2008 NBA Playoff Predictions: Part II

Here's Crossover Hoop's 2008 Eastern Conference Playoff predictions:

First Round:

1. Boston Celtics vs 8. Atlanta Hawks-Boston in 4: Do I really need to say anything. Atlanta's roster has a combined 66 games of playoff experience, while Boston's roster has a combined 474 games of playoff experience. Easy sweep for the #1 seeded Celtics. Nuff said, let's move on.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers vs 5. Washington Wizards-Washington in 6: I know Cleveland has the 2nd best player in the league on their team, and that they are the defending Eastern Conference Champions, but I am sorry, there is no way, a hurting LeBron, and a sorry supporting cast is going to get past Washington. Jamison, Butler, and Arenas, are too good to lose, and will most likely finish out the series in 6 to 7 games. Being the amazing player he is, LeBron will still have a great series, despite his back issues, but it won't be great enough to overcome how inconsistent this thrown-together Cavs team has been this year.

2. Detroit Pistons vs 7. Philadelphia 76ers-Detroit in 6: Philly has enough momentum to push this series to 6 maybe even 7 games, but Detroit has just too much experience, and is just too good to lose this series. Andre squared have played great this year, but we probably won't see any upsets here.

3. Orlando Magic vs Toronto Raptors-Orlando in 7: I don't know how many people agree with me that this will be a tight series, but I think that both teams are pretty square, and that they will push each other as far as both teams can go. Toronto is a great shooting team, and anchored by Bosh down low, will stay neck and neck all series with Orlando despite Superman 2.0 patrolling the paint for Orlando.

Semi-Finals:

1. Boston Celtics vs 5. Washington Wizards-Boston in 6: The fact that Washington beat Boston 3 games out of 4 this season means a lot, but Boston is just too good to lose this early. If they do, I won't be surprised, but I still think that they will win this series in 5 or 6 games. On the other hand, if Arenas is back to his old Hibachi self, I think Washington might have a chance.

2. Detroit Pistons vs 3. Orlando Magic-Detroit in 6: Orlando is going to be tired after their long series vs Toronto, so any chance of pushing the series to 7 games seems pretty unrealistic. But Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, and Rashard Lewis, will put up a good fight against Detroit's Defense. Detroit will want to finish this series quick, and without trouble, so not to tire out for their next series, which will go down as one of the all time greatest Eastern Conference Finals in NBA history.

Conference Finals:

1. Boston Celtics vs 2. Detroit Pistons-Detroit in 7: As I said before, this series will be one of the greats. Two very hungry teams will both go to the brink to win this series. However, in the end, I'm giving the edge to Detroit, whose team has been together for ages. Boston's amazing run will end in Beantown, causing KG to wait another year for a ring.

Now, the moment we have all been waiting for...THE NBA FINALS!

THE NBA FINALS:

1. LA Lakers vs 2. Detroit Pistons(HCA)-LA Lakers in 5: My boys will finally get their revenge for 5 years ago, when Detroit shocked the Lakers Hall of Fame Lineup. Detroit hasn't seen the Lakers with Gasol, and I think they will have too tough a time to contain Kobe, Pau, Lamar, and possibly Bynum all at the same time. Their defense is great, but if Prince is busy on Kobe, Sheed covering Pau, and Hamilton left to make a feeble attempt at stopping the new and improved LAMAR ODOM. And if Andrew Bynum is back, and making an impact, there is no chance of the Pistons getting more than 1 maybe 2 wins. It's time for the rebirth of the Lakers Dynasty, and boy is it SWEET! Oh and by the way, to go along with his MVP, and 4th championship ring, Kobe also brings home his very first Finals MVP award. Pretty good year, for someone who was demanding a trade 1 year ago.