Who's Next: NBA Playoffs kick off Saturday

The 2008 NBA Playoffs are about to begin. Kobe has led the Lakers to the #1 seed in the West and the Big 3 (Garnett, Allen and Pierce) have led Boston to the #1 seed in the East.

Here's my predictions for the first round, starting with the East.

1. Celtics vs. 8. Hawks

Atlanta may have improved with the additon of Mike Bibby, but in this series they are lambs to the slaughter. If they are able to win one game, I'd be surprised. Boston is on such a roll that I don't think they will have a challenge until the conference finals.

Celtics in 4 games

2. Pistons vs. 7. 76ers

This isn't as much of a "gimme" series as Boston's. Philadelphia, despite their record finished strong to earn the 7th seed and Andre Iguodala has finally stepped out as the one and only "A-I", but Detroit has too much for the Sixers to handle, especially what some say the most talented bench in all of the NBA.

Prediction: Pistons in 5 games.

3. Magic vs. 6. Raptors

A series featuring two of the NBA's phenoms Chris Bosh (Raptors) and Dwight Howard (Magic).

Howard has come off an unbelievable season scoring almost 21 a night and grabbing 14 (yes I said 14) rebounds a game, some say that's MVP numbers but Howard has gotten no love because the vote would most likely go to either Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, or Kevin Garnett.

Not to mention, Hedo Turkoglu, a breakthrough year for the former Sacramento King, and definite top contender for this year's Most Improved Player.

The Raptors are a good team and this will be a great series, but in the end, look for Orlando to advance.

Prediction: Magic in 6 games.

4. Cavaliers vs. 5. Wizards

There you go Gilbert Arenas, give Lebron James motivation, saying how he would love to play the Cavs, seeing as how they have been a .500 team since trading for Wally Sczerbiak, Ben Wallace, Joe Smith and Delonte West. This will be the only contested series in the first round, but look for Lebron and his new supporting cast to advance to the next round and a showdown with Boston.

Prediction: Cavaliers in six games.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Lakers vs. 8. Nuggets

This will definitely not be your regular 1 vs. 8 series. If Denver wins this series, it shouldn't even be considered an upset. In a series that is so close to call, Denver with the star power AI, Melo, Kenyon Martin, Marcus Camby versus Kobe and the resurgent Lakers especailly after winning the free agent sweepstakes getting Pau Gasol from a depressing Grizzlies franchise. This will definitely be a seven game series, but in the end the winner will be..the Lakers.

2. Hornets vs. 7. Mavericks

First off, if I had my vote, Chris Paul would be this year's MVP, his stats have been phenomenal (21 ppg and almost 12 assists a game), and through him David West, Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojakovic they have all benefited from Paul's leadership.

The Hornets definitely the surprise team in this years playoffs, gets a Mavericks team who could put an end to this Cinderella story early.

But how do you get a prime talent like Jason Kidd, and struggle against teams with winning records. For this series I have two predictions.

Predictions: Hornets in 6 games (and Avery Johnson will be fired as the Mavericks coach)

3. Spurs vs. 6. Suns

This series is a grudge match from last year everyone remembers Robert Horry body checking Steve Nash into the sideline and busting his nose. I do (it was nasty). But now this series has a new component, Shaquille O'Neal. My opinion this will be the best series in the first round and as much as I would like to pick the Suns, I got to go with the TD, Tony and the defending champs.

Prediction: Spurs in seven games

4. Jazz vs. 5. Rockets

The Rockets earned their spot in the playoffs thanks to their 20 game winning streak earlier this year, (without their star center Yao Ming no less).

The Jazz is coming off a huge season with Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams continuing to produce.

The Jazz although as good as they were at home, were terrible on the road and only because of the seeding, the Jazz will benefit and advance to face the Lake Show in the second round.

Prediction: Jazz in six games.

Next time, I will give you my predictions for the next round and my picks for this years award winners.