NBA Playoff Predictions: A Lakers-Celtics Final!?

This years' NBA playoffs are playing out to be one of most intriguing of the last five years.  Obviously, the first round is not complete yet, so I will write this prediction from the second round to the finals with who I think will make it out of the first round.

Eastern Conference

Celtics v. Cavs

Lots of matchup problems for the Cavs here, but one glaring matchup problem for the Celtics: Who guards LeBron? 

As of last night, Joe Johnson seems to be unstoppable, even against the best statistical defense in the NBA.  Johnson is the same type of athletic, dual threat player that LeBron is, except LeBron is much, much better.  I can't see James Posey (who seems to be doing the best job on Johnson) staying with LeBron's strength and quickness.  Ray Allen, the next candidate, can't defend anything right now.  It seems like LeBron is going to get his points in this series.

This would be a problem for the Celtics if not for the matchup problems that the Cavs are going to have against them.  Although Ben Wallace is a multi-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, he is not the man he was in those years.  I wouldn't want him guarding a KG who is hungrier than ever and who was finally woken up by the Hawks' two upsets.  Another matchup problem will be the Cavs' perimeter defense against the outside shooting of Ray Allen and company. 

Although I expect LeBron to keep the Cavs competitive, I think there are way too many problems for the Cavs against the Celtics defense and too much for LeBron to do by himself on offense.

Prediction: Celtics 4, Cavs 1

Pistons v. Magic

I am sure that I am not the only one who smell upset in this round.  Dwight Howard is reverting to his early-season form in these playoffs and is also beginning to establish himself as a beast amongst men.  He's going to be an impossible matchup for an undersized Pistons team. Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson have also been playing great basketball as of late.

The same cannot be said about the Pistons.  "Big Shot" Chauncy Billups hasn't been playing as clutch as his reputation expects of him.  Look for him and Rip Hamilton to have a better series than they are against the 76ers, but I don't think it's going to be enough to stop a red-hot Magic team.  The key is going to be how well Jason Maxiel and Rasheed Wallace can contain the inside presence of Dwight Howard.

Prediction: Magic 4, Pistons 3.

Celtics v. Magic

Horrible, horrible draw for the Magic here in their first Eastern Conference Finals.  Almost every matchup bodes well for the Celtics.  They have KG and Kendrick Perkins to be physical with Dwight Howard, and the defense of Rajon Rondo to keep Jameer Nelson in check.

Look for this to be an anti-climatic final.  The Celtics' Big Three want a championship too much to let a young Magic team come and spoil their season.

Prediction: Celtics 4, Magic 0

Western Conference

Lakers v. Jazz

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