Playoff Predictions

Well, about 3 quarters or so of the season has been completed, and I think this would be a good time to start thinking about the playoff picture. Personally, I don`t really like predictions too much, but there is some pretty solid evidence based on the way teams have been playing lately. Any late runs or slumps can change everything, but as long as everything goes the way they are expected, here`s my predictions for the playoffs:

East:

1. Cleveland

2. Orlando

3. Boston

4. Atlanta

5. Toronto

6. Miami

7. Chicago

8. Charlotte

Based on Boston`s recent play, I don`t think they will really step up their level of play until the playoffs actually start, so an Orlando resurgence is not unlikely. They have looked pretty good together recently, but in order to build a decent lead over Boston, Vince Carter has to become the player Otis Smith traded for. 

Toronto should return to their surprising winning ways once Chris Bosh returns from his injury, so I think they will maintain the 5th seed going into the postseason. Look for Dwayne Wade to also add a spark to his team too. The All-Star Game MVP has to go back into MVP-mode though if they want to move past the 1st round, which would be against Boston if my guess` are right.

Leaving out Milwaukee is a tough one, especially with their 7-3 record over the past 10 games, but Charlotte has also been playing hard lately, trying to make this season the first one in the short franchise history to make the playoffs. Stephan Jackson, Gerald Wallace, and Tyrus Thomas have all been great surprises this year, and I would love to see them put their 3-1 record against Cleveland to the test.

West:

1. L.A. Lakers

2. Dallas

3. Denver

4. Utah

5. Oklahoma City

6. Phoenix

7. San Antonio

8. Portland

Not much to be said about the Western Conference. Dallas has been playing much better lately, not that it`s surprising anyone. Caron Butler, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Brendan Haywood, it`s a pretty decent roster. OKC has been playing great all season, and look for them to continue to play at a high level all the way till the postseason.