2010-2011 NBA Season: Playoff Predictions and Award Winners

With the NBA regular season just around the corner, it's about that time to make my predictions. Here goes nothing. 

Eastern Conference Playoffs:

1. Miami Heat vs. 8. Charlotte Bobcats: The Heat dominate this series as the Bobcats get swept for the second straight season in the first round of the playoffs. 4-0 Heat.

4. Chicago Bulls vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks: One of the best match ups in the first round, both teams loaded with depth. The Bulls take it. 4-2 Bulls. 

3. Boston Celtics vs. 6. Milwaukee Bucks: The Celtics always show up come playoff time, but the Bucks will give them a scare. 4-2 Celtics. 

2. Orlando Magic vs. 7. New York Knicks The Magic have no problem with the Knicks, coasting to the second round. 4-1 Magic. 

Eastern Conference Semi Finals

1. Miami Heat vs. 4. Chicago Bulls: The Heat will be tested in the second round by Derrick Rose and the feisty Bulls, but will eventually prevail in seven. 4-3 Heat. 

2. Orlando Magic vs. 3. Boston Celtics: I love what the Celtics did last season, but don't count out the Magic. They will get their revenge on the Celtics. 4-2 Magic

Eastern Conference Finals:

1. Miami Heat vs. 2. Orlando Magic: This is the Heat's chance to show that the Eastern conference is theirs. LeBron, Wade, and Bosh are a little too much for the Magic, as they are sent home in the Eastern conference finals for the second straight season. 4-2 Heat. 

Western Conference Playoffs:

1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets: The Lakers are too much for the Rockets in this series as they move one step close to a three peat. 4-1 Lakers

4. Utah Jazz vs. 5. Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder will be scary this season, and Kevin Durant will carry them to their first playoff win in franchise history. 4-3 Thunder

3. Portland Trailblazers vs. 6. Phoenix Suns: The Suns will bring the energy, but Portland has too much depth for the Suns. The Blazers advance. 4-2 Trailblazers

2. Dallas Mavericks vs. 7. San Antonio Spurs. A playoff rematch from a season ago, and the Mavericks want revenge on the Spurs. The Mavericks win it. 4-2 Mavericks

Western Conference Semi Finals

1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 5 Oklahoma City Thunder: Last season the Thunder gave the Lakers a huge scare in the first round, and they meet again, this time in the second round. Different year, same result. 4-2 Lakers.

2. Dallas Mavericks vs. 3. Portland Trailblazers. The Mavericks are a playoff disappointment every season, and this year will be no different. The Blazers advance to the Western conference finals. 4-2 Trailblazers

Western Conference Finals:

1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 3. Portland Trailblazers. The Lakers are pushed by the Blazers, but are too much them in the end. 4-2 Lakers.

NBA Championship:

Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron and Wade reach the finals for the second time in their NBA careers, while Kobe is going for his sixth NBA title. The Lakers got even better from last season, and they complete the three peat, sending Phil Jackson out on top. 4-2 Lakers. 

Awards:

MVP: Kevin Durant

Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin

Most Improved Player: Roy Hibbert

Defensive Player: Dwight Howard

Sixth Man of the Year: Jamal Crawford

Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau