NBA PLAYOFF PICTURE

The NBA Playoff picture is beginning to form. Now that the trade deadline has passed, it is easier to see which teams have packed it in, and which teams are fighting for a playoff berth. Below is the current playoff situation, and my predictions.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
1) Cleveland - They are all but locked into the number 1 seed.
2) Orlando - Currently lead Boston by 1.5 games. I expect Boston to take over the 2 seed.
3) Boston - See above.
4) Atlanta - Trails Boston by half a game for the 3 seed. I expect them to stay put.
5) Toronto - Leads Chicago by 1.5 games. I don't see MY Bulls taking this spot.
6) Chicago - Lead Milwaukee by 1.5 games, but I think that they end up in the 7th spot.
7) Milwaukee - Rolling with Salmons in the line-up. 4 straight wins. Expect them to move up.
8) Miami - Tied with the Bucks. I think they lose the 8 spot. D-Wade leaves the beach.
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9) Charlotte - Trail Miami by 1 game. A healthy T. Chandler from making the playoffs. 8 seed.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:
Philadelphia, Detroit, and Washington (All trail by 6+ games).


WESTERN CONFERENCE
1) LA Lakers - This is a top 5 team without Kobe. Now that he is back. 1 seed is wrapped up.
2) Denver - Lead Utah by half a game. I expect Utah to take over this spot. 4 seed.
3) Utah - See above.
4) Dallas - Streaking to 5 straight wins. I expect them to climb to the 3 seed, right behind Utah.
5) Phoenix - Huge win over OKC. Lead by 1.5 games. They will hold off the young Thunder.
6) Oklahoma City - A scary team come play-off time. I see them slipping to the 7 seed.
7) San Antonio - Not a contender anymore, but they won't go easy. I see them climbing to 6.
8) Portland - Where would they be without injuries? They will stay at 8.
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9) New Orleans - 3 games back. The 2nd best PG in the NBA (maybe), will get a lottery pick.
10) Memphis - 3.5 games back. The surprise team, will make a push and miss out by 2 games.
11) Houston - 4 games back. This roster has over-achieved, but will be back strong next year.


THE PLAYOFF PICKS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
First Round:
Cleveland over Charlotte (5 games)
Toronto over Atlanta (UPSET PICK - 7 games)
Boston over Chicago (6 games)
Orlando over Milwaukee (5 games)

Second Round:
Cleveland over Toronto (6 games)
Boston over Orlando (7 games)

Eastern Conference Finals:
Cleveland over Boston (7 games - I picked Boston before the season)

WESTERN CONFERENCE
First Round:
LA Lakers over Portland (5 games)
Denver over Phoenix (7 games)
Utah over Oklahoma City (6 games)
Dallas over San Antonio (5 games)

Second Round:
LA Lakers over Denver (6 games)
Dallas over Utah (7 games)

Western Conference Finals:
LA Lakers over Dallas (6 games)

NBA FINALS:
Cleveland over LA Lakers (7 games)

A lot of things will likely change in the final 25 games of the regular season. I will update my playoff picks when the seeding is final.