The 2009 NBA playoff matchups are set and I am here to pick my winners for the first round of games (The four East Coast and four West Coast matchups).
1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8 Detroit Pistons
King James and the Cavs own the best record in the NBA and everyone is anticipating a Cavaliers Lakers finals. If Lebron James wants to be in a category of Jordan or Woods then he is going to have to start winning some championships. This might be the year. I have the Cavs sweeping the Pistons in four games.
2 Boston Celtics vs. 7 Chicago Bulls
The Boston Celtics are a little banged and K.G is not 100%, and may not even be playing in playoffs. The Bulls have some good young talent and should be able to steal at least a game from the defending champs. I have the Celtics winning 4 games to 2.
3 Orlando Magic vs. 6 Philadelphia 76ers
The Magic have Dwight Howard in the middle and an array of three point shooters on the perimeter. The problem with three pointers is that you live and die by it. Superman Howard will carry them out of the first round but might spell some trouble in the next round. Orlando wins the series 4-2.
4 Atlanta Hawks vs. 5 Miami Heat
The Atlanta Hawks are the surprise team of the NBA this year. Dwayne Wade is the leading scorer in the NBA. Out of the first round matchups in the East I see this one as the most intriguing. I have this series going the full length and I have the Miami Heat edging out the Hawks to win the series 4-3.
1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8 Utah Jazz
The message of the West was avoid the Lakers in the first round because the rest of the teams are on a level playing field. The unlucky Jazz has the task of trying to take down the Western Conference champs of a year ago. Utah has a good record at home and has for years so for that reason I have the Jazz giving the Lakers a scare but the Lakers win 4-2.
2 Denver Nuggets vs. 7 New Orleans Hornets
Both teams seem to be struggling a little bit entering the playoffs. The Nuggets have had a very good season as the climbed up the west coast to get the number two seed where the Hornets where seeded last year. For that reason and the number one point guard in Chris Paul, I have the Hornets winning in seven games 4-3.
3 San Antonio Spurs vs. 6 Dallas Mavericks
The Spurs are a tough team to beat year in and year out. Without Manu Ginobili in the lineup this will be tough task. This year no one is expecting the Mavericks to do anything and many where surprised they even made the playoffs and now they are a six seed. I am going with another upset in seven games and got the Mavericks winning 4-3.
4 Portland Trail Blazers vs. 5 Houston Rockets
Everyone was expecting the Blazers to collapse like they did last year. They did not, this young team continued to fight night in and night out. Houston lost T-Mac and has played well without him, actually better. This is an interesting matchup and is hard for me to choose but I am going to go with the home team in the Blazers winning 4-3.
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