Eastern Conference
1 Heat vs. 8 Bucks
Let's start with an easy one here. The defending champs take on Milwaukee in what is the most onesided first round matchup. Sure, Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis may go off to make a game close. And Larry Sanders has the energy inside to cause trouble for Miami on the boards. But really, LeBron and Co. should have enough to advance in relatively easy fashion. Heat in 4.
2 Knicks vs. 7 Celtics
The East's most intriguing matchup pits the league's leading scorer against a veteran group playing for a city with a heavy heart. The Knicks can rely on Carmelo's offense while hoping Tyson Chandler will be healthy enough to anchor the defense and J.R. Smith can maintain his hot shooting of the past two months. The Celtics have several injury question marks with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce banged up, but Doc Rivers will get his team to play at a high level. Expect this series to be tight throughout but, Knicks in 6.
3 Pacers vs. 6 Hawks
For the second straight year, the Pacers enter as the three seed against a team that is not playing their best basketball of the season. The Hawks overachieved this year, as it was widely known they were looking to make their biggest splashes in the offseason. However Indiana isn't playing their best either, losing four of their last six. Combine the Pacers toughness at home with a mediocre Hawks crowd that is ready to see Josh Smith depart, and it's Pacers in 5.
4 Nets vs. 5 Bulls
With Deron Williams finally in shape and playing great again, this series becomes interesting. A rare series with two All-Star centers going at it, it'll be Joakim Noah versus Brook Lopez. The more physical Noah gets the edge there, which will be a theme in this series. If Noah shuts down Lopez and Luol Deng contains Joe Johnson, Williams's scoring shouldn't be a problem. The Nets really struggle against good teams and the Bulls are as healthy as they've been all year. Bulls in 6.
Western Conference
1 Thunder vs. 8 Rockets
It could be a tough homecoming for James Harden against OKC. Harden can and probably will play great against his old boys, but Lin on Westbrook and Parsons on Durant are brutal matchups for the Rockets. A hot shooting Houston team may be able to pull off the upset, but this one looks like Thunder in 5.
2 Spurs vs. 7 Lakers
Half of the stars in this series were in their prime five years ago, but that's okay, it looks to be hugely entertaining still. The Kobe-less Lakers are inspired. Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol are starting to click, and may be able to give Tim Duncan problems in the frontcourt. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli aren't fully healthy. This is the matchup the Lakers wanted and we see why here. Lakers in 6.
3 Nuggets vs. 6 Warriors
High point totals will be the norm here, and no fans will be complaining. The Nuggets were a true sleeper until Danilo Gallinari went down and the Warriors enter with little experience, but Stephen Curry's shooting alone should carry this young team to one or two wins. The Denver homecourt advantage may be too much for the young Dubs this year, and it's Nuggets in 6.
4 Clippers vs 5 Grizzlies
A rematch of last year's 4-5 matchup that the Grizz feel they would've won, this time it's Lob City with the homecourt advantage. The frontcourt battle will be intersting with the Clippers athletic duo of Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan against the tough Memphis duo of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. A huge bench advantage for L.A. plus the brilliance of Chris Paul makes this series Clippers in 7.
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