Paul Bearer's 2010 NBA Playoff Preview

Ok folks the marathon is over. Another regular season in the books, the 82 game grind which started back in October has ended and led us to where we are now. After last night's season finale where playoff seeding was finalized and Chicago grabbed the last playoff spot, the playoffs are here, and I as a basketball fanatic could not be more excited.

16 teams are left and this weekend will begin a journey to win the Larry O'Brien trophy and become NBA champions. This looks to be a great postseason, along with the usual suspects and favorites we have new blood in the playoffs with teams like Milwaukee, Charlotte, and Oklahoma City. Who will rise? Who will fall? 16 wins and you are a champion, the playoffs boil down to a simple, yet sweet mantra: Win or Go Home.

With that said, here's my playoff preview I will break down each matchup round by round and predict the winners of each round and name who I think will win the NBA title.

Eastern Conference First Round

1-Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8-Chicago Bulls
The Cavaliers enter their first round matchup against Chicago well rested. Soon to be MVP Lebron James sat the final four games of the Cavs' season with them having clinched the best record in the league. Despite some flak about him not playing, the Cavaliers come into the playoffs ready to silence the demons from last year's playoff defeat at the hands of the Magic in the Conference Finals.

Chicago enters this series battle tested already. The final week of the regular season was in essence an early start to the Playoffs, with them having the battle the Toronto Raptors down to the final day of the season to get the 8th seed in the East. Second year point guard Derrick Rose has been simply amazing the final week of the season, he averaged 28.2 points over their final 5 games with Chicago going 4-1 and earning this matchup against Cleveland.

On paper this looks to be a blowout by Cleveland, with many expecting them to sweep Chicago and advance early. However, I think this series will be more competitive than people think. Chicago split the season series at 2 games with the Cavs, and Chicago has been in this situation before after being in that epic 7 game first round series against Boston last year. Chicago has the edge in the backcourt with Rose and Kirk Hinrich over Cleveland's backcourt and Joakim Noah has become one of the best young big men in the game. But in the end Cleveland is just too strong and Lebron will do enough to ensure that his team moves on, so no I don't think Cleveland will be upset but they will have a fight on their hands.

Prediction: Cleveland in 5

2-Orlando Magic vs 7-Charlotte Bobcats
Orlando comes into the playoffs the defending Eastern Conference champs and have won 59 games in the regular season. They are led by future Defensive Player Of The Year in Dwight Howard and he's supported by an abundance of perimeter talent with Jameer Nelson, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, etc. The Magic went home disappointed in the Finals last season and many of them felt they let one slip away, Orlando comes into the playoffs not only looking to get to the Finals but win the whole thing.

The Charlotte Bobcats won 44 games on the season and after 6 years in the league have earned their first playoff berth. Coach Larry Brown has done a great job with this bunch turning them into a tough and scrappy bunch. Charlotte turned around after the in-season acquisition of Stephen Jackson, and in a repeat of his first season in Golden State after being traded he has helped lead his team to the playoffs. Charlotte's heart and soul is Gerald Wallace, their do everything wing player has become one of the NBA's most improved players and is a threat on both ends of the floor.

For my money if any first round matchup has a chance for an upset it's this one. This is a series that could become eerily similar to the 2007 matchup between Golden State and Dallas. Stephen Jackson will be a big factor for Charlotte, he's fearless, a great scorer and knows the big stage, he will have to lead his team as many on this team are playoff first timers. Orlando has to play hard every game and take advantage of their advantage with Howard in the post especially if Tyson Chandler isn't healthy, Dwight should look to have a big series for the Magic. What I will be watching is the perimeter battles between Lewis, Carter, and Nelson against Wallace, Jackson, and Raymond Felton. This should really be a great and exciting series with Charlotte being in each game, but the Magic will prevail.

Prediction: Magic in 6

3-Atlanta Hawks vs. 6-Milwaukee Bucks
Atlanta comes into this series having won 53 games and recording their best season since 1997-98. The addition of sixth man Jamal Crawford was a real great move, his scoring off the bench provided another threat for the Hawks. The Hawks are loaded with talent Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, Josh Smith, and Al Horford and have two years playoff experience under their belts and this year are looking to make a power move in the East. They won their first round matchup last year, but this year they have title aspirations.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the great stories this year in the NBA. Coach Scott Skiles has done a wonderful job with this team, Milwaukee was picked by many pundits to finish at the bottom of their division and be one of the worst in the East. Milwaukee it seems had a different agenda, led by big man Andrew Bogut and spurred by the drafting of rookie point guard Brandon Jennings the Bucks have fought their way to much deserved playoff spot. The Bucks however really took off when they added John Salmons in a midseason trade, and been one of the surprises of the season.

This should be one of the most fun matchups in the Playoffs with two young teams going at it. But Milwaukee suffered a huge blow when their best player Andrew Bogut injured his elbow in a nasty fall a week earlier, and he will be sorely missed. But even without Bogut the Bucks have played great basketball and the Hawks better bring it. The Hawks are for the first time in a long while, the favorite coming into a playoff series. Mike Woodson has to keep his team focused, they want to prove their are one of the league's elite so they will come out with something to prove. Josh Smith and Al Horford will look to attack the paint with Bogut out and use their advantage in athleticism, on the Bucks side they want to get up shots and cut down on turnovers so Atlanta cant run. This will be a great series, that Atlanta will win.

Prediction: Atlanta in 6

4-Boston vs. 5-Miami
The Celtics are limping into this series fighting age and the whispers that their window is now closed. Kevin Garnett seems to be a shell of his former self on the court, the Rasheed Wallace signing has not worked at all, and they look to be on their last legs. However Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and Ray Allen have held it down for the C's and they pushed their way to a 50 win season and the East 4th seed. They have to try to see if they can get that chemistry back and get some juice into those old legs, if not they may be in for trouble this postseason.

The Heat come into this series on a roll having won 12 of their last 13 and leap frogging Charlotte and Milwaukee for the East's 5th seed. Dwyane Wade has been well Dwyane Wade the second half of the season and is playing like the superstar he is. The Heat will look to see if their run will extend into the playoffs and get them a series win in which they are the underdogs against the seasoned Celtics. The Heat pushed Atlanta to 7 games last year in a 4-5 matchup before losing, this year they hope to pull out the win.

This series here is my upset pick. I honestly think they Celtics are done, I know a team that's dead when I see it and the Celtics are done. Dwyane Wade has shown that he can carry a team to wins by himself, and alone win a postseason series as he did in the 2006 NBA Finals. The Celtics have the homecourt and the veteran advantage so they will look to use that towards their benefit. The X-factor for this series will be Michael Beasley, the second year player will have to step up and play well. He complained about being called a "Tito Jackson" by Charles Barkley, well this is a great time as any for him to step up and show that he's no Tito.

Prediction: Heat in 7

Western Conference First Round

1-Los Angeles Lakers vs 8-Oklahoma City Thunder
The Lakers enter the playoffs after a bumpy end to the regular season, a few losses and some injuries have rocked the boat, but they look to right the ship in the postseason. However the Lakers say their ready to go, and have a matchup that they favor. Rumor has it the Lakers tanked their Sunday afternoon game against Portland in order to draw OKC in the first round. How true that is I dont know but either way, the Lakers will be favored against the young Thunder.

The precocious Oklahoma City Thunder enter the big stage and big lights of the NBA Playoffs. They have been a great story led by their 21-year old MVP canidate Kevin Durant and his supporting cast of young guns, the Thunder have been a pleasant surprise this year winning 50 games under Coach Of The Year favorite Scott Brooks. But the Thunder could be over their heads or they could be ready to shock the world. Will they just be happy to be here? Or will they go in not minding the circumstances and look to pull the upset? The Thunder will have a lot to show and prove.

This will be one of the more fun matchups in the first round. We get a legit battle between two superstars and MVP-esque players in Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant. OKC will definitely test the Lakers, Russell Westbrook will dominate Derek Fisher and Thabo Sefalosha will play solid defense on Kobe as will the whole OKC team. The Thunder will depend on their perimeter trio of Durant, Westbrook and Jeff Green heavily this series, but they lack so much in the post and that will haunt them. In the end, I think LA's offensive talent, size, and expierence will be too much for the young Thunder. OKC's time will come, but it's not now.

Prediction: LA in 6

2-Dallas Mavericks vs 7-San Antonio Spurs
Bolstered by a midseason trade with the Washington Wizards, the Dallas Mavericks have been playing great basketball since then. The additions of Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and Deshawn Stevenson have worked wonders for the Mavs. The Mavs have an abundance of talent on their team along with their trade additions they have Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, and their leader and superstar Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavs beat the Spurs in the first round last year, and look to repeat that this year.

It has been an up and down season for the Spurs to say the least. After an off-season trade with the Bucks to add swingman Richard Jefferson, the Spurs became a trendy pick to win the title. However that has not come to fruition as Jefferson has struggled all year and his confidence has went straight to the toilet as a result. The Spurs have battled injuries, inconsistency, lineup shuffling, etc. However they still managed to win 50 games and in the last two months played some of their best basketball of the year. Manu Ginobili, George Hill, and Tim Duncan have been great lately for San Antonio, the Spurs have been here before and they look to give it one last shot.

This for my money will be the best and most competitive first round series out of all of them. These two in-state rivals have met before and know each other well. The Mavericks will be favored here, but I think the Spurs have a legit shot at winning this series. Despite his struggles, Richard Jefferson has improved of late and he will be the x-factor for San Antonio, he has to step up. The Mavs have a lot of firepower and will look to outscore and outshoot the Spurs, so the Spurs have to step it up on the defensive end where they have been inconsistent. The Spurs hope to get George Hill back as he is a vital part for them. This is gonna be a great one, and even though the Mavs are favored, I think the Spurs have one last good run in them this one will go 7 easily however.

Prediction: Spurs in 7

3-Phoenix Suns vs 6-Portland Trail Blazers
The most important move of the Phoenix season was the move they didn't make. Despite all the rumors that he was gone, the Suns decided to keep Amare Stoudemire and it paid dividends. Amare has been on a second half tear and the Suns have taken off, Steve Nash is playing like the best point guard in the league despite his age and is running this team as best as ever. The Suns are getting solid contributions from Grant Hill, Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley, Channing Frye, Goran Dragic, etc. The Suns missed the playoffs last year, but this year have come back on fire and look to make a title run.

Can the Trail Blazers catch a break? They broke up the "Jail Blazers", put together a team of good guys, stocked young talent, have a great coach, a star two-guard, and have done it the right way. But for seem reason, they have the worst luck. After losing Greg Oden and Joel Pryzbilla, the Blazers traded for Marcus Camby and seemed to get back on track. The offseason of Andre Miller was a great move, and the Blazers look confidently towards the playoffs. But in a Sunday game against L.A., Brandon Roy suffered a knee injury and the Blazers playoff hopes went down with him.

I really don't see how Phoenix loses this series. I hate to be this way and say this but for Portland it's simply no Roy, no chance. But the Blazers are competitors and they wont lay down, Andre Miller and Lamarcus Aldridge will have to be great for Portland, Lamarcus should be able to take advantage of Amare's still suspect D in the paint. But the Suns will use their superior depth to weaken and put Portland into submission. It's unfortunate for Portland and while they will be competitive, I just dont see them pulling this one out.

Prediction: Suns in 6

4-Denver Nuggets vs. 5-Utah Jazz
Denver comes into the postseason with a few questions and lingering thoughts. Is Kenyon Martin fully back? Can they stay focused? When will George Karl be back? Despite those, the Nuggets are still as talented as any team in the playoffs. An all-star PG in Chauncey Billups along with a superstar wing player in Carmelo Anthony, and plenty of talented supporting players and the Nuggets look to get one step further then where they got last year, when they fell to L.A. in the Conference Finals. If they can overcome not having Karl on the sideline they should be fine.

Utah has had another solid season, the twosome of Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer has been their usual all-star selves and led Utah to a 53 win season. Mehmet Okur, Andrei Kirelinko, Paul Millsap, CJ Miles and Wesley Matthews have given the Jazz a solid supporting cast and have made them a solid playoff team as they always are. They have been deep into the playoffs before and are experienced and will give whoever they catch in the postseason a dogfight and a long series. Jerry Sloan will have his team ready to go as always and they will be ready to play when the ball is rolled out.

After the SAS-Dallas series, this to me will be the second most competitive series in the playoffs. These two division rivals battled each other all year for the division crown and they both finished with identical 53-29 records on the season. The key is Utah's health, both Boozer and Williams are both nicked up but both will be playing but Kirelinko will not be playing this series and that will be a tough loss for the Jazz. These teams are so even that every area is almost a push, the Nuggets have more firepower and are more explosive, and the duo matchup of Billups-Anthony vs Boozer-Williams will be a great matchup to keep an eye on. This is the toughest one to pick out of them all because of how even the teams are, but this one will come down to coaching and I think Sloan will outcoach Adrian Dantley in this series and give Utah the edge.

Prediction: Jazz in 7

Ok folks, that's my first round preview of this postseason. Remember the playoffs kick off tomorrow on ABC at 2 Eastern and 3 Central. Hopefully your favorite team is in the playoffs and you will be watching and if your favorite team isn't in the playoffs. Well enjoy the lottery and still tune in and watch what should be an exciting first round.

I will be doing round by round previews for each series, so my semi-final preview will be coming at the end of the first round so be on the lookout for that.

So until next time, i'm out.