Bravely predicting the NBA playoffs, including Jazz in 5, Wizards in 7

By C. Jake Williams

Editor's note: This column was written Tuesday but not posted until Wednesday afternoon.

April 23, 2008 | As OJ Simpson would say, "I know whatchur thinkin!"

The 2008 playoffs are a few days old and I'm finally willing to put my name on the line with a few predictions for the first round.

Wow, that's brave of you, Jake. Are you sure you don't want to wait til after game 3's to make your picks?

The fact of the matter is that I just never got around to posting my thoughts, not that I hadn't decided who would win each series in how many games. I'll try not to let what's happened in the past few days influence my ideas. See how brave I am?!

Western Conference

Utah Jazz v Houston Rockets - Jazz in five

This series is over. Utah stole both games in Houston and we all know they are nearly impossible to beat at home.

But here's a detail you might not know about Utah: of their 28 losses this season, 13 of them came on a Friday or Saturday. The Jazz are unbeatable Sunday through Poker night, but it's possible they look past their weekend-game opponents to get to their after-parties. Why does this matter? Game four in Salt Lake comes Saturday night, and with a sweep seemingly imminent Houston has a shot to steal one back.

By then T-Mac should need a game off to recoup an exploded back, so the Jazz will wrap up the series in five.

See, my prediction didn't change. It adapted. I originally chose Houston to squeak out a game two victory.

Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets - Lakers in five

We all heard that nobody wanted to play Golden State this year, right? Well believe me on this: EVERY team wanted to play Denver (in the interest of full disclosure, Denver is my favorite team since Shawn Marion left the NBA to play bench-ball in Miami).

Marcus Camby is the key for the Nuggets. When the Defensive Player of the Year - regardless of how the voting comes out - plays to his potential the Nuggets run and gun, score and war. I can't imagine a series where the Nuggets get swept.

But Camby needs a break. Game one showed us that. Four points, seven boards, and 2-for-9 shooting showed us that. Expect a big game three from the savior of my fantasy basketball season, then a nice long summer vacation.

If that argument doesn't work for you, do you really think Kobe is going away in the first round when MVP-to-be Chris Paul might be waiting eight wins away? Please. Lakers and the Real MVP in five.

San Antonio Spurs v Phoenix Suns - Spurs in six

This one kills me to write because I despise the Spurs and Phoenix was my favorite team before Murphy's Law brought the Big Contract to the desert, but the Spurs are just a better playoff team.

They know how to work the refs. They know how to get under your skin. They know how to put you to sleep.

Most importantly, they've shown they know how to win championships in alternating seasons. (Can you guess who I won't be picking to win their second round series?)

Poor Steve Nash: He'll never get his ring.

Stupid Shawn Marion: He was on the perfect team.

New Orleans Hornets v Dallas Mavericks - Hornets in seven

Chris Paul has to face either Kobe Bryant or Deron Williams in the Western Finals right? Is there any chance David Stern doesn't make this happen?

None. Don't be shocked if this series turns into a Get-rested-for-the-Spurs sweep. Happy birthday New Orleans!

Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics v Atlanta Hawks - Celts in four

Mike Bibby is smacktalking. Al Horford hasn't said a word. Josh Smith ain't talking shit. Why? Because not even the good people of Georgia expect their boys to upset Garnett's greenteam.

We'll have plenty of chances to discuss the Celts. Moving on.

Washington Wizards v Cleveland Cavaliers - Wizards in seven

Sure the Cavs are up 2-0 by now, but that's one of two ways for a seven-game series to begin, right? All LeBron and the boys have done so far is protect their turf, and now it's Agent Zero's turn to play hometeam hero.

All you need to know about this series is that the fourth-seeded Cavs don't have a dominant player save a 23-year-old who bites his nails during every timeout, and Washington is the five seed despite not having their high scorer for 90 percent of the season.

I'm just saying, I think these seeds should be switched. This isn't even an upset if you look at it my way.

Detroit Pistons v Philadelphia 76ers - Detroit in seven

The Sixers stole game one in Motown, but don't expect them to steal three more wins.

And yes, I think a win at home has to be chalked up as a steal for these Phillies over the Pistons. Andre Miller has played outside his mind the past two months, but Chauncey Billups is fully capable of righting the ship for his experienced squad.

Don't get me wrong, the Pistons get way too much credit for a team that only won one title, but Philadelphia doesn't have the talent to keep up with the Piston veterans.

Orlando Magic v Toronto Raptors - Magic in five

Is it a bad sign that it took me three seconds to remember Toronto's mascot?

Superman will dominate anyone our northern neighbors throw his way. I'd predict a sweep here except the odds of Jose Calderon playing like he did while TJ Ford was out in an attempt to remind management they don't need Ford's injury concerns next season are just too high.

Plus, don't they play Oh Canada before the games up there? That's gotta throw DHoward off for one game, right? Magic in five.

Second-round picks will come before the second round begins, I promise!

MS
MS