit more troubles than they are looking for in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. If you look at all four of their regular season meetings you will see why. The Pistons and 76ers split their season series 2-2 with each team winning on the road once. Philadelphia has been one of the hottest teams in the second half of the years and both of their wins came in the 2nd half, winning at Detroit 83-82 and then winning at home on April 9th 101-94. The Pistons have to be worried heading into this series. All 4 games in the regular season were decided by 8 points or less. Philadelphia has the inside presence in Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert to give the Pistons' big men fits. The 76ers have the edge on the inside with Iguodala and Dalembert vs. Wallace and Maxwell. I believe that each team will steal a road win somewhere in this series and Philly will win Game 6 at home to force a Game 7. This is where experience will win and guards Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton will lead the Pistons to a Game 7 home victory. The Pistons win in 7 games.

#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Toronto Raptors

The Orlando Magic come into this series with a chip on their shoulders. Despite having a brilliant season and their best record since the Shaq-Penny era, the Magic have gone under the radar all year long. They will come into the postseason with the mentality that it's them vs. the world. Dwight Howard had 69 double-double's this season to set a franchise record, held by Shaquille O'Neal. The Raptors' strength is Chris Bosh on the inside, but he will be taken out by Howard's domination in this series. Orlando took 2 of 3 from the Raptors during the regular season. They are one of the best road teams in the league and will have no problem winning at Toronto. The Raptors will squeak out a close home win on either April 24th or April 26th. But the Magic will close this thing out at home in Game 5. Orlando wins this series in 5 games.

#4 Cleveland Cavs vs. #5 Washington Wizards

Gilbert Arenas has been talking smack as usual heading into this series saying that any team in the East would love to play the Cleveland Cavs right now. You wouldn't think he would be able to say these things due to the fact that Washington has been knocked out of the playoffs by Cleveland for 2 straight years. But Arenas really does have a point. Ever since making their blockbuster trade with Chicago and Seattle to bring over Ben Wallace and company, the Cleveland Cavs have been a mere .500 team. It's proving to be a terrible move in Cleveland and it will be verified when the Wizards stun the Cavs in 6 games. Washington is too explosive offensively and they will be able to defend a weaker Cavaliers in the 2008 NBA Playoffs. Cleveland isn't nearly as strong as they were last year because their role players are not getting the job done. Contrary to popular believe, Lebron James cannot win a series on his own. Washington wins this series in 6 games.

Eastern Conference Semifinals Predictions:

#1 Boston Celtics vs. #5 Washington Wizards

Washington has the tools to compete with Boston, but they don't have the experience, defense and determination in the long haul. The best way to beat the Celtics is to outscore them, which Washington is fully capable of. But the Celtics are the second best defensive team in the league. Boston has the perimeter defenders that can match the talented guards of Washington. They also have the players that have spent their whole careers falling short of the NBA Finals. Boston will not have a letdown in this series, although Washington will outscore the Celtics in one home game to pull out a victory. Washington will be too caught up in themselves after finally getting by the Cleveland Cavs in the opening round. They won't be nearly as focused as Boston here. The Celtics win this series in 5 games.

#2 Detroit Pistons vs. #3 Orlando Magic

I have a great feeling this series will go 7 games. Orlando will be a very tough out for the Pistons here and I find a hard time picking a winner. On one end, the Orlando Magic come in with a chip on their shoulder that you can't put a price tag to. On the other end, Detroit has fallen short of the NBA Finals since Flip Suanders has been the head coach there and players are dying to get him a ring. So the motivational factors for each team are right where they need to be with max focus on both ends. Now we have to look at match-ups. The Magic get a slight edge inside with Dwight Howard, but Rasheed Wallace, Jason Maxiell and Antonio McDeyess will be a very tough combo inside for the rest of the Magic defenders. This series will clearly be won by guard play. The Magic don't have a defensive answer for Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups both. Rashard Lewis will likely be stuck guarding Tayshaun Prince, which is a big key in this series. Prince and Lewis will give each other fits, as Billups and Hamilton win this series for the Pistons by exploiting their mismatches. The Pistons win in 7 games.

Eastern Conference Finals Predictions:

#1 Boston Celtics vs. #2 Detroit Pistons

With the way I have the Eastern Conference playoff race turning out, the edge clearly has to go to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. I have the Pistons playing two Game 7's which will make them battle tested, but it will also make the legs of these older players extremely tired heading into this series with Boston. The Celtics will breeze through their first two opponents in 9 games, while the Pistons will be playing 14 heading in. Boston might come out a bit rusty in Game 1 with all their time off, but they will have no problem winning this series in 6 games. As far as the starting 5 goes for each team it's pretty much neck and neck. Garnett matches up well with Wallace and Allen matches up well with Hamilton. Chauncey Billups will have the edge at point over Rando, but Paul Pierce will have a big edge no matter which defender he faces. A big factor here will be the bench play. Boston's bench has proven it can hold its own while Detroit's bench has been their dagger in recent seasons. Although the Pistons bench is better this season, it will be no match for what Boston's bench brings to the table. Detroit will have to rely on its bench much more this series than they would want to after using up a lot of energy to get through their first 2 rounds in the East. Boston wins this series in 6 games going away in Detroit.

2008 NBA Finals Predictions:

#1 L.A. Lakers vs. #1 Boston Celtics

This has been the most exciting NBA season in recent memory and we couldn't pick two more popular teams to finish up in the NBA Finals. This series between the Lakers and Celtics will stir up old memories of the Lakers-Celtics series back in the 1980's. This marks the first time in 20 years that the Lakers and Celtics finished with the #1 seeds in the Western and Eastern Conferences respectively. This series will be destined for a Game 7 with two evenly matched teams battling it out until the end. If it does go 7 games as I anticipate, the atmosphere in Boston will be too much for the Lakers to overcome. The Celtics have been the stronger team all year and they have feasted on Western Conference opponents far better than any other team from the East. Boston's Big 3 of Garnett, Allen and Pierce will finally get a taste of what it feels like to be World Champions while the Lakers and Kobe will have to wait another year to try and capture Bryant's 4th championship ring. The Celtics win the NBA Finals in 7 games.