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TOPICS: nba playoffs eastern conference western conference cavaliers pistons celtics bulls magic 76ers hawks heat lakers jazz nuggets hornets spurs mavericks trailblazers rockets
The playoff seedings are finally set for this year's edition of the NBA playoffs, and the match-ups in the first round could hold some surprising upsets - a rarity for this league. Here's a look at who will move on to the second round of the playoffs and keep their championship dreams alive.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers
vs. No. 8 Detroit Pistons
The Cavaliers locked up home court advantage throughout the playoffs with the best record in the league at 66-16. Of those, 39 were on their home floor at Quicken Loans Arena. That means if the Pistons want any chance of upsetting this series, they must find a way to take a game on the road from the Cavs - a task easier said than done. The return of Allen Iverson for the Pistons might help their scoring woes as Detroit enters the series ranked 29th in that category. Not helping the matter is the Cavs' No. 1-ranked scoring defense in the league at 91 points per game. The Pistons won't have an answer defensively for LeBron James - then again, who does? So, look for King James and company to dispose of the Pistons in short order. Cavs win the series, four games to one.
No. 2 Boston Celtics
vs. No. 7 Chicago Bulls
The Bulls' young and talented unit has come together only recently with the late-season trade acquisitions of John Salmons and Brad Miller, followed by the blossoming of star point guard Derrick Rose. Kevin Garnett's return to the court would have boosted the Celtics energy level immensely, but he could miss the entirety of the postseason with an ailing right knee. Regardless of the injury factor, the Bulls just do not match up well with the Celtics' physical style of play. Add the fact that no one on the Bulls roster has serious playoff experience, Boston should put away Chicago without much trouble. Celtics take the series, 4-1.
No. 3 Orlando Magic
vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers
The Magic swept the regular season series against the 76ers. It should be much of the same in the postseason. Philadelphia simply has no answer inside for superman Dwight Howard, which will only lead to wide open three-point opportunities for forwards Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis. The only way for the Sixers to pull it out is to consistently push the offensive tempo and get Howard in foul trouble. Only problem is they'll have to do that successfully for four victories, which is very hard to envision. Orlando sweeps past Philly, 4-0.
No. 4 Atlanta Hawks
vs. No. 5 Miami Heat
The lone upset of the first round in the Eastern Conference isn't much of one, considering it's a No. 4 seed playing a No. 5, but still an upset prediction nonetheless. MVP candidate Dwayne Wade is playing the best basketball of his career, leading the league in scoring this year at 30 points per game. At the rate he's going, it's hard to see him allowing his team to lose so quickly. Rookie forward Michael Beasley is coming on offensively at the right time for the Heat. The Hawks have had a great year led by all-star guard Joe Johnson, but you just can't bet against one of the top five players in the league in Wade, especially when he's playing at the level he currently is now. It'll be a very competitive series between the two squads, but the Heat pull off the minor upset by winning in six games, 4-2.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers
vs. No. 8 Utah Jazz
The Jazz limps into this series losing seven of its last 10 games, thus leading to their fall toward the bottom seed in the West. The Lakers return center Andrew Bynum to the line-up, which gives the Lakers the best front court in the NBA - led also by Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. The Lakers are the best rebounding team in the league and have the best scoring offense of all the clubs in the playoffs. The Jazz cannot match up inside with Los Angeles, but Deron Williams should have a field day with the Lakers' point guards throughout the series. Utah has a great home court advantage, which will allow it to steal a game or two, but ultimately the Lakers will move on to the next round. Kobe and company wins, 4-2.
No. 2 Denver Nuggets
vs. No. 7 New Orleans Hornets
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