Playoff Brackets

By Josh Sperber

The seeds are basically set in stone, so NBA's version of March Madness can start

Eastern Conference

1

Cavs over Pistons (4)

Pistons are not great this year, the Cavs are on fire, and LeBron James will have an easy time on Rip, Prince or anyone the Pistons throw at him

Celtics over Bulls (5)

Shaky playoffs last year are gone, especially after clutch performances in the Eastern Conference and NBA finals.  A hobbling KG might hurt a bit, but the bulls have no answers for Pierce and Allen and Rondo should be able to keep Rose in check

Magic over 6ers (5)

Orlando may be on a downward spiral, but few centers in the game can play with Dwight Howard, who will outmuscle Dalembert.  With enough rest, Turkoglu will be back for the Playoffs, and even without him, Rashard Lewis will help out in scoring to combat Iguodala, but a healthy Turkoglu would seal the deal.

Heat over Hawks (6)

Two words, Dwyane Wade.  The size of Joe Johnson means nothing since Wade is a 6'3-6'5 superstar who can do it all.  Wade can come up big on either side of the court at any time. 

2

Cavs over Heat (5)

LeBron James can do whatever Wade can, but the King is bigger, stronger, and just as fast as (if not faster than) Wade.  The Cavs better bench will overpower the Heat's bench

Celtics over Magic (6)

Garnett will be able to slow Howard down enough so Pierce, Allen and Rondo can takeover.  Pierce and Allen are faster and more experienced in the playoffs than Turkoglu and Lewis in the playoffs, and Rondo will prove that he deserved the All-Star Game more than Nelson

3

Cavs over Celtics (7)

The Cavs are on fire right now, and the Celtics in last years playoffs were helped by James Posey, now a Hornet, because Posey slowed down LeBron enough so Pierce could lead the Celtics.  A sweet revenge will send LeBron to the Finals his 2nd time ever

Western Conference

1

Lakers over Jazz (4)

No team in the league has an answer for Kobe, except maybe the Cavs.  This will be a quick and easy series for LA

Nuggets over Mavs (5)

Billups has done a lot for Denver, and old Nets-Pistons playoff games were too long ago for Kidd to repeat his past success against Billups

Hornets over Rockets (7)

A gutsy pick, but Chandler can handle Yao, Posey can handle McGrady, but nobody can handle Paul.  Paul and West will be a formidable duo, and McGrady's playoff woes will continue

Spurs over Blazers (6)

Experience will be key here.  Oden is not yet good enough to handle Duncan, and the Spurs bench will help Duncan as Parker and Roy cancel each other out

2

Lakers over Spurs (6)

A typical Western Conference 2nd or 3rd round battle.  Again, Kobe will do what he does best to cancel out Duncan's dominance of Pao, and Odom will be too big for Bowen, Finley or Manu

Hornets over Nuggets (7)

Paul will use his age to his advantage as he runs circles around Billups.  Chandler will stop Camby, Posey will stop Melo, and West will beat Martin, that should be enough in this close series

3

Lakers over Hornets (5)

The Hornets will be too worn out to play with the best team in the NBA right now, Paul will take advantge of Fisher, but Kobe will make that meaningless

Finals

Lakers over Cavs (6)

The Cavs will be better than they showed in the Lakers double-digit season sweep of them, but Kobe will outplay LeBron and Kobe's better backup crew will prevail