[Marwan]

I really believe that, In Miami's case, you can't wait for the playoffs to play playoff basketball.. I don't think the magic light is just going to switch to "On" mode.. Not saying they can't beat the Bulls, cuz Heat haven't been 100% all season.. but I dunno if, as a team, you can go from playing mediocre as a unit to beating a pretty good Bulls squad.

My picks:

EAST:

(1) Det > (8) Orlando. 4-1
(2) Cleveland > (7) Washington. 4-0
(3) Raptors > (6) Nets. 4-2
(5) Bulls > (4) Heat. 4-3

First 2 seeds = might as well give them a bye.. Cle/Washington will be the most lop-sided. Orlando might take one game only if Detroit gets bored.. it's hard to sweep a team. My beloved Raptors are facing the Nets in a matchup that is made for television and the media. The ACC will be a madhouse, and Raps fans will get their vindication. Bulls/Heat, most highly contested 1st round match-up in the East. Bulls gave them a decent run last year w/o home, with a worse team, and with a better Miami team.. now Bulls have everything in their favor, Bulls take it.

Rd.2:
Cleveland > Toronto in 7
Det > Chicago in 7 games

I hope this doesn't hold true as a Raps fan, but they first have to prove they can win on the road, something they haven't done yet.. Detroit and Chicago, Ben vs. former team.. Detroit is the cream of the crop in the East, but the gap has narrowed considerably compared to their Finals runs. Detroit back to the EC finals behind the Palace crowd. Both of these series will exemplify why you play for home in the regular season.

EC Finals:

Detroit > Cavs in 6.

Bron has to wait until Detroit dismantles a bit or Cleveland gets one or two more pieces before going to the Finals. (and Miami's getting older) Cavs enjoy the easiest road to the conference finals of any team, but find that they're playing much tougher competition.

------------------------------------
WEST:

(1) Dallas > (8) GS. 4-2
(2) Suns > (7) Lakers. 4-1
(3) Spurs > (6) Nuggets. 4-1
(5) Rockets > (4) Jazz. 4-3

I give GS 2 games cuz they're a great home squad, and have played Dallas well the past 2 seasons. Suns and Spurs shouldn't have much of a problem, they breeze through. Rockets and Jazz is a tossup for me, Jazz are deep and have all the tools, Rockets are really well-coached and have two of the best players in the league.. I think when it comes down to the end, they'll have more players to make plays.. I give Rockets edge with the home advantage in what should be one of the best series of the first round.

Rd. 2

Dallas > Rockets in 6.
Spurs > Suns in 6.

Dallas has no answer for Yao Ming victimizing their bigs, but Rockets run out of gas after an exhausting first round match. I want Nash to win a championship, but i'll go with the popular vote.

WC Finals

Spurs > Dallas in 7.

Spurs get revenge for last year, shocking the 20K Dallas fans on their home floor.

FINALS:

Spurs > Det in 6.

Spurs win in another classic installment of one of the most boring matchups in NBA Finals history.