thunder vs. rockets: intriguing series dealing with harden against his old team if anything. thunder must show resolve and show that "eye of the tiger" and i think the rockets will be the first victim. harden will help the team win one but that is it. westbrook and durant will go off. Thunder in 5

spurs vs. lakers: this match tends to make me think the nba is fixed. however, it is what it is. spurs have fizzled for whatever reason in the playoffs. true, there were some matchup problems with certain teams and injury issues but i dont think that will be an excuse this time. howard has to show how good he is this series and prove he is an elite center. dantoni has some pressure off him with what is surrounding him but he has to make this a series and with gasol and howard he should. but i think spurs is a better team and better coached. Spurs in 6

nuggets vs. warriors: this is, to me, the most exciting matchup in the wets only because these are "old school" teams, well, pretty much their counterpart in the late 80's early 90's with the don nelson/doug moe offense. this is the only series that will average well in triple points. great athletes and offensive players. great series and it will be close. nuggets have many injury problems which will give them problems. also curry is a force to reckon with and the best player on the court this series. he will singlehandedly win games. however, homecourt for denver is huge. they are unpredictable with a team concept that works. Nuggets in 7

clippers vs. grizzlies: another good series. chris paul, to me, solidifies himself as the best point guard on the planet and he will show it in this series. the grizzlies have size and defense but paul will find a way to expose them and he will seek revenge for last year. the only question mark is blake griffen, who had health problems the last week of the season. they need him to help in the paint against gasol and randolph. i think he will be fine though. Clippers in 6

heat vs. bucks: this will be the series that will be forgotten. the bucks did decent to end the season but this is miami who are focused. they will not mess around. they will crush them. Miami sweeps

knicks vs. celtics: this isnt a real ideal matchup for the knicks on paper. pierce is a certified knicks killer and garnett is a monster in the playoffs. however, the only way the knicks lose is because of injury or they are an enemy of themselves. They have better talent and more size than the celtics which is huge. not to mention a focus and hungry melo, this series should be a wrap. if they had rondo, then it would be a problem but they dont so we should win. if we dont, we have problems for next year. Knicks in 5

pacers vs. hawks: this is another case of the haves and have nots. i am very surprised that the hawks have made the playoffs and with the seed they got. hawks have some talent and josh smith will make a great effort to show that he is worth the max. however, no legit size to compete with the pacers who have the most size upfront in the east will stifle them.Pacers in 5

nets vs. bulls: i think this is the best series in the east, hands down. on paper, the nets have the supreme talent but the bulls have suffocating defense and their players are well coached and disciplined. without rose and some cases noah, they have beaten the best teams in the nba. they will step up here. however, deron williams have been a beast after all star break. he has the spotlight on him and he will flourish. plus with lopez and jojo, they have better talent that will shine during the series.Nets in 7

1) Miami vs 8) Milwaukee: - Miami in 4.

2) New York vs 7) Boston: - New York in 5.

3) Indiana vs 6) Atlanta: - Indiana in 6.

4) Brooklyn vs 5) Chicago: - Brooklyn in 6.

WEST:

1) Oklahoma vs 8) Houston: - Oklahoma in 6.

2) San Antonio vs 7) Lakers: - San Antonio in 6.

3) Denver vs 6) Golden State: - Denver in 7.

4) Clippers vs 5) Memphis: - Clippers in 6.