User:Bob rulz/2008 NBA playoff predictions

Here are my predictions for the 2008 NBA playoffs this year. These are purely for fun. I will do a separate prediction for the NBA Finals when they come around if it ends up different than what I originally predict. I'll also do an overview of how accurate my predictions were. Anyway, if anyone happens to stumble across this and is interested, feel free to make any comments you'd like!

Pre-playoff predictions

Western Conference

First round

• (1) Los Angeles Lakers beat (8) Denver Nuggets 4-2
  • Despite the small gap between them, I still believe that the Lakers are considerably better than the Nuggets. Unlike the Nuggets, they actually play defense. The strong play off the bench and Denver's potent offense should be enough to get them a couple of games, but the Lakers' higher efficiency, better players, better defense, and Kobe Bryant will easily lead them to a win in this series.
• (7) Dallas Mavericks beat (2) New Orleans Hornets 4-3
  • This was one of the tougher choices of the first round, but the Mavericks finished the regular season so well and the Hornets are so inexperienced in the playoffs that I think the Mavericks will be able to grind it out and barely pull out on top. The Hornets, however, are a great team from top-to-bottom and have Chris Paul. This one could really go either way, but I see the Mavericks pulling off the upset due to their playoff experience and increased intensity as of late.
• (3) San Antonio Spurs beat (6) Phoenix Suns 4-3
  • In a veritable rematch of last year's semifinals, this was again another tough choice. The Suns have matched up well against the Spurs since they got Shaquille O'Neal and the Spurs have been much more inconsistent and less efficient this year than in years past, but they always seem to turn it on for the playoffs. They still have the better team from top-to-bottom and I have a hard time believing that they will flame out so soon. They are the ultimate playoff team, and they will come out on top in a series that promises to be tense and hard-fought.
• (4) Utah Jazz beat (5) Houston Rockets 4-2
  • Despite the fact that the Rockets will have homecourt advantage, the Jazz are the better team from top-to-bottom and may be the most efficient team in the league. Their defense is still somewhat questionable, but they tend to play up or down to their competition and many of their losses are against low-rung Eastern Conference teams. And, of course, the Rockets will be without Yao Ming for these playoffs. The Jazz will win in 6 despite their poor road play.

Semifinals

• (1) Los Angeles Lakers beat (4) Utah Jazz 4-2
  • Although the Jazz might be the more efficient of the two teams, the Lakers are the more potent and powerful of the two. The Jazz do not match up well against the Lakers, and the Lakers still have Kobe Bryant. In addition, it's possible that Andrew Bynum will be back for the Lakers by this point, and if that happens, they'll be hard to stop. Although the Jazz's home dominance and tendency to play nearly perfect games against elite teams will eke out a couple of wins for them, they'll ultimately be overmatched against the superior talent.
• (3) San Antonio Spurs beat (7) Dallas Mavericks 4-2
  • Although the Mavericks will be the one to pull off the first-round upset this year, the Spurs will prove to be too much for them in a best-of-7 playoff series. The Spurs always have a tendency to pull it together in the playoffs and, despite their struggles in the regular season this year, their superior talent and playoff grit will lead them into the Western Conference Finals with relative ease.

Finals

• (1) Los Angeles Lakers beat (3) San Antonio Spurs 4-2
  • Here it is: Finally, a Western Conference Finals series between the two most dominant Western Conference teams of the decade. Ultimately, however, the Lakers will win. The Spurs have shown to be more inconsistent and less efficient than usual this year, and although they always turn it on for the playoffs, and will this year as well, the Lakers will prove to be too much for them. They are the more efficient, potent, and explosive team in this year's finals and, although it will be a hard-fought series, it won't be as close as most would expect.

Eastern Conference

First Round

• (1) Boston Celtics beat (8) Atlanta Hawks 4-0
  • This one will be a breeze for the Celtics. Fortunately, the Hawks are just happy to make the playoffs this year. Unfortunately for them, they won't even win a game. The Celtics have been even better than everyone expected this year and are probably the most complete team in the league. The Hawks are way over their heads with this one.
• (2) Detroit Pistons beat (7) Philadelphia 76ers 4-2
  • The 76ers have surprised this year, but the Pistons have been as good as ever. Although the 76ers have actually been one of the best teams since the All-Star Break, the Pistons have still been better. The 76ers ended on a losing streak, but they will do better than expected. They match up well against the Pistons and gave them some fits in the regular season, but the Pistons' playoff experience and all-around talent will win the day for them. The 76ers are still a year away from seriously competing.
• (3) Orlando Magic beat (6) Toronto Raptors 4-1
  • In another boring first-round matchup, the upstart Magic should handle the Raptors with ease. The Magic definitely have the advantage in this series, and will win more handily than expected.
• (5) Washington Wizards beat (4) Cleveland Cavaliers 4-3
  • In what will easily be the most most exciting Eastern Conference first-round series, the Wizards and Cavaliers meet in the first round for the third year in a row. Unlike last year, however, the Wizards will be healthy, and when all of their star players are healthy, they're probably the most potent offensive team in the East behind the Celtics and would've gotten much more attention if they would've had all 3 all year long. The Cavaliers have been hurt by their inability to get some serious role players around LeBron James and by a midseason trade that arguably made them worse. Although James will keep them competitive, like always, it will be too much to overcome the Wizards' big three of Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, and Gilbert Arenas, who are all fully healthy and playing together for the first time in what seems like years.

Semifinals

• (1) Boston Celtics beat (5) Washington Wizards 4-2
  • In a matchup that will prove more exciting than expected, the Wizards will put up a fight against the Celtics. The Celtics are the most efficient, potent, and exciting team in the league, but the Wizards will ride the momentum of their defeat of the Cavaliers and will put up enough firepower with their Big Three back together to win a couple of games. But not more than that. The Celtics are still too powerful to be seriously contested.
• (2) Detroit Pistons beat (3) Orlando Magic 4-3
  • In an exciting semifinals matchup and what will probably be the most exciting series of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Magic will give the Eastern Conference powerhouse of the decade, the Pistons, a serious run for their money. The Magic have stumbled about down the stretch, but will be rejuvenated by the playoffs with their easy first-round victory and will likely come close to knocking the Pistons out of the playoffs. The Pistons' superior playoff experience and execution, however, will win the day for them.

Finals

• (1) Boston Celtics beat (2) Detroit Pistons 4-1
  • The upstart and exciting Celtics will meet the Pistons, who have easily been the most dominant Eastern Conference team of the decade and will be appearing in their fifth straight conference finals. Although the Pistons have the playoff experience and are the quintessential team for balance and execution, the Celtics have been dominant in all phases of the game this year. Although they were expected to be rejuvenated this year, no one expected them to be as dominant as they have been. They have the poise and execution of an elite team that's been dominating for years, while the Pistons may be breathing their last gasp of excellence and were arguably helped by playing in such a weak conference. This one will be much easier than expected for the Celtics.

Championship

• (1) Los Angeles Lakers beat (1) Boston Celtics 4-2
  • I know this is kind of cheating, since it's so late in the playoffs already and I've had time to gauge their championship performances, but it's clear now that the Lakers are the best team in the league. Their potency and efficiency is astounding. They've just absolutely dominated their way through the playoffs while the Celtics have pretty much stumbled through. The Celtics will likely need another year of meshing and playoff experience to win a championship. The Lakers, on the other hand, unfortunately seem like they may be building another dynasty. Barring something unforeseen, I don't see them tailing off anytime soon.