I talked about the Western Conference a little bit earlier tonight, and now it’s the East’s turn. Make no mistake: the Eastern Conference is the Miami Heat’s to lose. Short of the Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, or a healthy Denver Nuggets team, I think a Miami Heat championship repeat is inevitable. (And believe me, I say that without bias toward the Heat–I’m from Cleveland.) Here’s how I think Round 1 will play out…

(1) Miami Heat vs. (8) Milwaukee Bucks

Let’s be real here: Miami is essentially getting a bye in Round 1. The Miami Heat are peaking and far, far better than they’ve ever been before (including when they won the championship last year). Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks had a strong early season and then completely collapsed in the second half of the season. The Bucks have no business being in the playoffs with the caliber of basketball that they’ve been playing, and even against the Heat’s “C-Team”, I see no chance whatsoever of the Heat not sweeping this series.

Prediction: Miami Heat win 4-0

(4) Brooklyn Nets vs. (5) Chicago Bulls

Charles Barkley keeps saying that the Clippers and Knicks are fool’s gold? Well, I’m pretty sure the real fool’s gold in the 2013 NBA Playoffs is the Brooklyn Nets. By far the worst of the top 4 seeds in the east or west, the Nets got the 4-seed through victories over lots of weak lottery teams and few wins against formidable threats. I think Brooklyn will get one victory to save face, but the smothering defense of the Bulls will ultimately send the Nets home early and Brooklyn fans disappointed.

Prediction: Chicago Bulls win 4-1

(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) Boston Celtics

This is a matchup near and dear to my heart, as I moved to Boston from New York last year. The Knicks have been tremendous this year, and Carmelo Anthony is looking unstoppable. Jason Kidd is my favorite basketball player ever, and I think he and the rest of the veteran Knicks will utilize their plethora of experiences to excel here in the playoffs. I love Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry, and I think that the Celtics will go down fighting, but I don’t see Boston having the firepower to take down New York this time out.

Prediction: New York Knicks win 4-2

(3) Indiana Pacers vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks

Both the Pacers and the Hawks have played some forgettable basketball lately, and the Pacers are looking the weakest that they have all season. That said, I would still take the Pacers at their worst over the Atlanta Hawks. I’ve watched a good number of Hawks games in the last few months, and none of it has given me confidence that they have a chance against the Pacers at all. It’s possible I’m underestimating Atlanta, but I think it’s more likely others are underestimating the Pacers. I see this as the other likely Round 1 sweep.

Prediction: Indiana Pacers win 4-0

It’s my favorite weekend of the year: the kickoff to the NBA Playoffs! The infinitely stronger Western Conference is my pride and joy, so I’ll begin my playoffs preview and predictions out west…

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Houston Rockets

I thought I wanted the Houston Rockets to go into the playoffs, guns-blazing, and give the San Antonio Spurs a real fight. But what I really wanted, in my heart of hearts, was to see James Harden return to Oklahoma City as a superstar and bring his young band of brothers to combat the Thunder. I don’t think the Rockets can win–but I think that they can give Oklahoma City a big scare and make a statement that Houston is a team to watch in the next few years.

Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder wins 4-2

(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies

When the Memphis Grizzlies traded away Rudy Gay, their top scorer, I thought they were finished. I was wrong. They’re even stronger defensively without Gay, though their offense has taken a serious hit. The Clippers managed to barely sneak past the Grizzlies last year, and I think it’s a toss-up which of these monstrous teams will make the Western Semi-Finals this year. Of all eight 2013 NBA Playoffs Round 1 matches, this is easily the most difficult to choose a winner for. I think the defense of the Grizzlies will prevail, despite Lob City’s best efforts to the contrary.

Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies win 4-3

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers

The idea that the media seems to be propagating that a Kobe Bryant-less Los Angeles Lakers are going to walk into the playoffs and take out the San Antonio Spurs is just ridiculous. Yes, the Lakers beat the Spurs last week. Yes, Manu Ginobilli is still not 100%. But when it comes right down to it, the L.A. Lakers–as improved as they have been since the All-Star Break–are just not all that good.

Dwight Howard was forced to play well the last three games of the season without Kobe Bryant, but there’s been no evidence that he can put together a whole series of strong games like that. The Spurs have been strong all year and have drawn a seed where they won’t have to fight the younger and faster Rockets, nor will they have to contend with Memphis or the Clippers in Round 2. The Lakers may win a game or two, but the Spurs are exactly where they want to be and will pull through this series.

Prediction: San Antonio Spurs win 4-2

(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Golden State Warriors

I’ve been saying all season that the Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors is my personal “Worst Possible Matchup”, as these are respectively my #1 and #2 favorite NBA teams this season (Houston is my #3, by the way). At their best, I think Denver would easily maul Golden State in 5 games. With the injuries to Gallinari, Lawson, and Faried, I still think that Denver will take out the Warriors in 5 games, but I think the games will be perilously close. Stephen Curry’s fantastic play this season may draw this out another game, but ultimately I think this is Denver’s year to go to the Western Conference finals.

Prediction: Denver Nuggets win 4-1

My Round 1 predictions for the NBA Playoffs were pretty much a total bust. The Dallas Mavericks simply didn’t have enough vigor to pull off even one victory over the OKC Thunder, and Derrick Rose’s injury unceremoniously ended the Chicago Bull’s hopes and dreams. The Knicks suffered crippling injuries of their own but managed to score one victory over the Heat, while the Los Angeles Clippers upset the mighty Memphis Grizzlies to make a historic trip into the Western Conference Semi-Finals. San Antonio cruised past Utah, while Denver took the L.A. Lakers to their absolute limit. When all was said and done, it turned out to be a thrilling first round after all. But now it’s on to Round 2, and a fresh new set of predictions!

Please feel free to comment with your own input and predictions–all opinions and insights are welcome!

(4) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers:

The luckiest team is basketball is the Philadelphia 76ers. They talked smack about the Chicago Bulls, and thanks to Derrick Rose’s calamitous season-ending injury, they actually managed to back it up. Their fairy-tale trip through the playoffs ends here, though. Barring any more surprise injuries, the 76ers are simply outmatched by the Celtics. Rondo and Garnett were amazing in Round 1, and I think the Celtics are a lock to roll into the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

Dabid’s Prediction: (4) Boston Celtics defeat the (8) Philadelphia 76ers 4-1

(2) Miami Heat vs. (3) Indiana Pacers:

The Miami Heat are probably pretty overconfident going into this series, especially considering virtually every analyst (sans Charles Barkley) has discounted any possibility the Indiana Pacers have of advancing any further in the 2012 Playoffs. I want to believe in the Pacers, but with the relatively few TV appearances they’ve had this year, I haven’t seen enough of them to  be convinced of their chances in this series. The Pacers have statistically played extremely well this year and been in the overall Top 5 in the NBA, but I don’t think they’re at a level yet where they can feasibly topple the Miami Heat.

Dabid’s Prediction: (2) Miami Heat defeat the (3) Indiana Pacers 4-2

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers:

The San Antonio Spurs quietly and without much fanfare decimated the Utah Jazz and strolled into Round 2 of the playoffs. No one’s talking about them, the networks hate them, but the Spurs have nonchalantly won 14 games in a row entering Round 2. Lob City is a strong opponent, but with various injuries hindering the team, I don’t think they have what it takes to get past the overall top-seed remaining in the playoffs. The Spurs are the complete package, and while I think the Clippers may scrape by with one victory, I can’t imagine any more. Spurs will cruise into the Western Conference Finals, guaranteed.

Dabid’s Prediction: (1) San Antonio Spurs beat the (5) Los Angeles Clippers 4-1

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (3) Los Angeles Lakers:

To me, this is the most clear-cut match-up in Round 2 of the playoffs. The Lakers barely managed to escape the Denver Nuggets at all, whereas the Thunder decisively crushed the defending champions in Round 1. In the last game of the regular season between the Lakers and Thunder, World Peace had to attack James Harden and Kevin Durant’s game had to fall apart in the second half for the Lakers to (barely) win–in double overtime. Kobe Bryant may want a 6th ring, but the sporadic play of the Lakers isn’t going to get the job done here against the explosive Oklahoma City Thunder. A lot of people will challenge me on this, but I predict a quick and easy sweep for the Thunder.

Dabid’s Prediction: (2)Oklahoma City Thunder Sweep the (3) Los Angeles Lakers 4-0

While I find the Eastern Conference Round 1 to be pretty cut-and-dried, the West is far, far more intriguing. I predict at least two upsets in this round, but potentially all 4 lower-seeds could pull off victories under the right circumstances. The top seeds in the East may have a pretty easy time in Round 1, but the Western teams are going to have to fight in some real wars just to make it to the second round.

Please feel free to comment with your own input and predictions–all opinions and insights are welcome!

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Utah Jazz:

I have a minor grudge against the Jazz, as I had been looking forward to seeing what the Houston Rocket could do in the playoffs all season long, while I also harbored some hope for Steve Nash and Suns to have an opportunity to show their stuff. Instead, the unlikely Utah Jazz claimed the final 2012 Playoffs spot to my extreme dismay. That said, I have to admit that the Jazz have looked alarmingly strong off-and-on all season. This is going to be a much tougher series for the Spurs than people are expecting, and while I wouldn’t bet on it, I also wouldn’t count out a Utah Jazz series victory. The difference between San Antonio’s first-round loss last year and their match-up this year is that this time the Spurs are healthy and whole. I still think they’re too much for Jazz, but I expect this series to be a battle and not a blow-out.

Dabid’s Prediction: (1) San Antonio Spurs defeat the (8) Utah Jazz 4-2

(4) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers:

Unfortunately for the L.A. Clippers, their breakout year ends here in what I would consider their worst-possible first-round match-up. While the Clippers have had success against the Grizzlies in the regular season, Memphis is perhaps the scariest seed in the entire Playoffs. Without Rudy Gay they knocked off the 1-seed Spurs last year and took the OKC Thunder to their limit. The Clippers have looked sluggish over the last week, and Lob City will need to be at their very best to have a chance against the Grizzlies. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will play their hardest, but I think Memphis is simply too powerful and intimidating for the Clippers to defeat.

Dabid’s Prediction: (4) Memphis Grizzlies defeat the (5) Los Angeles Clippers 4-3

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks:

To me, this is the most interesting match-up in the first round of the playoffs. The networks may be praying for a Kevin Durant-Lebron James NBA Finals showdown, but I don’t see the Thunder even making the Western Finals, much less the NBA Finals. The Thunder won the regular season series against the Mavs 3-1, but those matches were for the most part very close and could have gone either way–and that was with a broken team of Mavericks competing. This time it’s likely a damaged Thunder going out to battle with James Harden still hurting. The Mavericks have been hot and cold all season, but Dallas is finally healthy and whole and have taken out the trash (AKA Lamar Odom). The Dallas Mavs are my favorite team and I’m more than a little biased, but I really believe that the Mavericks can pull through and defend their championship for just a little bit longer. OKC may want revenge for last year, but they’ll have to settle for gritting their teeth at home earlier than they expected.

Dabid’s Prediction: (7) Dallas Mavericks beat the (2) Oklahoma City Thunder 4-2

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Denver Nuggets:

This is the complete opposite of the Eastern (3)/(6) series. Whereas I’m certain the Orlando Magic will be quickly and decisively annihilated in the East, I expect the Denver Nuggets to come out and not only compete–but to win. The high-scoring, high-energy Denver Nuggets are playing some of their best basketball since the start of the season, and while I think this series will be close, I don’t see the Lakers being able to keep up with the Nuggets point-for-point. The Nuggets may be a wreck defensively, but Kenneth Faried is doing a lot to overcome that deficiency while contributing point-wise as well. To me, this was the best possibly match-up for Denver. If they can drag this series out, I don’t believe that the Lakers will have the stamina to chase them down and win the series.

Dabid’s Prediction: (6) Denver Nuggets defeat the (3) Los Angeles Lakers 4-3

It’s what I’ve been waiting for and looking forward to since last June–the 2012 NBA Playoffs! I’ve never put together NBA Playoffs predictions before, but I’ve followed the season pretty closely this year and watched a hell of a lot of games, so I’ll give my best analysis here, starting with the Eastern Conference Round 1.

Please feel free to comment with your own input and predictions–all opinions and insights are welcome!

(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers:

The Philadelphia 76ers have been a big disappointment to me the second half of this season. I was really enjoying reading about their success before the All-Star Break, even though they were rarely nationally-televised. Unfortunately, things fell apart and the 76ers had a truly awful latter half of the season. I think they’ll be able to muster some of their mojo and pick up a victory here in the first round, but Chicago will hardly break a sweat in this match-up. The Chicago Bulls have the deepest roster in the Eastern Conference, and the 76ers are just completely outmatched here.

Dabid’s Prediction: (1) Chicago Bulls defeat the (8) Philadelphia 76ers 4-1

(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks:

The Hawks have a better record and home-court advantage despite being the lower seed, but it’s not going to matter. The Boston Celtics have been a totally different team since the All-Star Break, and I don’t believe that the Hawks have the firepower to keep up with Boston’s Big Three and Rajon Rondo. I legitimately believe that the Celtics have a chance to win not only this match, but defeat the Bulls and Heat later on as well. I can’t say the same for the Hawks at all. Atlanta may avoid a sweep, but this series is Boston’s to win.

Dabid’s Prediction: (4) Boston Celtics defeat the (5) Atlanta Hawks 4-1

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) New York Knicks:

My heart says to hope for a miracle and a New York Knicks victory, but my brain says that that’s not going to happen. The Knicks, with Jeremy Lin, may have had the slimmest chance in Hell of taking this series. But the Knicks don’t have Lin, and without him I don’t know that they have “enough” to seriously threaten the Heat. I expect tempers to flare in this series, and if Tyson Chandler doesn’t get at least one technical within the first two games I will be stunned. While I think the Knicks may win a couple games in this series when all of the stars align and JR Smith and Steve Novak have a couple hot nights, I just can’t see the Miami Heat falling here.

Dabid’s Prediction: (2) Miami Heat beat the (7) New York Knicks 4-2

(3) Indiana Pacers vs. (6) Orlando Magic:

This match-up is the biggest joke in the Playoffs this year. I genuinely thought that the Charlotte Bobcats would avoid infamy by beating the Orlando Magic this week, and Orlando’s play has been so sporadic that the Bobcats nearly did so. The Dwight Howard-less Orlando Magic would be hard-pressed to beat any quality team, and their beating a consistently-performing Indiana Pacers team is a near-impossibility. I think the much more interesting question here is how well a hot and likely well-rested Pacers team will do in Round 2 against a potentially worn-out Miami Heat.

Dabid’s Prediction: (3) Indiana Pacers Sweep the (6) Orlando Magic 4-0