The End is Near: NBA, NHL Predictions

Warning! The following column may not be suitable for sore losers, people who don't like prediction columns, and small children who pick up on everything you say. Parental discretion is advised.

This time next week, four teams will be gunning for two championships.

In the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs battle the Utah Jazz out West, while the Cleveland Cavaliers invade Motown to challenge the Detroit Pistons for the Eastern Conference crown.

In the NHL, meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators are twiddling their thumbs waiting for a Western Conference champ to emerge. The Anaheim Ducks take a 3-2 series lead into Game Six against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.

Here's how I see things shaking out.

NBA Western Conference Finals: San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz

 

The Spurs have been here before. After dispatching the Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Suns, San Antonio has a chance to make history again.

 

Standing in their way is a team that hasn't been this deep in the playoffs since most of us were in high school. As I said before: No Stockton. No Malone. No Problem.

 

The Utah Jazz sent the Houston Rockets packing in the first round (so long, Jeff Van Gundy) before ending the Golden State Warriors' Cinderella story. Carlos Boozer and Father of the Year Derek Fisher led Utah to their first Conference Finals in the post-Stockton/Malone Era.

 

The upset-minded Jazz will need their "A" Game to hang with San Antonio. Even with Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan taking things up a notch, the Spurs are in for a fight; the Jazz are undefeated at home during the playoffs.

 

After the way the Spurs-Suns series played out, don't expect this one to be anything other than a physical affair.

 

Prediction: Spurs in 7

 

 

Eastern Conference Finals: Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

 

Talk about Must-See TV.

 

Rasheed Wallace leads the confident Pistons against King James and the grown-up Cavaliers. The last time the Cavs went this far in the playoffs, the shorts were uncomfortable, Brad Daugherty was sporting a flattop, and everyone knew who Bobby Hurley was.

 

LeBron has the Cavs thinking upset, but Wallace has other plans. These two teams put on quite a show in last year's playoffs, and should pick up right where they left off.

 

The Pistons are riding high after a slugfest with the Bulls. The Cavs are walking tall after a shootout with New Jersey. James isn't hogging the spotlight; his supporting stars are doing their part. But so are the Pistons. The best thing is no one saw this series coming. The ending will surprise you too.

 

Prediction: Pistons in 7

 

NHL Stanley Cup Finals

 

On Saturday night, the Ottawa Senators finished off the Buffalo Sabres in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Western Conference is still up in the air, but the Ducks have the Red Wings on the brink.

 

To win, Anaheim will have to overcome both their critics and their history. They've been down this road before—but close-but-no-cigar doesn't work.

 

As for you Red Wings fans—don't fret. Detroit has come back from worse. Sorry, California...your disappointing year continues. The Trojans, Bruins, Clippers, Lakers, Warriors, and Sharks all fell after promising starts. The Ducks are next in line.

 

Prediction: Red Wings in 7

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