NBA Playoffs First Round Predictions

San Antonio vs. Sacramento

The Spurs may not be playing at the level they were going into the playoffs last season but they still have more talent than the Kings. The Kings have Mike Bibby at guard but the Spurs will answer with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
San Antonio vs. Sacramento


The Spurs may not be playing at the level they were going into the playoffs last season but they still have more talent than the Kings. The Kings have Mike Bibby at guard but the Spurs will answer with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

The acquisition of Ron Artest turned the season around for the Kings but Sacramento still won’t have an answer for Tim Duncan inside. The Spurs are also deeper on the bench with Finley, Barry and Horry all able to give productive minutes.

Prediction: I’ll take the Spurs to win. My guess is the series will go five games.

Dallas vs. Memphis

Jason Terry loves the playoffs! The Mavericks point guard was huge in the playoffs for Dallas last season and Mavericks fans should expect more of the same this year. Some experts are calling Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol a wash but I’m not buying it. If we are talking rebounds then yeah but Nowitzki averaged six more points a game and will be more effective in this series than his counterpart.


The Mavericks are also deeper on the bench than the Grizzlies. Jerry Stackhouse, Marquis Daniels and Erick Dampier will be the difference makers in this series.

Prediction: I’m picking the Mavericks to win the series. I’m guessing five games here as well.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns

I truly believe that if Kobe Bryant scores 40 points a night in this series then the Lakers will lose. A one man show can’t win a seven game series.

The key to this series for the Lakers won’t be Bryant but Smush Parker who will have to defend Steve Nash. That will be a tall order.

Shawn Marion is the Suns leading scorer but Phoenix has plenty of weapons on the bench as well with James Jones, Eddie House and Leandro Barbosa.

While the Lakers have possibly the most exciting player in the playoffs the Suns have a better team and should win this series.

Prediction: I pick the Suns to win the series. I’m guessing six games.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets

A lot of people are riding the Clippers bandwagon and picking the upset here but not me. I like the Carmelo Anthony/Marcus Camby duo for Denver. I also like the coaching match-up with Karl having a sizeable advantage.

Finally while neither team has a ton of play-off experience I think Denver will be more poised in the clutch.

Prediction: I’ll take the Nuggets. I see this one going seven games.

Detroit vs. Milwaukee

This is just a warm-up series for the Pistons who have every advantage in every area of this series. Here is my analysis for the series. Chauncy Billups, Rip Hamelton and Ben Wallace.

Prediction: Pistons sweep.

Washington vs. Cleveland

Welcome to the play-offs LeBron unfortunately you have to go up against Gilbert Arenas. This should be a very entertaining series. The Wizards have the advantage in the backcourt with Arenas but the Cavs have a frontcourt advantage with James.

Washington also has something Cleveland doesn’t, playoff experience. That is huge and will be a factor in this series.

Prediction: Washington wins the series. I think it will be six but wouldn’t be surprised to see it go seven.

Chicago vs. Miami

The Bulls could give the Heat some playoff headaches but the key word there is could. Miami is both the frontcourt and backcourt advantages but the Bulls are deeper on the bench which could win them one game in this series. I would be surprised if they won more than that.

Prediction: Miami wins the series. I think it will be in five games.

Indiana vs. New Jersey

Jason Kidd and Vince Carter will dominate the backcourt for the Nets in this series and that could be the determining factor. The frontcourt is a wash between these two teams with the Pacers possibly having a slight advantage with Jermaine O’Neal.

The biggest thing the Nets have going for them is their defense and that will win the series for them.

Prediction: Nets win. I say the series goes seven games.