Basketball John’s Playoff Bracket with First Round Preview

First Round: Eastern Conference

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks - Boston in 4
Has everyone forgotten the Doc Rivers of the past few years? He hasn’t had to coach all year with the addition of Allen and Garnett. He won’t have to coach in this series either and that bodes well for the Cs.

(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers - Detroit in 5
As much as the Kyle Korver trade has helped the Jazz, it may have done some good for the Sixers as well. They’re 17-12 since the break and 2-2 on the year against the Pistons. But the playoffs will give them a little shell shock.

(3) Orlando Magic vs. (6) Toronto Raptors - Magic in 7
The Magic are the anti-Jazz. They have a better record on the road than at home. Dwight Howard’s Superman status carries them in the round.


(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Washington Wizards - Cleveland in 6.
What is in the water in DC? You have Clinton Portis and DeShawn Stevenson playing dress up and role-playing. Agent 0 has been better known for his blog this year than his play. But in this year of the beard, the King’s facial hair will prevail over Stevenson’s.

First Round: Western Conference

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Denver Nuggets - LA in 5
The Lakers were 3-0 v. the Nuggets in the regular season and that was without Melo getting pulled over on the way to the arena. Or maybe it was. He’ll get at least one ride to his home-court from the cops so they should be good to win one.

(2) New Orleans Hornets vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks - Dallas in 7
The messer has become the messee. Last year’s #1 seed is trying to become the messee this year. It wouldn’t be quite the same upset as Golden State pulled off but the Hornet’s playoff virginity will do them in. The crash you hear at the end of the series will be Chris Paul’s bandwagon going into the Mississippi.

(3) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Phoenix Suns - Spurs in 7
Let’s go to Marv Albert for the final 5 seconds of game 7. "Phoenix down 1. Bell with in the in-bounds pass to Nash. Amare comes up for the screen. Nash drives to the basket he shoots... What the hell just happened? I don’t believe it. Robert Horry came flying out on the court in street clothes and just took out Nash with a chair. Duncan was blocking the baseline ref’s view. Popovich was distracting Bavetta on the sideline. And Joey Crawford was watching the Spurs bench for any giggling. The game is over. There was no call. And the Spurs will advance to the second round. Incredible."

(4) Utah Jazz vs. (5) Houston Rockets - Jazz in 6
This first-round playoff series brought to you by Johnson & Johnson’s "No More Tears" brand baby shampoo. Even though the Jazz win this series, the loss at San Antonio will do them in for the playoffs.

Eastern Semis

Boston over Cleveland in 6

Detroit over Orlando in 6


Western Semis

LA over Utah in 6

San Antonio over DAL in 7


Eastern Finals

Boston over Detroit in 7


Western Finals

LA over SA in 7

NBA Finals

Boston over LA in 6