Eastern Conference
Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia 76ers
Season Series: Chicago Bulls 2 – 1
Chicago Bulls in 5
Reason: The Chicago Bulls are a very dominant team and the best in the NBA right now. Philadelphia has played well at times this year, while at other times not so well. If Philadelphia puts it together and plays well, they could make this series interesting, but it will not be enough to overcome the Bulls.
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks
Season Series: Miami Heat 2 – 0
Miami Heat in 5
Reason: The Heat are a better team than the Knicks. The Knicks like Philadelphia have played well at times, but have not been able to keep the consistency all season. The Knicks could make this series interesting, but it is unlikely. The Knicks also failed to reach 90 points in either game against the Heat. They will need to do much better on offense if they plan to win games in this series.
Indiana Pacers vs Orlando Magic
Season Series: Orlando Magic 3 – 1
Orlando Magic in 6
Reason: The Magic have consistently beat the Pacers all season, despite the Pacers holding a better record, the Magic should pull off the upset here. Both teams will play hard and well. This should be an interesting series, but Dwight Howard will make the difference.
Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks
Season Series: Boston Celtics 2 – 1
Atlanta Hawks in 7
Reason: Atlanta has actually posted a better record over the season than Boston, and did it in a more difficult division. Though Boston won the season series, the playoffs are a different story and each series is a new season. This will be a close series, but the Hawks will prevail.
Western Conference
San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz
Season Series: San Antonio Spurs 2 – 1
San Antonio Spurs in 5
Reason: The Spurs are a much better team than the Jazz and have tied Chicago for the best record this season. This makes them the favorite for a reason. This series could get interesting if the Jazz can pull together a win in San Antonio before the series heads to Utah. Going to Utah tied or with a two game lead could provide enough of a boost for an upset.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks
Season Series: Oklahoma City Thunder 3 – 1
Oklahoma City Thunder in 7
Reason: The Thunder have a difficult match up with the Mavericks, the defending World Champions, and the possibility against the current World champion always provides the chance of an upset. The Thunder are the better team and have beaten the Mavericks all year, and in this new seven game season the Thunder will continue to beat the Mavericks.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets
Season Series: Los Angeles Lakers 3 – 1
Los Angeles Lakers in 5
Reason: The Lakers play extremely well in the playoffs and Kobe Bryant will provide leadership to the team. The Lakers have played a bit inconsistent this season, and if that happens in these playoffs, they could lose. Denver should play the Lakers well, but they do not have much of a chance against the age and experience of the Lakers. The longer this series goes the better the chances of an upset for the Nuggets, but that is unlikely.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Clippers
Season Series: Los Angeles Clippers 2 – 1
Memphis Grizzlies in 7
Reason: The Grizzlies enter the playoffs coming off a six game win streak, although that will not help them here. The fact that they have been playing well and winning gives them the confidence they will need to defeat the Clippers. The Clippers have played brilliantly at times and should make this a great series, but come up short in the end.
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