NBA Playoffs: First Round, Break It Down

I plan on allowing the world to know my own projections for the NBA Playoffs, starting with the Conference Quarterfinals.

First of all, I have a question, and it may only apply to the Game 1's of this series: How did it come about that the 4 most compelling series of this 1st round all fall on Saturday? The Sunday games are merely the three least interesting Eastern Conference series and the least interesting Western Conference series (Lakers-Nuggets).  

Sorry for that digression.  Here are my predictions for the 1st round of the Playoffs:

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston Celtics [66-16] vs (8) Atlanta Hawks [37-45]

There's nothing like every year's Eastern Conference 8th seed.  It seems like they always are below .500.  While it's good to see the Hawks back in the Playoffs, it's hard to say they really had a successful year with that record.  Ultimately, acquiring Mike Bibby probably put this Hawks squad over the hump, although they struggled at first.  I think with the acquisition of Mike Bibby, his leadership will help the athletic talent that the Hawks possess (i.e. Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Al Horford) to bust out one win aganist this 66-win Boston Celtics squad.  That being said, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if this is a mere sweep by the Celtics.

Celtics in 5 

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers [45-37] vs (5) Washington Wizards [43-39]

I don't know if the Wizards have what it takes to win this series.  Arenas has not been back for very long, but it sure does help to have him back.  The Wizards improved immensely defensively this season, if anyone noticed, giving up 99 ppg, which is actually respectable in this league now.  That being said, Gilbert Arenas is one of the worst "guaranteers" of wins in this league.  While I find Arenas to be hilarious and entertaining, it seems like his personality is recipe for a Lebron James finding all the motivation he can get to carry his team to a series victory.  

With all those thoughts, I still like the Wizards in this series, winning Game 7 in Cleveland in front of the Lake Erie faithful.  Their commitment to defense this year is the reason why they finished above .500, and I think that improvement will show in the playoffs.  

Wizards in 7 

(2) Detroit Pistons [58-24] vs (7) Philadelphia 76ers [40-42] 

The Sixers have been a team emerging without really anyone on the roster.  It is quite amazing that they pulled off 40 wins this season.  I tip my hat to Maurice Cheeks for getting the most out of the talent on that team currently.  It's truly remarkable.  

That being said, Detroit is better this year than the past years, in my opinion.  I think they have an edge this year that could see them headed to the Finals.  Detroit has a chance to sweep this series, but like the Hawks, I see the Sixers taking 1 from the Pistons in Philly.

Pistons in 5 

(3) Orlando Magic [52-30] vs (6) Toronto Raptors [41-41]

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