NBA Playoff Schedule: Top Seeds Who'll Embarrass Lesser Foes

When the NBA Playoffs start, there are some matchups on the schedule that will be over before the games even start.

The NBA is lopsided. There is no parity any more.

We know who the top teams are going to be before the season even begins, and once the playoffs begin, we can nail down the final four teams with frightening accuracy.

This year will be no different, and there are a few top seeds who will embarrass their opponents in five games or less.

Chicago Bulls (1) Will Sweep the Philadelphia 76ers (8)

The Bulls should frighten every team in the Eastern Conference. They won a ton of games this year without the benefit of their MVP Derrick Rose, who has been fighting through numerous nagging injuries all year long.

Now that Rose is finally getting healthier, they are set to make a strong push for the NBA Finals.

In his absence, the team has gotten stronger. Luol Deng—who has always been a strong player for the Bulls—has emerged as a leader on the court and has raised his play to a whole other level. 

Rose's injuries have also allowed C.J. Wilson to develop into a player who would start for many other teams at the point-guard position.

The 76ers don't have anyone on their roster who is capable of taking over a game if the rest of the team struggles, and I expect them to have trouble scoring against the tough Bulls' defense.

This series is going to be a bloodbath, and the Bulls will likely be afforded an extended break after they crush the 76ers and have to wait for their next opponent.

San Antonio Spurs (1) Will Win in Five Against the Utah Jazz (8)

Is it just me, or does Tim Duncan look the same today as he did 10 years ago? At 36 years young, the former Wake Forest star will go down as one of the all-time NBA greats.

He isn't the best player on the court for the Spurs any more, though. That honor now lies on the head of Tony Parker, who is having a phenomenal year—putting up almost 19 points while dishing just under eight assists per game.

He is joined by Manu Ginobili and Duncan to make a formidable Big Three. 

The best part of the Spurs team is their bench, though, and they have six players on their roster currently averaging between nine and 10 points per game—too many weapons for the Jazz to overcome.

The strength of the Jazz this year has been their interior guys: Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap have been excellent scorers during the regular season.

They'll find their path to success stymied by Duncan and Boris Diaw, and I don't expect the Jazz to be able to score enough points to stay with the Spurs in this series.

Los Angeles Lakers (3) Will Win in Five Against the Denver Nuggets (6)

Even without Metta World Peace, the Lakers won't have any problem mopping the floor with the Nuggets. 

Matt Barnes is also questionable to start the series and isn't traveling with the team to Sacramento due to an ankle injury (H/T ESPN). 

No matter. The Lakers will win in five games.

They still have Kobe Bryant, last I heard. As long as he's on the court with Ramon Sessions, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, the Lakers will win handily.

The Nuggets have six players who average double-digit point totals on a nightly basis, but they don't have anyone on their roster who can put up points like Bryant.

The Black Mamba will come out and establish his dominance early and often against Arron Afflalo, and the Lakers will move on to the second round with ease.

Follow @JesseReed78