Predictions: NBA Conference Finals

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (3) Orlando Magic

A Cavs/Celtics match-up might have garner higher ratings but I guarantee (check it...guaransheed) that the Magic will give the NBA's best team their biggest challenge. In the regular season, Orlando won the series 2-1, including a decisive routing on April 3rd (116-87). From a distance, it would appear that Dwight Howard gives Cleveland more trouble than most and that the Magic defense (which ranked #1 in the NBA this season - something ESPN won't tell you) has formed an effective strategy on keeping LeBron somewhat in check.

But you can already hear Cleveland's rebuttal, and it's hard to argue against them - the playoffs are a different beast. Throw regular season success out of the window because when the Eastern Conference Finals begin on May 20th, you can bet the Cavs' collective memory will have done the same.

Cleveland has something no other team has - a player who can do whatever he wants whenever he wants however he wants. Players like Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul are all tremendous players and superstars in their own right but they are a clear step behind James who makes pure dominance look almost effortless. With him on your side, you will be in every ball-game.

What will, ultimately prove to be key in this series is home-court advantage. Cleveland, since they are the one-seed, will have it. That means that the Cavs, who nearly broke an NBA-record for regular-season home win percentage, don't necessarily need to win any road games if they can protect their house.

I see this series going at the very least six games. Those picking the Magic in seven are foolish, in my opinion. If Orlando is winning this series, it will be in six games because LeBron James is not losing game-seven at "The Q" no matter who the competition is.

Prediction: The Cleveland Cavaliers in 7
Bolder Prediction: Neither team loses at home





(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (2) Denver Nuggets

There are a few things I know about this series. The first is that, if the most talented team won, it would clearly be Los Angeles. The second is that talent isn't everything. What I saw from the Lakers in their previous round against the Houston Rockets is that they are not a mentally tough team. Once Yao Ming went down from injury, the Lakers should have gotten more hungry, not less. They should have licked their chops to demoralize a depleted Rockets squad. But they didn't. What really happened was that they lost all energy and focus. They got complacent. They got cocky. They thought they could turn "it" on whenever they wanted and, to their surprise, they ran into a team that played with heart and pride. The series went seven games and proved to the league that the Western Conference powerhouse was indeed vulnerable.

So here we have a new challenger for Los Angeles - the Denver Nuggets. Denver has been a playoff team for a while now but have always lacked the mental focus and leadership to guide them to a deep run. Enter: Chauncey Billups - the floor general, Mr. Big Shot and the key to Denver possibly surprising the Lake-show. With Carmelo Anthony playing, arguably, the best ball of his career, the Nuggets are poised to make some noise.

Offense? Check.
Defense? Surprisingly, check.
Deep bench? Check (boasting J.R Swish and the Birdman, Chris Anderson)
Coaching? Check.

It would see that all the pieces are in place. All that's left is proving the doubters wrong. Keep in mind that it's no coincidence that this Nuggets team was able to capture the 2nd seed in a tough Western Conference. They really are a well-built team who will not back down to anyone.

Now, I'm not saying that the Lakers aren't going to win this series, despite the somewhat critical tone I've taken towards them in this post. It very well may be that the LAL/HOU series is just what they needed - a wake-up call and reminder that without focus, talent might not get you where you want to be. That's certainly the position Southern California is collectively taking right now. But I have my doubts. Between the Lakers' questionable desire and the Nuggets' recent surge, this should be a tightly contested series.

Prediction: The Los Angeles Lakers in 6