The NBA playoffs are right around the corner and I feel like its time for me to give my predictions, so let the scrutiny begin. The first round in the Eastern Conference isn’t really as exciting as the West. I have the Bulls, Heat and Magic all coming out with a sweep in their first round matchups. Even though the Magic is playing the fifth seed Hawks they haven’t looked all that good in the stretch and their playoff performances the last few years have been horrid so I see them losing every game my no less than 10 points. The key matchup of the first round is my New York Knicks vs the Boston Celtics. This should be a great series of matchups. I have the Knicks winning 2 games in this series, I just can’t see the Celtics losing in the first round. The second round should be star studded with the Bulls playing the Magic and the Celtics playing the Heat. With the Bulls and Magic series I see the Bulls winning in 6. Dwight Howard performs well in the playoffs, but the Bulls have a lot of size to stabilize him and I just don’t trust the other players on the Magic to come out with wins. Jameer Nelson and Gilbert Arenas aren’t known for their defense and I’m sure Derrick Rose knows this and is ready to exploit them. As far as the Heat and Celtics series goes, I feel like it has to go 7 games just because the basketball Gods will not allow anything less. With the trade of Perkins and the possibility of Shaq not being able to play, plays a big role in this series. The Celtics size was a huge advantage that they had over teams like the Heat and without them I think the matchups favor the boys from Miami. Also, the Heat getting home court advantage will be huge and I think this will be the year that Lebron finally gets passed his rivaled Boston Celtics. This leaves the Bulls playing the Heat for the conference Finals. Last years MVP Lebron James vs. This years MVP Derrick Rose (yes I am calling it now). This series should be intense, two strong defenses going head to head. Even though the Bulls swept the season series all of the games were close and I don’t think the Heat then is the same as they are now. They are looking like they are on a mission and as much as I love Derrick Rose’s game and how tough the Bulls play, I just don’t see Lebron and Dwayne Wade being denied a chance at the Finals. I think this series more than the Celtics series would be Dwayne Wade’s to win. He has the most playoff experience as far as winning out of anyone and he knows what it takes to get it done. This is why I have the Heat winning the East in 2 tough, hard fought series.

- Rell30