Eastern Conference

1. Miami Heat vs. 8. New Jersey Nets

With Cleveland set to take the 8th seed, a prompt sweep was on the horizon for the Miami Heat, but with Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and the New Jersey Nets stealing LeBron James? flight, Stan Van Gundy will have a little more to prepare for in the 1st round.

Carter will average 35-40 points per game, as the Heat have absolutely nobody that can properly guard him and if Richard Jefferson is able to play at all, he will pose yet another match-up problem.

But even if Shaquille O?Neal is at 50%, the Heat should have few problems controlling the series.  Nenad Kristic, Jason Collins and Clifford Robinson will have their hands full with Shaq, which will open things up for Dwyane Wade, Damon Jones and Eddie Jones on the perimeter as their defenders double him.

Another factor might be Brian Scalabrine, who came up huge last season versus the Detroit Pistons.

Prediction: Heat in 5

2. Detroit Pistons vs. 7. Philadelphia 76ers
The Pistons are playing as well as they did this time last season and that means a quick series versus Larry Brown?s old team.

There are a few nagging injuries hampering the Pistons, but they have too much depth against a team like Philadelphia.  

A sweep is very possible, but Allen Iverson will likely steal one game, as he did in the NBA Finals.

Prediction: Pistons in 5

3. Boston Celtics vs. 6. Indiana Pacers
When Antoine Walker rejoined the Celtics they looked like an East powerhouse, but they now they stumble into the playoffs.  Home court advantage will give them their best shot, as Paul Pierce, Gary Payton and Walker will feed off the Boston crowd.

But with Jermaine O?Neal back and Reggie Miller literally playing each game as it might be his last, coupled with the strong play of Anthony Johnson, the Pacers should be the favorites.

This season couldn?t be complete without the Pacers and Pistons facing in the playoffs.

Prediction: Pacers in 6

4. Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Wizards

If the Bulls didn?t lose Eddy Curry and Luol Deng, then they would undoubtedly have controlled this series, but with so many unknowns in Chicago, this might be the most difficult series to gauge.

Neither team has much playoff experience outside of Antonio Davis, but both teams are filled with players who excelled in the Final Four during their days in college.  Two such players are Gilbert Arenas and Ben Gordon and during each and every 4th quarter of this series, both of these 6-3 guards will carry their team on their back.  Gordon has been the biggest 4th quarter star all season long and Arenas thrives on making the big shot.

The difference makers will be how Larry Hughes and Kirk Hinrich perform.  Both guards have the capability of taking over a game, yet also can ruin a team?s rhythm.

Prediction: Bulls in 7

Western Conference

1. Phoenix Suns vs. 8. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are another team that are stumbling into the playoffs.  They are a far deeper team than the Phoenix Suns and actually match up well with them, but there is way too much fire power in the land of the rising sun.

Jason Williams is capable of matching Steve Nash, Bonzi Wells can run with Joe Johnson, Mike Miller with Quentin Richardson, Pau Gasol with Shawn Marion and Stromile Swift with Amare Stoudemire.  The problem with all this is each player is not as good as their Suns counterpart.

The only chance the Grizzlies have is to wear down the Suns, but that means getting into an up and down game, which Phoenix thrives on.

Prediction: Suns in 4

2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 7. Denver Nuggets

This series is the toughest to gauge in the Western Conference.  Denver has been the NBA?s best team in the 2nd half of the year and San Antonio has been holding on due to the injury of Tim Duncan, but the NBA?s most consistently great player is back.

Denver?s a loose team with unpredictable young talent, while San Antonio is full of consummate professionals.

San Antonio has a big edge in the backcourt with Parker and Manu, though Denver?s Earl Boykins can come off the bench and take over a game in such a unique way.

The trio of KMart, Camby and Nene will give Duncan fits.

The difference maker will be Carmelo Anthony.  If he is consistent and shoots at least 45% from the field, then Denver will be in every single game.

Another factor is the thin air in Denver.  If the Nuggets could steal one of the first two games in San Antonio, the Spurs will have little margin of error on the road.

Prediction: Spurs in 6

3. Seattle SuperSonics vs. 6. Sacramento Kings

This Kings team is so new and have endured so many injuries, it is nearly impossible to predict what kind of team they actually have.  And speaking of injuries, Seattle?s second half has been riddled with injuries to key players.

The Sonics MVP is Rashard Lewis and if he is at full strength, there is nobody on the Kings? roster that can contain him.  Throw in Jesus Shuttlesworth, Broadyway Vlad, Ridnour, Daniels and if necessary Flip Murray, the Sonics have too much talent.

Prediction: Sonics in 5

4. Mavericks vs. 5. Rockets

This clash of Texan rivals will be the best series in the first round of the playoffs.  

Jeff Van Gundy will try to play low-possession basketball and Avery Johnson is stressing defense unlike the Don Nelson days, so he will be obliged to avoid shootouts, but you know McGrady and Dirk will do what they can to bring it on.  Dirk and TMac have already gone toe to toe in a scoring duel.  

Yao Ming will take his game up a notch that we have yet to see.  He will be fiery and Dampier will be unable to match him.

Prediction: Rockets in 7