It’s NBA Playoff time and I think it’s going to be a great ride.  This year is set up for the young stars to step up and I think that’s what’s going to happen.  Here’s how I see things going down:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

Chicago Bulls over the Indiana Pacers in 4 games:  It’s great to see the Pacers return to the playoffs, but, I don’t think they will even win one game in this series.  Derrick Rose and his cohorts are going to be way too much for the Pacers to deal with.

Orlando Magic over the Atlanta Hawks in 5 games:  The Atlanta Hawks tend to not show up when they don’t feel like it.  The Magic swept them in the playoffs last year and I just don’t see Larry Drew outcoaching Stan Van Gundy in this series. 

Boston Celtics over the New York Knicks in 5 games:  I see the Knicks winning a game at Madison Square Garden, but the Celtics are a way deeper team and they are going to grind on the Knicks.  The Celtics are battle tested and they will respond to the bright lights of the playoffs.

Miami Heat over the Philadelphia 76ers in 5 games:  I think the Sixers will win one game at home in this series.  The Sixers play solid team basketball while the Heat are all about the “Big Three”.  The 76ers don’t have the right makeup of the roster to beat the Heat in this series.

ROUND II:

Chicago over Orlando in six games:  The Bulls have the muscle up front to deal with Dwight Howard and I think they are going to surround him and frustrate him in this series.  The Magic don’t have anyone that can stop Derrick Rose.

Boston Celtics over the Miami Heat in six games:  Last year the Celtics beat up on the Cavaliers due to LeBron James’ phantom elbow injury that didn’t show anything on any MRIs.  The Celtics also have Delonte West on the team and there’s no telling what his mom will be up to when these two teams meet again.  Plus, the Celtics were 3-1 against the Heat during the regular season and they have guys that actually step up in the playoffs.

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS:

Chicago Bulls over the Boston Celtics in 7 games:  This is going to be the classic passing of the torch series.  The Bulls’ young legs will help them overcome the Celtics big game experience in this series.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

San Antonio Spurs over the Memphis Grizzlies in 7 games:  This is not a typo and I wouldn’t be entirely shocked to see the Grizzlies upset the Spurs.  I’m not so sure the Spurs can win this series with a gimpy Manu Ginobili (elbow), because the Grizzlies are a hungry and talented bunch.

Oklahoma City Thunder over the Denver Nuggets in 7 games:  I think the Thunder have the better starting five without much doubt.  But the Nuggets go 10-deep with solid players and they are going to win a few games in this series for that reason alone.

Dallas Mavericks over the Portland Trailblazers in 6 games:  The Mavericks are going to have a rough time in this series, because they are going to likely get outplayed in the backcourt.  That puts a lot of pressure on the frontline.  Just like the Grizzlies/Spurs series, I wouldn’t be shocked to see an upset in this series.

Los Angeles Lakers over the New Orleans Hornets in 4 games:  The Hornets come into the playoffs on a losing streak and they have not looked like they wanted to play the last couple of weeks.  The Lakers are deeper, more talented and they have a better coach than the Hornets do.

ROUND II:

Oklahoma City Thunder over the Spurs in six games:  The Spurs are going to be tired after having to go all out to beat the Grizzlies in the first round and it’s going to show in this series.  Kevin Durant is really going to abuse Richard Jefferson in this series.

Los Angeles Lakers over the Dallas Mavericks in six games:  The Lakers just have too much firepower for the Mavericks in this series.  They are likely going to give Dirk Nowitzki fits in this series.

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: 

Oklahoma City Thunder over the Los Angeles Lakers in 7 games:  The Thunder will take the lessons they learned about the Lakers in the playoffs last season and turn the tables on them this year.  Look for James Harden to be the secret weapon in this series for the Thunder.

NBA FINALS:

Chicago Bulls over the Oklahoma City Thunder in 7 games:  This is going to be a battle of classic basketball as the matchups will be very even in this series.  I think the homecourt advantage is going to will the Bulls to a win in Game #7 in an epic series that people will be talking about for a long time.