The gauntlets have been thrown, the seedings solidified and the stars set to burst onto the scene. Yes, the NBA playoffs are upon us, and yes, we're psyched.
Here are our slightly belated predictions for the first round, starting with the Western Conference:
No. 4 Houston vs. No. 5 Utah
Utah has faded considerably down the stretch, but the Jazz do have a large nucleus of young talent. If Coach of the Year candidate Jerry Sloan can refocus his squad, Utah could make a run at the Rockets.
Houston swingman Tracy McGrady can be unstoppable when he wants to be, and he's beyond hungry to win a first-round series after going zero-for-five in his career thus far. Yao Ming is probably the best center in the league, and while he'll have trouble guarding Utah's Mehmet Okur, who can step out onto the perimeter, he'll do more than his fair share of damage on the interior. Rocket glue-guys Shane Battier and Luther Head will step up if Sloan devotes too many of his resources to containing Yao and McGrady.
The only way for Sloan to neutralize Yao and Houston's "D" would be to get his guys running up and down the floor. It won't happen.
Rockets in 6.
No. 3 San Antonio vs. No. 6 Denver
Somehow, the Spurs always end up facing the hottest low seed in the first round. The result is always the same: San Antonio wins.
The Nuggets have been on fire lately, with Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony finally gelling. Marcus Camby can be a defensive presence, and Nene Hilario will be a tough matchup for Tim Duncan.
In the end, though, the Spurs are still the Spurs. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili will be impossible for Denver to contain. No one can shut down Duncan, and San Antonio's overall team defense will ruin Denver's strength: its fast-paced, high-octane offense.
On paper, it looks like the Nuggets could really make a serious run at the Spurs. In reality, they've got little chance.
Spurs in 6.
No. 2 Phoenix vs. No. 7 Los Angeles
If the Lakers had been healthy all year, they might have had a shot against Steve Nash and Co. That hasn't been the case, but Kobe Bryant is too talented not to steal a game for Los Angeles.
Suns in 5.
No. 1 Dallas vs. No. 8 Golden State
The Warriors were the only team to sweep the Mavericks this season, and no one knows Dallas' MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki as well as his former coach Don Nelson, who now leads Golden State. The streaking Warriors have large, athletic players that can give Dallas fits,and importantly, they have confidence. Add it all up, and you have what could be a serious scare for the Mavs.
On defense, though, Dallas' big defenders Devean George, Greg Buckner and Josh Howard should match up with Warriors' Baron Davis and Jason Richardson. Centers DeSagana Diop and Erick Dampier should have serious height and size advantages in the middle.
Those big men will be on the floor, too, because Dallas — the most versatile team in the league — will slow down the pace and play the half-court game that head coach Avery Johnson loves. With the Maverick offense running through Nowitzki, the Warriors won't be able to stop Dallas' offensive sets. Expect the Mavs to get sucked into their old run-and-gun personality a couple of times, but not often enough for the Warriors to win the series.
Mavs in 6.
Forgive us if we get bored quickly with the East:
No. 4 Miami vs. No. 5 Chicago
The chic pick is for defending-champion Miami to battle it out with top-seeded Detroit in round two, but remember that Chicago stretched the Heat to six games last year without newly acquired center Ben Wallace. Though no one can totally neutralize Shaquille O'Neal, Wallace can wear him out considerably over the course of the game. And without guard Dwyane Wade at full strength, where does Miami plan on getting its offensive production?
Chicago's weakness is its reliance on its guards. Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon and Luol Deng love slashing to the basket and firing jump shots. When those shots aren't falling, however, the Bulls can't force the ball into a post player with an offensive game, and they simply stop scoring points for huge stretches of time. The series will thus come down to Miami's perimeter defense, which won't be up to snuff.
Bulls in 6.
No. 3 Toronto vs. No. 6 New Jersey
The Raptors' lack of experience, plus a date with a Net team that's finally playing to its potential equals an upset.
Nets in 6.
No. 2 Cleveland vs. No. 7 Washington
The Wizards have lost almost their entire team to injury. 'Nuff said.
Cavaliers in 4.
No. 1 Detroit vs. No. 8 Orlando
The Magic are so overmatched it's not even funny.
Pistons in 4.
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