The Journey Begins...

...82 games later we find ourselves at the doorstep of the NBA Playoffs; (most of) the weak links have been weeded out and await the Blake Griffin sweepstakes, while the 16 remaining teams fight it out for the most coveted prize in pro basketball, almost all of them knowing they have no legitimate chance here. Sad to say, the playoffs are looking like a bit of a wash; nobody in the West has really been fucking with the Lakers all year, and the one other team nobody could rule out's been decimated by injury and likely won't be up  to their usual playoff heroics. Cleveland, meanwhile looks almost unbeatable out East; even if Garnett returns for the postseason, he won't be anywhere near 100% in a win-or-go-home situation that will demand the most from his body. Don't sleep on the probability of an Orlando-Cleveland East Finals, (...and please don't try and tell me the Magic have any chance of winning that series having to Enter the Q four times) Boston's very vulnerable right now. Regardless of these playoffs' seemingly obvious outcome, there's still eight matchups to break down, so let's get into it:

EAST

Cleveland (1) vs Detroit (8)

Once upon a time, this was a marquee matchup; one that would decide the East crown and was always sure to be highly competitive. Now that Chauncey's gone and Detroit's status as a legit team's been collapsing like Greg Oden all year long, they'll be seriously hard-pressed to get a single win against Cleveland. The one thing they have going for them is that their best defender matches up with Lebron James. Everything else about this series (generally the Cavs's home court swagger and immeasurably better basketball) screams sweep. Cavs in 4.

Boston (2) vs Chicago (7)

Now that KG's on pins and needles, the plot sorta thickens here. Recall Boston's opening round last year, one where an up-and-coming squad pushed them to seven games because most of their team had never been to the playoffs and their veterans hadn't in so long it was like a crack relapse just getting back there; they weren't sure of themselves. Now they find themselves in a similar predicament, without their leader going up against a Bulls team that's looked impressive since their deadline deal.  But despite Chicago's growth this year, they likely haven't matured enough to knock off the defending champs, and with or without Garnett, they have no answer (let alone a defender) for Pierce and Allen. Celtics in 6.

Orlando (3) vs Philadelphia (6)

This could've been a good series; Orlando shoots an awful lot of threes, enough to get them in trouble against a team that loves scoring in transition off misses. Philly's going to be hard-pressed to stop the Magic's onslaught though; they're not a particularly strong team defensively or on the boards and I can already vividly imagine Sam Dalembert struggling against Dwight. What the Sixers lack is a go-to guy who can take over a game and level the playing field of this series. With Thaddeus Young injured as well, it'll be tough to salvage much more than a game.

Magic in 5.

Atlanta (4) vs. Miami (5)

So Dwyane n' Friends ultimately fell short in their quest for homecourt, but as a consolation prize get to face undoubtedly the weakest team in the top 4. Atlanta's big problem here is that their best player will be asked to lock down Wade, which could not only put him in foul trouble but tire him out; given that JJ's so vital to their offense, this could end up costing them the series. Atlanta's more talented at every other position and (relatively) deeper but I can't help but feel like Wade's penchant for playoff heroics will push his team over the top. Heat in 7

WEST

LA Lakers (1) vs. Utah (8)

The Jazz are a confounding squad. On paper, they're the second-deepest team in the league and if not for injuries wold surely have a higher seed. At the same time they fucking suck on the road and have had a hard time winning against playoff teams lately. Deron Williams is going to have a field day in this series but it won't be nearly enough for Utah to topple the mighty Lakeshow. Lakers in 5.

Denver (2) vs. New Orleans (7)

The Nuggets, for the first time in an eternity, are entering the playoffs poised and composed, ready to square off against a team that hasn't looked like itself, playing like the Raptors instead of a squad that almost knocked off the Spurs a year ago. Chandler's been a shell of his former self, Peja's proving more and more obsolete, and while containing Chris Paul is a very relative term, Billups is probably one of the best-suited to do it. Denver's improved commitment on D, combined with NO's lack of firepower, will spell a first-round exit for the Hornets. Nuggets in 6

San Antonio (3) vs. Dallas (6)

I love this matchup; the fact that one of these teams is guaranteed a first-round exit makes me happier than Damon Stoudemire will be on Monday (check the calendar). Manu's absence really hurts the Spurs, stretching their bench and forcing guys with little playoff experience to carry heavy loads. Furthermore, for the first time in a decade, the Spurs aren't peaking heading into the playoffs; they've looked tired (especially Timmy D) and Dallas has been playing some of its better ball down the home stretch; against a decimated San Antonio squad I like them pul off the upset, as much as that hurts to admit. Mavs in 7.

 

Portland (4) vs. Houston (5)

This has the potential to be one of the better series; these teams play contrasting styles of ball and neither has much playoff experience; there'll be plenty of opportunities for this matchup to go either way. Portland's got homecourt and has been damn near unbeatable at the Rose Garden, so I see this one falling their way and Yao joining his old buddy T-Mac in first-round purgatory. (I'm trying to watch the Celtics/Bulls game, so I'm being concise here). Blazers in 7.

Whatever goes down, here's hoping "amazing" happens. Go Cavs.