With the first round of the NBA Playoffs only starting one day, NBA blogs and professional NBA analysts are quickly making their predictions about who will win in each of the first round series.
Some will be using their knowledge of that game that uses statisical facts and figures. Some will have the insider knowledge that only comes from playing in the NBA.
We here at That NBA Lottery Pick have neither so we had to go with the next best thing, our Magic 8 Ball. To answer, each playoff query, we will ask the Magic 8 Ball who will win each series and hopefully get a response from it. To factor in the seeding, we will give the team with the higher seed, the benefit of the doubt and will ask the Magic 8 Ball if they will win the series.
Here we go:
Western Conference First Round
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Oklahoma City Thunder
With Phil Jackson planting the mind-seed into the head of Kevin Durant, it would appear that the Lakers would have the upper hand in this series.
The response from our Magic 8 Ball: "Without a Doubt"
8 Ball Pick: Los Angeles Lakers
(2) Dallas Mavericks vs. (7) San Antonio Spurs
In this Texas Two-Step, we have the old-guard in the San Antonio Spurs with Tim Duncan, Manu, and Tony Parker. Then we have a young-gun team in the Dallas Mavericks with Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Caron Butler, and the never-aging Jason Kidd.
On first glance it would appear that the Mavericks would have the upper hand in the series.
The response from our Magic 8 Ball: "Yes, Defintely"
8 Ball Pick: Dallas Mavericks
(3) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers
The 3/6 matchup out west is a rather interesting one between the Phoenix Suns and he Portland Trailblazers. Most left the Suns for dead for the beginning of the season and many people though that Portland couldn't survive their injury bug.
I'd would assume that Phoenix would have the upper hand based on health.
The response from our Magic 8 Ball: After getting a "Concentrate And Ask Again", "Cannot Predict Now" and a "Ask Again Later", we finally got our answer, "Outlook Not So Good"
8 Ball Pick: Portland Trail Blazers
(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Utah Jazz
The two teams that many people expected to be at the top of the Western Conference at the end of the season are duking it out for the right to play the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Jazz aren't a great road team and the Nuggets are playing for their head coach, so we'd assume Denver would have the upper hand.
The response from our Magic 8 Ball: "Signs Point to Yes"
8 Ball Pick: Denver Nuggets
Eastern Conference First Round
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Chicago Bulls
On paper, this appears to be the easiest first round between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls. However, that's what many people through of the 1994 first round match-up between the Seattle Supersonics and the Denver Nuggets.
The Cavaliers have a hungry Lebron James and the Bulls have inter-office turmoil between head coach, Vinny Del Negro and general manager, John Paxson. It would appear that Cleveland should cake-walk through this series.
The response from our Magic 8 Ball: "You May Rely On It"
8 Ball Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers
(2) Orlando Magic vs. (7) Charlotte Bobcats
The Orlando Magic/Charlotte Bobcats match-up is a interesting one at first glance. Orlando seems battle-tested enough to win the series but Charlotte has a solid group of veterans and can throw many big bodies at Dwight Howard.
It would seem to me that the playoff experience leads to the Magic to the win.
The response from our Magic 8 Ball: "Most Likely"
8 Ball Pick: Orlando Magic
(3) Atlanta Hawks vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks
The Hawks/Bucks match-up looked like it would be a series to remember until Bucks center Andrew Bogut broke his arm.
The Bucks have talented players such as Jerry Stackhouse, John Salmons, and Young-Gun Brandon Jennings. Some would say that Atlanta's experience gives them the edge in this series.
The response from our Magic 8 Ball: "Very Doubtful"
8 Ball Pick: Milwaukee Bucks
(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Miami Heat
The Celtics/Heat series is a match-up of two former NBA Champions who appear to be on their last legs at the moment.
The Celtics have faded fast in the regular season and Miami is a one-man show with Dwayne Wade. Some would say the Celtics will eeked this one out.
The Response from our Magic 8 Ball: "Most Likely"
8 Ball Pick: Boston Celtics
For what the second round match-ups would look like according to the Magic 8 Ball:
Western Conference
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (4) Denver Nuggets
(2) Dallas Mavericks vs. (6) Portland Trailblazers
Eastern Conference
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Boston Celtics
(2) Orlando Magic vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks
So there, you have it. We didn't have to use any complicated formulas or even sit on the bench in the NBA to give rock-solid predictions. Now, go out there and watch those games.