The NBA playoffs are here: Our expert picks the first-round winners
By Sean Deveney - SportingNews
The grind of the regular season is over, and the playoff matchups are set after a final night of standings shuffling. Sporting News Today's Sean Deveney makes his picks for each first-round series.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Cavaliers vs. 8. Pistons: For six straight years, the Pistons entered the playoffs with championship hope—but not this year. Cleveland, after all, was 39-2 at home. Cavs in 5.
2. Celtics vs. 7. Bulls: "We've got confidence," Bulls forward John Salmons said. "We're playing as well as anyone in the conference." True, but a disappointing home loss to the Raptors pushed Chicago into a bad matchup. For Boston, Kevin Garnett's knee is key. Celtics in 6.
3. Magic vs. 6. Sixers: The Sixers' tough final seven games looked like good postseason preparation. "It's a challenge," coach Tony DiLeo said. "At least we'll be playoff-ready." But the Sixers lost six of seven, and have no answer for Dwight Howard. Magic in 5.
4. Hawks vs. 5. Heat: Miami has Dwyane Wade, capable of carrying his team in any series. But Atlanta counters with Joe Johnson, more depth and homecourt advantage. Hawks in 7.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Lakers vs. 8. Jazz: On March 10, the Jazz had won 15 of 16 and were shaping up to be a West force. But they went 7-11 from there. Now, they're first-round fodder. Lakers in 4.
2. Nuggets vs. 7. Hornets: The Nuggets will pressure Chris Paul, overwhelm the Hornets with their fast break and advance to the second round for the first time since 1994. Nuggets in 6.
3. Spurs vs. 6. Mavericks: The Spurs lost Manu Ginobili on April 5, and their playoff hopes were on the ropes. But they closed with five gutsy wins in six outings. They're simply tougher than I-35 rival Dallas, and San Antonio will limp into Round 2. Spurs in 7.
4. Blazers vs. 5. Rockets: Houston is the only team to beat Portland in the last three weeks. No matter. The Blazers are young, but overwhelmingly talented and great at home. Blazers in 7.
With what defense?2. Nuggets vs. 7. Hornets: The Nuggets will pressure Chris Paul, overwhelm the Hornets with their fast break and advance to the second round for the first time since 1994. Nuggets in 6.
The Hornets to me looked DAMN DAMN good tonight, and IMO, will take down Denver in 6.
all depends on chandler. he looked good 2nite but how can he hold up and shake off the rust.With what defense?
The Hornets to me looked DAMN DAMN good tonight, and IMO, will take down Denver in 6.
a healthy chandler makes new orleans just about even with denver.
the jazz should win at least 1 game at home
denver's D has been good this year. best fg% against in the west.With what defense?
The Hornets to me looked DAMN DAMN good tonight, and IMO, will take down Denver in 6.
When were our playoff hopes ever on the ropes?
Denver is a decent defensive team. They are long and athletic in the paint with Nene and Martin. Martin might be way overpaid, but he's still a good player.With what defense?
The Hornets to me looked DAMN DAMN good tonight, and IMO, will take down Denver in 6.
There's no way for Denver to advance to the 2nd round.
i think they should give the jazz some credit.. sweep?......at least one win c'mon!
no , right? we were playoff bound even with ginobili out.
NOLA is a two-man team. They're not going to beat the Lakers, but this is not the same old Nuggets team.
Lakers
Hornets
Spurs
Rockets
Lakers, Hornets, Spurs, Blazers.
maybe they were referring to the Mavs bc they lost to the Grizz on April 5th and ended up winning 5 of 6...it amazes me how some people have jobs writing when there facts are off alot of the time
Did Chandler play in the second half ? If he did, it wasn't for long. We caught a bit of a break there. They'll give Denver a bit of a challenge.
Cavs over Pistons in 5
Celtics over Bulls in 6
Magic over Sixers in 6
Heat over Hawks in 7
Lakers over Jazz in 5
Nuggets over Hornets in 6
Spurs over Mavs in 7
Blazers over Rockets in 7
they didn't mean our hopes of making the playoffs, but rather our hopes of making it through the playoffs.
PLayoff Hopes = Hopes that we will be a contender for the le imo.
The Blazers have the best shot at beating the Lakers. They love to beat them just like the Warriors loved to beat the Mavs in 07. I don't know what it is, but they can handle the Lakers at home and have NO FEAR of them. I think they beat Houston in 6.
Typical Spurs fan:
Typical Spurs fan:
Cuatro Anillos, fatty. At least your typical Mavs fan can see their feet in the shower.
You're on the active roster?
Ooh, give me aloe vera for that burn!!!!!and not choke yr after yr after yr in the playoffs when it counts.
We can't? We've owned your asses for the past 5 years. We pitch and you catch in this relationship. The Spurs are always reduced to pillow biters by a bunch of mentally soft jumpshooting chokers. That must...smart.God that is funny. Mavs fans can't say anything about the Spurs
So, how many championships do the Mavericks have again? We've owned you guys thru the whole 2000's so far. Like I said about Dallas and it's fan base... crap team, horrible town, POS fans. Spurs in 6.
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