Out of the eight first round matchups, only the Pistons versus Bucks is appearing to be a boring no-brainer, as Ron Artest takes on the Spurs machine, the Bulls continue their hot streak versus the Heat and Kobe takes on the state of Arizona. Here is who we see advancing and why.
(1) Pistons vs. (8) Bucks
AP: The outcome of this series is obvious ? the Pistons will advance to play the winner of the Cleveland/Washington series. How many games will it take? The majority of the media is predicting a four-game sweep, but I think you have to give Milwaukee more credit than that. Not because they beat Detroit on April 17th, the game meant nothing to the Pistons, but because even though they fell to the Pistons three times they played tough each time.
Pistons in five
(2) Heat vs. (7) Bulls
The Bulls are probably the last team Miami wanted to see fly into South Beach for a first round match-up. Chicago has been playing postseason-like basketball as of late, coming into the play-offs with a league-best six game winning streak, and has the experience from last years? intense series versus the Wizards. Too bad Miami has the two best players in the series, Shaq and D-Wade, who will make all the difference.
Heat in six
(3) Nets vs. (6) Pacers
Depending on which Indiana team shows up this could be a very interesting series. If the team that beat the Nets twice this season show ups, they could be looking at their second straight first round upset. However, there?s also the team that was beaten by the Hawks four times this season. This series could be very short, or quite long. It all depends on how well the Pacers buy into Rick Carlisle playoff adjustments.
Nets in six
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Wizards
This will be the most entertaining series in the Eastern Conference?s first round. Everyone is anxious to see how LeBron will perform in the playoffs, and how well he?s recovered from his recently-twisted ankle. Washington has a playoff series win under their belt, and a proven postseason performer in Gilbert Arenas. The outcome of the series will depend on how much help LeBron gets from the rest of the Cavaliers.
Cavaliers in seven
(1) Spurs vs. (8) Kings
If any team in the playoffs isn?t scared about a first round match-up with the surging Sacramento Kings, it?s the defending champion Spurs. Bruce Bowen, San Antonio?s version of Ron Artest minus the personality and offensive game, will try to put the clamp on the catalyst of the Kings recent success. If Artest stays sane over the next few years this could be the start of an intriguing rivalry. Not the easiest win for a number one seed, but the Spurs shouldn?t struggle too much, and advance to the second round.
Spurs in six
(2) Suns vs. (7) Lakers
I think some people are forgetting that this series is Phoenix against Los Angeles, not Phoenix against Kobe. Even if Kobe scores fifty a night, it?ll still take a strong effort from his supporting cast to beat Steve Nash and the Suns. Kobe will need Lamar Odom to put up triple-double like numbers. The Suns may be without Amare Stoudamire, but they won fifty-four games without him, and a strong playoff run is still a definite possibility.
Suns in five
(3) Nuggets vs. (6) Clippers
With two chances, can the city of Los Angeles get a team into the second round? The Clippers give L.A. a much better chance, especially against the third-seed-by-default Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets may have the most exciting player in Carmelo Anthony, but the Clippers have the best in Elton Brand. Mike Dunleavy and co. can officially supersede the Lakers as Hollywood?s best team.
Clippers in six
(4) Mavericks vs. (5) Grizzles
The Mavericks are a different team this year and Pau Gasol?s sore left foot could make this a short series. Don?t get me wrong, the Grizzles are a very talented team, but Avery Johnson finally has Dallas buying into a defensive philosophy. The number of players that Memphis has to guard Dirk is equal to their number of franchise postseason victories, zero. Things will get interesting when Dallas meets San Antonio in the second round.
Dallas in five
Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com