Western Conference
Spurs in 5 over Jazz: Jazz big men Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson may cause the Spurs some problems, but Spurs are determined to avoid repeating last year's upset. Parker, Manu, and Duncan advance.
Grizzlies in 7 over Clippers: Memphis is hot right now, and stole home court from LA near the end of the season. Key in the series will be bench play. I think Memphis getting Zach Randolph back, as well as more playoff experience sends Lob City home.
Lakers in 6 over Nuggets: It's a matchup of pace of play with the run and gun Nuggets and the giant Lakers. If Denver can speed up the game and take advantage of its superior guard quickness in Ty Lawson, Andre Miller, and Aaron Afflalo, they have a chance. In the end, though, Bynum and Gasol will just be too big inside.
Thunder in 5 over Mavericks: Rematch of last year's Western Conference Final, but this Dallas team has really struggled through injuries and lots of new personnel. I see Westbrook, Durant, and Harden getting into the paint early and often, sending the defending champs home.
Eastern Conference
Bulls in 4 over 76ers: Bulls, injured Rose or not, dominate a Philly team which was terrible in the second half of the season, and simply doesn't have enough scoring in crunchtime.
Celtics in 6 over Hawks: Boston rested and lost the homecourt advantage in this series, but it shouldn't matter for a veteran team looking to go on another championship run. The Hawks, meanwhile, have withstood losing All-Star center Al Horford well, but they are still undersized and need point guard Jeff Teague to hold his own against Rajon Rondo in the bright lights of the playoffs.
Pacers in 5 over Magic: Orlando's season has been a circus and it should end quickly in this series. Without Dwight Howard inside, I just don't see Orlando getting and hitting enough open three-point shots to beat Indiana, a up and coming hard-working team that has great depth and teamwork.
Heat in 5 over Knicks: Mike Woodson has done a great job turning around the sinking ship of the Knicks, but LeBron, D-Wade, and the Heat are too good defensively for New York.
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