Playoff predictions

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:

WEST - ROUND 1:

LAKERS v JAZZ
Nobody in the West has a chance against the Lakers, Kobe is hungry. Lakers in 5.

NUGGETS v HORNETS
Are the Nuggets actually good? Seems like they have a lot of potential head-cases. But the Hornets have NO ONE helping CP3. He might go 31-13-8 or something, but in a losing cause. Nuggets in 6.

SPURS v MAVS
Is TD healthy? Sad to see his body breaking down (contrast: so happy to see KG's breakdown!). I don't like Dirk, but I don't think the Spurs have enough (even with Tony Parker shredding J-Kidd). Mavs in 6.

BLAZERS v ROCKETS
Love the Blazers young core, thought they could make a run. Terrible match-up for them, Terrible! Battier and Artest will frustrate Roy, Yao can get his 22-10, Aldridge nullified by Landy/Scola. Hate to say it, but Rockets in 5.


EAST - ROUND 1:

CAVS v PISTONS
LeBrons in 4.

CELTICS v BULLS
Bulls in 6!! Bulls in 6!! (This is actually a legitimate choice now that KG is out for the playoffs!). BULLS IN 6!!!

MAGIC v SIXERS
Thanks to the 76ers for "earning" the 6 spot by losing 6 of their last 7. We get the KG-less Celtics and they get swept by the Magic. Magic in 4.

HAWKS v HEAT
D-Wade is good for a couple of games, but the Hawks have a legit scorer (Joe Johnson in case you forgot). Hawks in 6.



WEST - ROUND 2:
LAKERS v ROCKETS
Again, Battier and Artest can bother Kobe ... but the Lakers are DEEP. Pau has been great this year. Bynum is great on D. Lamar is great coming off the bench (and getting minutes with the first unit). Plus, remember what happened last time Artest tried to get in Kobe's head? Lakers in 5.


NUGGETS v MAVS
At this point, I cannot imagine why I picked the Mavs to be the Nuggets. For all the talk about how good the West is, this is the 2nd round match-up?? Nuggets in 6.


EAST - ROUND 2:
CAVS v HAWKS
LeBron is too much. Cavs in 5.

BULLS v MAGIC
The dream ends here. We need Hedo and Shard to stay hurt, and need to get D-Howard in foul trouble. If we steal an early game, we can make it a series ... but let's be happy with a first-round win over the defending Champs. Magic in 6.



WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS:
LAKERS v NUGGETS
Do I really have the Nuggets this far? Gross. Lakers in 4.


EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS:
CAVS v MAGIC
LeBron v Dwight. Not even close. Cavs in 5.


NBA FINALS:
LAKERS v CAVS
This is the match-up I picked pre-season, and I took the Lakers. I didn't consider the type of season LeBron would actually have. It's truly remarkable (scroll to the bottom). So I'm switching from my pre-season pick. Cavs in 6.