2008-09 NBA Playoff Predictions: How the Lakers Will Win the NBA Title

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

FIRST ROUND

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Cleveland Cavaliers (1) over Detroit Pistons (8) 4-0:  Joe "Teflon" Dumars took a gamble clearing Chauncey Billups' contract in exchange for Allen Iverson.  Iverson proved to be a dud, Michael Curry made some boneheaded moves, and Rip Hamilton got hurt.  Oh well.  The Pistons are in excellent position to retool over the next two seasons and seriously contend for a title as soon as 2010-2011.  For now, they're without a pulse.  The Cavs will win this series walking.

Boston Celtics (2) over Chicago Bulls (7) 4-2:  I wouldn't totally be surprised if this series went to seven games.  The Celtics are much better than the often confused-looking Bulls, but certainly losing Kevin Garnett will affect their morale.  At the end of the day, Paul Pierce will be the best player on the court and, if his play the past month—as well as in last season's Finals—is any indicator, the Bulls don't stand a chance.  They'll make it closer than it should be, but Boston will move on.

Orlando Magic (3) over Philadelphia 76ers (6) 4-0:  What a boring series.  Really.  Samuel Dalembert isn't 100 percent, and even if he were, it wouldn't matter.  I like how Andre Iguodala has matured this season.  But the Sixers just don't have enough to hang with Orlando.

Atlanta Hawks (4) over Miami Heat (5) 4-2:  What Dwyane Wade did this season was out of this world—the Heat made a 28-win improvement—but the playoffs are an entirely different monster.  I can't put my money on a team that features a collection of rookies—including one at point (Mario Chalmers)—especially when its best players (Wade, O'Neal, Haslem, and Moon) are currently banged up.  The Hawks are 100 percent healthy and should take this series.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Los Angeles Lakers (1) over Utah Jazz (8) 4-1:  I'd feel differently if the Jazz had home court advantage.  But the reality is, they are atrocious on the road, where they are 32-50 over the past two seasons.  I think they'll win a crowd-inspired Game 3 at home before bowing out.

New Orleans Hornets (7) over Denver Nuggets (2) 4-3:  This will be a tough, ugly series that could involve a fight or two.  Both teams are evenly matched, so I'm giving the nod to the Hornets because Chris Paul will be the best player on the court.  David West is no joke and should match Carmelo Anthony's offensive production.  The keys will be how Tyson Chandler defends the middle and whether or not Peja Stojakovic gets hot.  Let us not forget James Posey either.

San Antonio Spurs (3) over Dallas Mavericks (6) 4-2:  Dallas has been playing its best basketball of the season over the past month.  Manu Ginobili is out of the picture.  Still, the Mavericks have no answer for both Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.  Parker alone could average 30-plus points per game this series.  And we all know, for as good as he is, Dirk Nowitzki remains gutless when it matters most.

Houston Rockets (5) over Portland Trail Blazers (4) 4-3:  I know everyone is talking up the Blazers as this playoffs' sleeper, but the reality is they lack the experience to contend with the veteran-led Rockets.  Outside of Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers don't have much scoring punch.  And you can count on Ron Artest and Shane Battier severely limiting those guys.  Yao Ming will be the difference-maker in the end in what will be a tough, close series. 

SEMIFINALS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Cleveland Cavaliers (1) over Atlanta Hawks (4) 4-2

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