NBA PLAYOFFS!!!!!

FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS...

Eastern Conference...

#1 Cleveland vs. #8 Detroit

• This should be a quick one. Detroit's a joke. PREDICTION: Cavs in 4.

#2 Boston vs. #7 Chicago

• The Bulls ended the season as one of the hotter teams in the league, especially at home. However, Boston's got home-court advantage, and even without KG, they've still got Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, plus Rondo and Big Baby are WAY better than they were last year. KG's been out for so long that the Celtics are used to his absence. PREDICTION: Celtics in 5. 

#3 Orlando vs. #6 Philly

• Both teams are very young, and are, for the most part, equal in terms of postseason experience. The difference maker is Orlando's talent. They're just too explosive offensively, and there's no way Philly can match that. PREDICTION: Orlando in 5. 

#4 Atlanta vs. #5 Miami

• This is the series to watch in the East. Atlanta's definitely got more options on the offensive end, but Miami's got D. Wade. Plus Michael Beasley's really stepped up in the past month, averaging 20+ in the month of March. That, plus Wade's magic can get the job done. PREDICTION: Miami in 6.

Western Conference...

#1 L.A. vs. #8 Utah

• L.A. is a machine, Kobe's on a mission, and there's nothing Utah can do about. Plus they're terrible on the road. PREDICTION: Lakers in 5. 

#2 Denver vs. #7 New Orleans

• It's hard to go against CP3, and David West has been playing at an extremely high level. But the rest of the Hornets' team has not shown up on a consistent basis this season. Denver on the other hand, with Chauncey at the helm, has been steady all year. Throw Melo and J.R. Smith into that, and you've got plenty of offense to go around. PREDICTION: Nuggets in 6.

#3 San Antonio vs. #6 Dallas

• The Spurs are missing Manu, but I don't see that stopping them from beating Dallas for one reason: Tony Parker. THere is NO way J. Kidd can stay in front of him. Look for him to go for 30 on multiple occasions in this series. That being said, these are in-state rivals, and Dallas has is a very solid team, with options like Dirk, Josh Howard, and Jason Terry. PREDICTION: San Antonio in 7.

#4 Portland vs. #5 Houston

• This will be a hell of a series. Both teams are balanced, and have a number of guys who can hurt you on any given night. But Houston's got, arguably, the two best perimeter defenders in The L in Shane Battier and Ron Artest, and while the Rockets haven't been out of the 1st round in years, they at least have some experience. Portland, on the other hand, is full of playoff virgins. Houston gets out this year - without McGrady. How ironic. PREDICTION: Houston in 6.