Le Basketbawl

We are very pleased and honored that Le Basketbawl was asked by our friends at BallHype to participate in The Blogger’s Choice: NBA Playoffs 09 — Round 1 Predictions. They were revealed on Friday, as we attempt to predict what will happen in the first round of the upcoming NBA Playoffs. Here are the choices made by Le Basketbawl:

Eastern Conference

First Round

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers (8) Chicago Bulls Winner: Cleveland

(2) Boston Celtics (7) Philadelphia 76ers Winner: Boston

(3) Orlando (6) Detroit Winner : Orlando

(4) Atlanta Hawks (5) Miami Heat Winner: Miami

Best Match-ups : Cleveland should have the easiest series as their front court should dominate the Bulls even with Chicago now having Brad Miller in the pivot. The key to this series though should be the back courts as Rose and Gordon have keyed this team’s revival. They will be the first Playoff victims of Williams and West. Boston will show that they are ready for the second season as the dominate the Sixers. It will be a first round Bye-Bye for the once mighty Pistons against the Magic big men. D-Wade, Jermaine O’Neal, and Jamario Moon will get by the Hawks in the only first round upset in the East.

Western Conference

First Round

(1) L.A. Lakers (8) Utah Jazz Winners: Lakers

(2) San Antonio Spurs (7) Dallas Mavericks Winner: Spurs

(3) Portland Trail Blazers (6) Houston Rockets Winner: Portland

(4) New Orleans Hornets (5) Denver Nuggets Winner: Hornets

Best Match-ups: The Western Conference will find lots of changes from the alignment currently in the Playoff hunt. The Lakers will find little resistance from the over-matched Jazz. Dirk Nowitzki will not be near enough to get past an aging but still potent San Antonio squad. Portland will taste first round success as they go against a Rockets team that will be without T-Mac. Chauncey Billups has been the key to the Nuggets revival, but the best pure point in the Association CP-3 will lead the Hornets to victory.

Check out all the selections at The Blogger’s Choice: NBA Playoffs 09 — Round 1 Predictions