With the playoffs beginning tomorrow here are my predictions on how the postseason will play out.  Behold, Ctodrummers picks!

EASTERN CONFERENCE ROUND 1

(1) Detroit vs. (8) Milwaukee

The Pistons stifling defense and playoff experience will prove way too much for the Bucks.  Look for the Pistons to sweep, although the Bucks might steal one at home.          

Pistons in 4                 

(2) Miami vs. (7) Chicago

Shaq, D-Wade and company might have some trouble with this young and talented Chicago group.  Shaq will step up, however, and give Miami a couple of solid games which will be more than enough for the Heat to take it.

Heat in 5

(3) New Jersey vs. (6) Indiana

New Jersey's outstanding play down the stretch has been reminiscent of the team that made back to back appearances in the Finals.  This will continue into the playoffs and they will win this series with relative ease.

Nets in 5

(4) Cleveland vs. (5) Washington

This series will be the most exciting first round matchup in the east.  Homecourt will be a key in a series that might go the distance.  LeBron's stellar play in his playoff debut will give the Cavs the edge in a tight series.

Cavs in 6

ROUND 2

(1) Detroit vs. (4) Cleveland

This series will be an extremely exciting one.  LeBron will undoubtedly play great, but with not enough help from his teammates the Cavs will be unable to beat the superior Pistons squad.  The Cavs might steal one in Detroit, but most likely not.

Pistons in 5

(2) Miami vs. (3) New Jersey

Yet another great series in store with two of the games' biggest stars facing off in Wade and Carter.  New Jersey will steal the homecourt advantage in Miami and then take care of business at home.  The Diesel is running out of gas and won't be as dominant in round 2.

Nets in 6

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

(1) Detroit vs. (3) New Jersey

Detroit's first two walk thru's will hurt them here as they face a much better Nets team.  Look for the Nets to steal the homecourt but Detroit to rebound in game 3.  This series will head back to Detroit at 2-2 where the Pistons will get the job done and take it in 6.

Eastern Conference Champs: Detroit Pistons

and now to the west...

WESTERN CONFERENCE ROUND 1

(1) San Antonio vs. (8) Sacramento

The Spurs will take care of business at home as they have all season but will relinquish one at Arco.  The Spurs depth, however, will prevail as they close out the Kings in game 5 at home.

Spurs in 5

(2) Phoenix vs. (7) LAL

Unfortunately the post-Shaq playoff era in LA won't get off to much of a bang as Kobe shows that he can't win a playoff series by himself.  The Lakers will take one at home but with Nash and the running Suns the Lakers will be left in the dust.

Suns in 5

(3) Denver vs. (6) LAC

Even with the higher seed Denver will start this series on the road in LA.  The Clippers' lack of playoff experience will not hurt them in the first round as they take what will for sure be the West's most even first round matchup.

Clippers in 6

(4) Dallas vs. (5) Memphis

If one didn't know any better they might think that the 4 and 5 seed would be relatively evenly matched.  This is far from the truth however as the Mavericks were jipped by the NBA's screwed up playoff system.  This rightful #2 seed will have no trouble with this Grizzlies squad, whether Pao Gasol plays or not.

Mavericks in 5

WESTERN CONFERENCE ROUND 2

(1) San Antonio vs. (4) Dallas

Maybe after this series the NBA will rethink its playoff setup.  This series, which most would consider the Western Conference Finals, will most likely go the distance with the Spurs homecourt prowess being the key factor.  If Dallas can take one in San Antonio they stand a chance of winning the series but if the Spurs take the first 2 they will win in 6.  This is the hardest prediction to make thus far but the Spurs will dominate at home and win the first 2, but not without playing 48 minutes of hard-nosed solid defensive basketball. Credit to my coach of the year winner Avery Johnson for doing a great job with Dallas this year.

Spurs in 6

(2) Phoenix vs. (6) LAC

The Clips will be riding a high into round 2 and might take one in Phoenix.  Los Angeles, however, won't be able to hold on in a 7 game series.  Nash will lead the way as LA makes a very respectable second round exit.

Suns in 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

(1) San Antonio vs. (2) Phoenix

The true West Finals will have already happened at this point and the Spurs, who already faced their hardest test in the conference, will use the homecourt to their advantage as they have all season and through the first 2 rounds.  Phoenix will take one at home but will find the Spurs' depth off the bench too much to handle.

Western Conference Champs: San Antonio Spurs

and now ladies and gentleman, the moment we have all been waiting for. 

THE FINALS

Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs were manhandled by Detroit in their 2 regular season meetings.  However, those 2 games occured early in the season and can not be factored in to where both teams are at now.  The question for the Spurs, besides obviously their health issues, is whether or not they will match the Pistons' intensity at both ends of the floor.  The question for the Pistons is their depth off the bench.  When the finals roll around both teams will have played around 100 games.  Many people have posed the question as to whether or not the Pistons starters will have enough gas left come Finals time.  The homecourt advantage will no doubt be an important factor here.  However, the bigger factor is whether the Spurs' health will continue to be an issue as it has all season long.  Luckily, as i stated in a previous blog, the bane of the Spurs this season has been back to back games.  Why is this lucky?  Well with the issue of health in the playoffs, not playing back to backs is a big deal for San Antonio.  Over half of their losses this year came on back to back games.  Keeping that in mind the Spurs will be a bit scarier when they dont have to worry about going 2 straight nights.  The Pistons will be ready to play and this series should be a doozie.  It will be important for San Antonio to steal the homecourt advantage.  If they can do that, which i think they will, they will probably win the series.  So in the best overall series of the entire postseason the Spurs will prevail, with their superior depth that leads them over a tired and worn out Pistons starting 5. 

NBA CHAMPS: San Antonio Spurs

So there you have it folks.  Ctodrummer's prediction's for the playoffs.  Im sure there will be detractors that will disagree.  But that is why this is nothing but a prediction.  That, as i have said before, is why they play the games.