WEST
Lakers over Nuggets in 6
Mavericks over Hornets in 6
Spurs over Suns in 7
Rockets over Jazz in 7

EAST
Celtics over Hawks in 5
Pistons over 76ers in 5
Magic over Raptors in 6
Cavaliers over Wizards in 7

WEST
Lakers over Nuggets in 5
Hornets over Mavericks in 7
Suns over Spurs in 7
Rockets over Jazz in 6

EAST
Celtics over Hawks in 4
Pistons over 76ers in 5
Magic over Raptors in 6
Wizards over Cavaliers in 7

WEST
Lakers in 5
Mavs in 6
Spurs in 7
Rockets in 7

EAST
Celtics in 4
Pistons in 5
Magic in 6
Cavs in 7

This is probably the most excited I've ever been for the playoffs. It's just a shame that Suns/Spurs series has to be in the first round.

At least the Lakers and Suns are set up for the WCF if they get that far, though. That would be amazing. That series and a finals with Boston against either after it would make the NBA big again.

Definitely. As much as I think it may happen, the Spurs going back to the finals would be bad for the league.

Final predictions

EAST
Boston over Atlanta in 4
Detroit over Philly in 5
Magic over Toronto in 5
Cavs over Wizards in 6

WEST
Lakers over Nuggets in 4
Mavs over Hornets in 7
Spurs over Suns in 6
Houston over Utah in 7

I'm really torn over the Hou/Utah series, but despite all of Houston's problems (no Yao, never winning a playoff series in years), the fact that Houston has homecourt advantage makes me believe they'll beat the Jazz, who suck on the road. The Mavs and Hornets is the only other toughie... the rest seem pretty obvious on paper.

Ultimately I'm hoping for a Pistons vs. Celtics ECF and a Lakers vs. Suns WCF, with the Pistons meeting either of those in the finals.... but, I'd probably lean toward wanting the Lakers. A good old fashioned Detroit vs. LA series would be fine by me!

I don't see anyway that Celtics/Hawks series isn't only a sweep, but the Celts win by about 15-20 points every game. The Hawks have got to be one of the worst playoff teams of all time.

I think a Lakers/Suns WCF and a Pistons/Celtics ECF would be a dream come true for the NBA. No matter who wins, it'd be an epic finals.

I would guess that the league would have to lean toward wanting a Boston vs. LA series... I doubt any of the other combos would create as good of ratings as that. But, I think the league will be happy as long as it isn't Spurs vs. Anybody.

How about Spurs vs. Orlando? I doubt that I'd even watch that one.

Here goes nothing. (Updated)

EAST

Quarterfinals
(1) Celtics vs. (8) Hawks - Celtics in 4
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Wizards - Wizards in 6
(3) Magic vs. (6) Raptors - Magic in 5
(2) Pistons vs. (7) 76ers - Pistons in 5

Semi-Finals
(1) Celtics vs. (5) Wizards - Celtics in 6
(2) Pistons vs. (3) Magic - Pistons in 6

Finals
(1) Celtics vs. (2) Pistons - Celtics in 7

WEST

Quarterfinals
(1) Lakers vs. (8) Nuggets - Lakers in 5
(4) Jazz vs. (5) Rockets - Rockets in 7
(3) Spurs vs. (6) Suns - Spurs in 7
(2) Hornets vs. (7) Mavericks - Mavericks in 7

Semi-Finals
(1) Lakers vs. (5) Rockets - Lakers in 6
(3) Spurs vs. (7) Mavericks - Spurs in 6

Finals
(1) Lakers vs. (7) Spurs - Lakers in 6




(1) Boston Celtics vs. (1) Los Angeles Lakers - Boston Celtics in 6

I'll take it the whole way, too..

Round 1
WEST
Lakers in 5
Mavs in 6
Spurs in 7
Rockets in 7

EAST
Celtics in 4
Pistons in 5
Magic in 6
Cavs in 7

Round 2
WEST
Lakers over Rockets in 5
Spurs over Mavs in 5

EAST
Celtics over Cavs in 6
Pistons over Magic in 5

Conference Finals
WEST
Lakers over Spurs in 7

EAST
Celtics over Pistons in 6

NBA Finals
Celtics over Lakers in 7

So yeah, I don't really see any of the rounds living up to the first, except maybe the finals.

EAST

Quarterfinals
(1) Celtics vs. (8) Hawks - Celtics in 4
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Wizards - Wizards in 7
(3) Magic vs. (6) Raptors - Magic in 5
(2) Pistons vs. (7) 76ers - Pistons in 4

Semi-Finals
(1) Celtics vs. (5) Wizards - Celtics in 6
(2) Pistons vs. (3) Magic - Pistons in 5

Finals
(1) Celtics vs. (2) Pistons - Pistons in 6

WEST

Quarterfinals
(1) Lakers vs. (8) Nuggets - Lakers in 5
(4) Jazz vs. (5) Rockets - Jazz in 5
(3) Spurs vs. (6) Suns - Spurs in 6
(2) Hornets vs. (7) Mavericks - Mavericks in 7

Semi-Finals
(1) Lakers vs. (4) Utah - Utah in 7
(3) Spurs vs. (7) Mavericks - Spurs in 6

Finals
(3) Spurs vs. (4) Jazz - Spurs in 6

Finals: Spurs vs Pistons - Spurs in 7

I'd actually like that finals.

I'll go full

First round
Boston Celtics in 4 games
Detroit Pistons in 5 games
Orlando Magic in 6 games
Washington Wizards in 6 games

Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games
Dallas Mavericks in 7 games
Phoenix Suns in 7 games
Utah Jazz in 6 games

Second round
Washington Wizards in 6 games
Detroit Pistons in 6 games

Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games
Dallas Mavericks in 7 games

Third round
Detroit Pistons in 6 games
Los Angeles Lakers in 7 games

Finals
Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games

There's something too obvious about Lakers-Suns and Boston-Detroit as a final 4 and Boston-LA as the final 2(just like Dallas-Detroit or San Antonio-Detroit the last couple years), and it'd be too much of a gift for us. So I decided to go nutty and say Washington spoils the Boston party in the 2nd round and Dirktown spoils the Lakers and Suns, goes up 10 in the 4th of game 7 in the WCF, then watches Kobe win the game by himself. Kobe goes off to the 'ship, Dirk decides to spend his summer in Thailand instead of Australia this time. I'll probably regret it, but I'm usually wrong anyways, so I'm used to it.

Here are the schedules for each series.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks
Game 1 - Sun. April 20 at Boston, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 2 - Wed. April 23 at Boston, 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3 - Sat. April 26 at Atlanta, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4 - Mon. April 28 at Atlanta, 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5* - Wed. April 30 at Boston, TBD (TBD)
Game 6* - Fri. May 2 at Atlanta, TBD (TBD)
Game 7* - Sun. May 4 at Boston, TBD (TBD)
* If Necessary

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Washington Wizards
Game 1 - Sat. Apr. 19 at Cleveland, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 2 - Mon. Apr. 21 at Cleveland, 7 p.m. (TNT)
Game 3 - Thu. Apr. 24 at Washington, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Game 4 - Sun. Apr. 27 at Washington, 1 p.m. (ABC)
Game 5* - Wed. Apr. 30 at Cleveland, TBD (TBD)
Game 6* - Fri. May 2 at Washington, TBD (TBD)
Game 7* - Sun. May 4 at Cleveland, TBD (TBD)
* If Necessary

(3) Orlando Magic vs. (6) Toronto Raptors
Game 1 - Sun. April 20: at Orlando, 12:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 2 - Tue. April 22: at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV)
Game 3 - Thu. April 24: at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV)
Game 4 - Sat. April 26: at Toronto, 3 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5* - Mon. April 28: at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV)
Game 6* - Thu. May 1: at Toronto, TBD (TBD)
Game 7* - Sat. May 3: at Orlando, TBD (TNT)
* If Necessary

(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
Game 1 - Sun. April 20: at Detroit, 6 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 2 - Wed. April 23: at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV)
Game 3 - Fri. April 25: at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Game 4 - Sun. April 27: at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5* - Tue. April 29: at Detroit, TBD (TBD)
Game 6* - Thu. May 1: at Philadelphia, TBD (TBD)
Game 7* - Sat. May 3: at Detroit, TBD (TNT)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Denver Nuggets
Game 1 - Sun. April 20: at L.A. 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 2 - Wed. April 23: at L.A. 10:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3 - Sat. April 26: at Denver, 5:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4 - Mon. April 28: at Denver, 10:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5* - Wed. April 30: at L.A., TBD (TBD)
Game 6* - Fri. May 2: at Denver, TBD (TBD)
Game 7* - Sun. May 4: at L.A., TBD (TBD)
* If Necessary

(4) Utah Jazz vs. (5) Houston Rockets
Game 1 - Sat. April 19: at Houston, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 2 - Mon. April 21: at Houston, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3 - Thu. April 24: at Utah, 10:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4 - Sat. April 26: at Utah, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 5* - Tue. April 29: at Houston, TBD (TBD)
Game 6* - Fri. May 2: at Utah, TBD (TBD)
Game 7* - Sun. May 4: at Houston, TBD (TBD)
* If Necessary

(3) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6)Phoenix Suns
Game 1 - Sat. April 19: at S.A., 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 2 - Tue. April 22: at S.A., 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3 - Fri. April 25: at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4 - Sun. April 27: at Phoenix, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 5* - Tue. April 29: at S.A., TBD (TBD)
Game 6* - Thu. May 1: at Phoenix, TBD (TBD)
Game 7* - Sat. May 3: at S.A., TBD (TNT)
* If Necessary

(2)New Orleans Hornets vs. (7)Dallas Mavericks
Game 1 - Sat. April 19: at New Orleans, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 2 - Tue. April 22: at New Orleans, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3 - Fri. April 25: at Dallas, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4 - Sun. April 27: at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5* - Tue. April 29: at New Orleans, TBD (TBD)
Game 6* - Thu. May 1: at Dallas, TBD (TBD)
Game 7* - Sat. May 3: at New Orleans, TBD (TNT)
* If Necessary

That Magic/Raptors series sure seems to be getting a lot of respect. Three games on NBATV? Come on. The NHL doesn't even have playoff games on their own network and they're desperate.

That is really too bad. It should be a pretty good series.

Doesn't affect me!

The Isiah era is finally over, if NY reports are true. Oh jesus. His reign will truly be iconic!

As exiciting as the end of the regular season was, I have a fear that the postseason could end up really disappointing and boring, say a San Antonio/Utah & Detroit/Washington conference finals, and then another San Antonio/Detroit Finals. And I doubt we will see a matchup as fun and exciting as last year's GS/Dallas.

EAST
Boston over Atlanta in 4
Detroit over Philly in 5
Magic over Toronto in 5
Wizards over Cavs in 6

WEST
Lakers over Nuggets in 4
Mavs over Hornets in 7
Spurs over Suns in 6
Utah over Houston in 7

I'm changing my prediction on the Cavs - Wiz game. I'm probably overthinking this and will regret it, but I read some commentary over at ESPN.com that really changed my mind on this one. It's scary how similar the Cavs season was to that of the Miami Heat last year (who were swept 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs). With the Wiz looking stronger and healthier every day, I'm doing a '180' here. Ditto for Utah and Houston... I switched them after studying some stats/records.

To take the playoffs all the way out for fun:

Round 2:
Pistons over the Magic in 5 (Pistons have their number)
Boston over the Wiz in 6
Lakers over the Mavs in 6
Spurs over Utah in 6

Round 3:
Pistons over Celts in 4
Lakers over Spurs in 7

Finals:
Pistons over Lakers in 6

And, in round 3... I'm just kidding about a 4 game sweep: Pistons over Celts in 7.

RIP Seattle Supersonics. 28 of 30 owners voted for it today. Still a court case to go through, but looks like Durant will be playing in Oklahoma City next fall.

Yeah it's fucking retarded. I hope the starbucks dude gets to buy his team back.

King James is about to throw down 40 on the Wizards in 4....3....2........

They did pretty well, but the "Support the Katrina team" incentive might have had an effect... or they might just be a better than expected market for it. But besides that, Seattle has brought in good crowds for 30 years, nobody was showing up now because they stink, but that happens to everyone and usually storied franchises have no problem surviving through a couple crap years. Considering they have the "next big star" on their team, there's not much doubt the fans would be back. The guy just kind of hijacked it.

Cavs win game 1 and King James scores 32.

GOOOOOOOOOO SUNNNNNNNNNNNNS! beat them Spurs.

woooo!

That was a hell of a game. Suns/Spurs up next!

lol Deshawn Stevenson 3 points on 1-9 shooting.

The Celtics survived through about 14 of them.