Cleveland (1) vs. Detroit (8)

Comments: The Cavs won the season series 3-1 and should have no problem dismissing an under .500 Pistons squad – the only such team that made the postseason. It's safe to say the Chauncey Billups/Allen Iverson trade didn't work out too well for the Pistons. It's pretty sad he's unwilling to come off the bench even for a team that made the playoffs. Anyway, Cleveland is rested and healthy and ready to make a deep run in 2009.

Prediction: Cavs 4-0

Boston (2) vs. Chicago (7)

Comments: Boston went 2-1 against Chicago this year, yet the Bulls' one win came during their most recent matchup and after Chicago had made its trade for John Salmons and Brad Miller. The Bulls enter playing well, but they are the worst road team in the postseason, posting a 13-28 record this year. The Derrick Rose versus Rajon Rondo matchup should be fun to watch. Obviously, the big story with the defending champs is the loss of KG, but they have persevered without him this season, and while it will eventually catch up to them, they can get past the Bulls regardless.

Prediction: Celtics 4-1

Orlando (3) vs. Philadelphia (6)

Comments: Orlando won the season series 3-0, and although it was impressive the 76ers were able to make the postseason getting nothing from Elton Brand, the team entered the year with much higher expectations. The Brand signing turned out to be an utter disaster. This is yet another lopsided first round matchup in the East.

Prediction: Magic 4-1

Atlanta (4) vs. Miami (5)

Comments: The Hawks won the season series 3-1, although one of the wins came Tuesday when Miami sat Dwyane Wade. After winning just 15 games last season, Miami improved to 43-39 this year. While Atlanta is solid, Michael Beasley is coming on, and Wade will easily be the best player on the court. He'll be the difference.

Prediction: Heat 4-2

Los Angeles (1) vs. Utah (8)

Comments: The Lakers were 2-1 against Utah this season, and the already underdog Jazz suffered a blow when Mehmet Okur injured his hamstring this week, leaving his status questionable. Utah is certainly no slouch for an eighth seed, but this Lakers team is absolutely loaded and isn't likely to get pushed in round one.

Prediction: Lakers 4-1

Denver (2) vs. New Orleans (7)

Comments: The teams tied the season series 2-2 this year, and Denver enters as a somewhat vulnerable two seed. The team has been eliminated in the first round in five consecutive seasons, and Carmelo Anthony has never made it to the second round during his career. Still, the team became much improved when it jettisoned Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups.

Prediction: Nuggets 4-3

San Antonio (3) vs. Dallas (6)

Comments: The season series was tied 2-2, but the big news here is Manu Ginobili's (ankle) absence. Since he's probably one of the 20 best players in the league, San Antonio's ceiling dropped significantly, but they still have homecourt advantage over the surging Dallas squad. Moreover, the Spurs have a pretty large coaching edge.

Prediction: Spurs 4-3

Portland (4) vs. Houston (5)

Comments: The Rockets won the season series 2-1, and this figures to be a hotly contested matchup. The Trail Blazers made the playoffs for the first time since 2003, which ended the longest drought in the NBA. Portland enters riding a six-game winning streak, but Houston has been a much better team without Tracy McGrady.

Predictions: Rockets 4-3