Here are my predictions, been putting them together since last night.
EAST -
Cleveland 4 - Chicago 0
Cleveland is just too much for Chicago who just barely made it in with a .500 record.
Orlando 4 - Charlotte 1
Orlando has too many weapons for Charlotte, but they do have some talent and will steal a game, possibly even 2 in Charlotte.
Atlanta 4 - Milwaukee 0
Atlanta is good, really good and isn't going to lose at home IMO. Milwaukee doesn't have much of a team, no Bogut and Salmons and Jennings can't carry the team without some help. Milwaukee could steal one, but Atlanta should sweep them.
Boston 4 - Miami 3
Miami has underperformed this year IMO, I was expecting a lot from them, but Boston hasn't lived up to expectations either at all. This is the only series in the East in the 1st round that is actually going to be worth watching.
__________________
WEST -
LA 4 - OKC 3
You can say they have been laying back, but that's hardly true. The just won the West by 2 games, they haven't took their foot off the peddle, they've struggled more than anything...Kobe's numbers are down I believe and is showing some wear, along with the bench too. Durant just won the scoring title and has been unstoppable these past few weeks, along with a very fired up OKC crowd, I think this is going to 7 - though the Lakers could take it in 5/6.
Dallas 4 - SA 1
This is around that time that the Spurs turn it on, but these aren't the old Spurs, but an older Spurs. Dallas is hot, really hot, Dallas has taken 3 out of 4 from SA this year and pretty sure Dallas has taken the Spurs out the past two times..the playoffs won't be any different. This isn't just Spurs hate, Dallas is a team to be reckoned with, I dread the thought of PHX getting them in the 2nd round. The Spurs could get 2, maybe 3, but no way Dallas doesn't win this series IMO.
PHX 4 - Portland 1
Yes, they're my favorite team and I was going to pick them no matter what....but this team is good this year, really good and they're hot coming into the playoffs. They've lost just 6 games since the all-star break, won 14 of their last 16 and just dominated Denver by 22 and Utah by 16 the past two days. They're defense has picked up dramatically, while still averaging 110 a game. Stat is 3rd in scoring in the NBA since the break, Nash hasn't slowed down and their bench has been great...then they should get Lopez back soon, watch out, this is the hottest team in the West...that's not homer talk, that's a fact. With that said, Portland has taken 2 out of 3 from the Suns this year, they could very easily take 2 from them...maybe 3, in a game of matchups, Portland could do it.
Denver 4 - Utah 3
This series could go either way, really looking forward to it. Denver has fallen off, don't know what to think of them. I don't see Utah losing at home, that place is insane and I think they could steal one in Denver...but to be honest, this could go either way, I'm just guessing.
