The Official NBA Playoff Predictions: Round Two

After breaking down the first round of the NBA playoffs for both the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference, I have decided to proceed to the second round.

The Beasts in the East

No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers Vs No. 4 seed Atlanta Hawks

After serious thought, I changed my Hawks-Heat pick to the Hawks winning it in seven games. The Hawks have too many weapons to lose to Dwyane Wade and...himself.

This second-round battle will take no more than five games for the Cavaliers to capture their second playoff series victory in a row.

The first two games will be faced in Cleveland, where the Cavs put up an outstanding 39-2 record during the NBA '08-09 season (tied for second best in NBA history.)

The Hawks will face two quick loses in Cleveland to start off the series. Heading back to Atlanta, the Hawks will have a great opportunity to win at least one game.

Cleveland wins this series in five games, plain and simple.

No. 2 seed Boston Celtics vs No. 3 seed Orlando Magic

After suffering the loss in Kevin Garnett for the entire postseason, the defending champions will triumph over the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs in five games.

Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic will battle against Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs. Without Garnett, the Celtics must put up a serious fight in order to surpass the Magic.

Regardless of how tough and physically the Celtics play, Orlando will come out victorious in six games.

Dwight Howard is virtually unstoppable on both ends of the floor and will have an immense impact in this series.

Going into Boston, the Magic will pull out a road victory (27-14 on the season, tied for second best in the NBA.) They will then go on to dominate both games at home, and end the series in Orlando during game six.

The Best in the West

No. 1 seed Los Angeles Lakers Vs No. 4 seed Portland Trail Blazers

After an easy five game first round victory to the Utah Jazz, the Los Angeles Lakers will battle against one of their biggest nightmares on the season—the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Lakers hold a record of 2-2 against the Blazers this season, with two wins at home and two loses at Portland.

Although this may seem like a big deal and a sense of hope for Blazers fans, they clearly do not know what is coming to them come the second round of the playoffs.

L.A is a completely different team come playoff time. They switch gears from their normal cruise control mode on the season, to do not face us in any round of the playoffs mode.

This series will surely be an exciting one—just do not expect too much from Portland, Blazer fans.

Lakers will finish this series in five games, done deal.

No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets Vs No. 3 seed San Antonio Spurs

After a five-game series victory against the New Orleans Hornets, Carmelo Anthony and Co. will face up against the deadly San Antonio Spurs.

I select this match-up to be one of the best series in the entire NBA '08-09 Playoffs.

Without their shooting-guard Manu Ginobili, the entire Spurs roster will really have to step up their production... but do not get too excited Nuggets fans, Spurs head-coach Gregg Popovich knows exactly what he is doing.

For those of you who are not too clear on Gregg Popovich, he is a pure genius to put at best. Pop is well-known for coming up with the perfect play at any given time throughout a basketball game. It seems like he always has a plan in the back of his head (or maybe in his beard) on how to win any critical game.

If I was Denver, I would really be afraid to face up against the San Antonio Spurs. I see this series going to an intense game seven and Pop and the Spurs coming out as the winners.

Check back in a few days for the Official NBA Playoff Predictions: Conference Finals Match-Ups.

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