NBA/NHL Second Round Playoff Picks

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

What a first round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Can’t say the same for the NBA.

Although the Bulls-Celtics series might have been the best I have ever seen, next to my Warriors defeating the Mavericks in the first round as a No. 8 seed in 2007, the NHL has just been better.

I was 4-for-4 in both league's Eastern Conference, picking the Cavs, Hawks, Celtics, Magic, Penguins, Bruins, Capitals, and Hurricanes to advance.

The Western Conference was a little harder for me, as I selected the Lakers, Blazers, Spurs, and Nuggets, as well as the Sharks, Red Wings, Flames, and Canucks. After 8-for-8 in the East, I went only 4-for-8 in the West.

What can I say? I’m an East Coast boy.

Here are my second round picks for the NBA.

Cavaliers over Hawks in six (previous pick was Cavs over Hawks)

I think the Hawks have matured and play great at home. They should be able to steal a game or two, but that's about it against the league's new MVP, LeBron James.

Magic over Celtics in seven (previous pick was Magic over Celtics)

If Kevin Garnett comes back from injury, I can see this going the other way for sure.

In fact, I’d pick the Celtics to play the Lakers in the finals again. But without KG, I just don’t see that next-generation All-Pro on the Celtics. We can make a case for Rajon Rondo, but he’s no Superman.

Dwight Howard leads his team past the defending champs.

Lakers over Rockets in six (previous pick was Lakers over Blazers)

Too much fire power on the Lakers. No experience past the first round on the Rockets.

This will lead to another early exit for Yao Ming and the Rockets. Down 1-0, Kobe will step his game up.

He isn’t one of the best player in the NBA for no reason.

Nuggets over Mavericks in five (previous pick was Nuggets over Spurs)

The Mavs should be able to steal a game at home, but the Nuggets are clicking on all cylinders. No one is going to stand in their way if they keep playing this way.

Question is: Can they keep it up?

Here are my picks for the later rounds:

Eastern Conference Finals: Cavaliers over Magic (same pick as before)

Western Conference Finals: Lakers over Nuggets (same pick as before)

NBA Finals: Lakers over Cavaliers (same pick as before)

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