2008 NBA Playoffs

So the playoffs are upon us. Mark did this on his blog, but I thought I would give a crack at it. At the start of each round, I will assess the situation and predict that round. I did pretty good with my NCAA basketball bracket.... (I found a lot of my information and stats on espn.com)

Western Conference:

LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets: This series will be a blow out. Um...What more can I say. The Lakers are favored 76%. The Lakers swept the Nuggets 3-0 during the 2007-08 season, winning by an average of 16 points.

Expert's Pick: Lakers in 5.

Ashley's Pick: Lakers in 4.

Mark's Pick: Lakers in 5.

Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets: The same situation is upon us this year as it was last year. The Jazz and Rockets met in the first round and the Jazz won in 7 games without home court advantage. The Rockets are favored 51%, but if you look at the regular season, the Jazz won 2 out of 3 games. The loss was at home and the two wins were split between Utah and Houston. This one is going to be a close series. But looking at the Jazz's road game history, they don't look to good. The Jazz need to step it up and play.

Expert's Pick: Jazz in 6.

Ashley's Pick: Jazz in 5.

Mark's Pick: Jazz in 5.

The winner of these two series will play each other.

Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs: Last year, Steve Nash had his nose broken and the officials played favorites to the Spurs. This year, things are different. The Suns have aquired Shaq. I found two interesting facts on ESPN.com: (1)The Suns are the only Western Conference playoff team to have a winning record against the Spurs this season and (2) The NBA Finals has featured either Shaquille O'Neal or Tim Duncan in each of the past nine seasons. The Spurs are favored 64%.

Expert's Pick: Suns in 6.

Ashley's Pick: Suns in 5.

Mark's Pick: Suns in 6.

Dallas Mavericks vs. New Orleans Hornets: This is the series that I can't find any clear winner. These two teams have never met in postseason history. I think these guys are about on par with each other. Dirk Nowitzki hurt his knee and ankle at the same time a couple of weeks ago and since he has come back has been playing really well. Chris Paul is playing well also. They are tied 2-2 with regular season play. The Hornets are favored 65%.

Expert's Pick: Mavericks in 6/7 (it is split).

Ashley's Pick: Hornets in 7.

Mark's Pick: Mavericks in 5

The winner of these two series will play each other.

Eastern Conference:

Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks: So, I don't know much about these two team except that the Celtics have something like 66 wins. Interesting fact is that both of these teams did not make it to the playoffs. The Celtics and Hawks have met nine times in the playoffs. Boston has won 8 of the 9 matchups. But this is the first time these two teams meet in the playoffs since 1988. The Celtics are favored 88%.

Expert's Pick: Celtics in 4.

Ashley's Pick: Celtics in 4.

Mark's Pick: Celtics in 4.

Clevland Caveliers vs. Washington Wizards: I really don't know much about these two teams, except that Gilbert Areneas just recently returned from being out due to knee surgery. Lebron is still being Lebron. This is the third straight year that the Wizards and Cavs will meet in the first round of the playoffs. In the past two years the Cavs lost only one game at home during the opening-round matchup with the Wizards. The Caveliers are favored 52%.

Expert's Pick: Split, but they all say 6 or 7 games.

Ashley's Pick: Clevland in 7.

Mark's Pick: Wizards in 6.

The winner of these two series will play each other.

Philidelphia 76ers vs. Detriot Pistions: The Pistons are favored 79%. This is the first time since the 2004-05 season that the Sixers have been in the playoffs. During that season they lost to the Pistons in the first round in five games. Is this year going to be a repeat? I don't think so. Allen Iverson is no longer with the team. The 76ers are tied with the Pistons in regular season play 2-2. But, the Pistons are one of the only 3 teams in the East who would have made into the Playoffs if they were in the Western Conference.

Expert's Pick: Pistons in 5.

Ashley's Pick: Pistons in 6.

Mark's Pick: Pistons in 7.

Toronto Raptors vs. Orlando Magic: The Raptors have Jarmario Moon. He has been doing very well for me on my fantasy team. But, the Magic are also one of the 3 teams who would have made it into the Playoffs if they were in the Western Conference. This is the second straight year the Magic and Raptors are in the playoffs, and they both lost in the first round. Orlando leads the regular season 2-1. The Magic are favored 67%.

Expert's Pick: Magic in 5/6.

Ashley's Pick: Magic in 5.

Mark's Pick: Magic in 5.

The winner of these two series will play each other.