It is NBA Playoffs time! And with the Playoffs come predictions! The following are my predictions for the Eastern Conference Playoffs and feel free to comment!

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs #8 Chicago Bulls

Momentum-wise, the Bulls are really on a roll and needed every win they could get (aside from help from the Raptors’ failures). The Cavs rested LeBron James in their last games of the season in order to give him rest. He may be rusty in the initial minutes but will surely heat it up once the game continues. Key acquisition Shaquille O’Neal will be back after a thumb injury suffered against the Celtics.

Key thing for the Cavs would be to limit Derrick Rose. Derrick Rose has improved his jump shot this season but I still think letting him shoot the jumper instead of letting him wrecking havoc through penetration is much better. Still, it must be known that Derrick Rose does not get lots of trips to the charity stripe (he did get five trips in their last game against Charlotte). LeBron will get his points no matter what. It is a matter of keeping others like Mo Williams involved. Will Jamison restore his free throw percentage to normalcy? That remains to be seen.

As for the Bulls, it has to make sure that the other guys step it up. Rose is going to have a hard time at times and Vinny Del Negro (who has some issues with John Paxson) has to make sure that the other guys like Hinrich and Noah step it up in order to lessen the burden of Rose. Noah’s athleticism will be causing some problems for Shaq (or Hickson) and he has to capitalize on this one to get the boards and start the break for the fast and athletic Bulls.

When all things are said and done though, I am going for the Cavs to win it in 6. The loss of Ben Gordon will hurt the Bulls. Getting Flip Murray to solve their bench woes is not the solution in my opinion. The Cavs are a little bit deeper than the Bulls and that homecourt advantage will be the main reason for the Cavs winning.

#4 Boston Celtics vs #5 Miami Heat

The once-mighty Celtics have had their troubles with injuries this season. New acquisition Rasheed Wallace only has helped the Celtics in giving the opponent more trips to the free throw line with his technical fouls. Midseason acquisition Nate Robinson (who is 1/8 Filipino) has not helped matters as well. Still, there is no denying though that the screen rolls they run for Ray Allen have been effective. Rondo’s playmaking has been better this season. Kevin Garnett has to accept though that he is now a worn-out warrior. His performance is just not vintage KG. Paul Pierce is now showing signs of wear-and-tear as well. One thing is for sure though. The Celtics can turn it on anytime but I highly doubt that simply turning on the switch could make the Celtics defeat the Heat though.

The Heat have been led by Jordan-esque numbers of #3 Dwyane Wade. Wade will carry the Heat in this series. It is a matter of getting nifty contributions from the other guys. Michael Beasley has to ascertain himself as the “Second Option” in the Heat offense. His athleticism can now outmatch that of Garnett’s. Jermaine O’Neal’s rebounding has been great this season and though he does not possess that much bulk unlike Perkins, he can still contain Perkins in my humble opinion. The Heat have to hit their outside shots to allow Wade to have some free room in penetrating the Celtic defense.

This will really be a great series. My call is the Heat win it in 7. I initially said the Celtics will win in 7 but I take that back. This is the series where the Celtics will learn that trading Eddie House hurts. The Celtic bench does not have the depth that their championship squad had. Glen Davis has to step up in order to lead the bench effectively. The Heat are on a roll and will likely carry the momentum into this series.

#3 Atlanta Hawks vs #6 Milwaukee Bucks

Finally a playoff appearance for the Sixth Man of the Year, Jamal Crawford (Nothing has been announced but he deserves it.) The Hawks offense has been largely effective due to isolation plays for Johnson or Crawford. Josh Smith should have been an All-Star. His play this season has been simply amazing. The second unit is fine with Maurice Evans and Crawford doing most of the damage.

The Bucks will surely feel the loss of Andrew Bogut in this series. Bogut’s presence would have helped matters big time for the Bucks. Without him though, there is no reason to “Fear the Deer.” Jennings has shot the ball terribly at times but can heat it up anytime. Still, the Bucks just cannot pose a threat to the Hawks. It is simply sad.

This series could have been great had Bogut been healthy. Since Bogut is out for the playoffs, I will say that the Hawks will win it 4. The starting unit of the Hawks has been one of the best I have seen this season (even though it includes a not-so-young Mike Bibby). The Bucks just cannot threaten the Hawks without Bogut. It sucks.

#2 Orlando Magic vs #7 Charlotte Bobcats

The Orlando Magic have made huge stride this season. Acquiring Vince Carter was a great move for the Magic though they have to lose the overrated Hedo Turkoglu. The Magic can beat an opponent through the three ball or through Dwight Howard’s dominant inside game. Rashard Lewis will be the key here. If he makes his shots, the offense will continue to have lots of space since Lewis’ defender will always be near him in that corner. Vince Carter’s shotmaking abilities will be also important.

The Bobcats’ first playoff appearance will be a good one for the franchise. Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace will carry the team definitely. Raymond Felton will chip in some great numbers too. The problem for the Bobcats will be defending the Magic offense. Will they opt to defend the three ball more and take their chances on Dwight? That remains to be seen.

This will really be another intriguing series with two great head coaches going at it. My call is the Magic will win this one in 6. The Bobcats will have a tough series in their hands and the depth of the Magic (Gortat, Williams, Pietrus, Redick, and Bass have playoff experience) will be the key here.

I guess that is it. What do you think about my predictions? Comment now!