NBA Playoffs: Now the real ball starts

Like what every NBAer would say, the real NBA Basketball is about to start as the 2010 NBA Playoffs pits the last 16 teams standing. Here is a rundown of the teams and some added notes.

HOW THE BEAST OF THE EAST WILL RISE

Cleveland Cavaliers (61 - 21) vs. Chicago Bulls (41 - 41)

It really seems not good to see great talents of Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich and Joakim Noah go to waste. Last year they battled the Celtics to one of the best series in NBA history with Ben Gordon still in the fold, but now it seems like the Bulls are staring at a first round sweep. Coach Mike Brown rested the Cavs in the last four games of regular season in time for a masterful performance in the play offs. Anything more than four games in this series will be a let down for the Cavs.

Orlando Magic (59 - 23) vs. Charlotte Bobcats (44 - 38)

Everyone knows what the Magic will do but is difficult to stop. First they will go to superman inside who will either give them a hook or a rim rattling dunk. If double teamed he will pass the ball to either JJ Reddick, Mikael Pietrus, Rashard Lewis or anyone else who would calmly sink a three. They are one of the hottest teams going into the play-offs and have been playing together since January. On the other hand, the Bobcats will rely on the tandem of Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson to carry them through which I believe will not be enough as the series will definitely be done in 5 games.

Atlanta Hawks (53 - 29) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (46 - 36)

Mike Bibby is someone who can definitely turn a team around if he has the right team mates. With Al Horford inside together with Joe Johnson and Josh Smith scoring tons of points the Hawks are flying high again. With Bibby orchestrating, it would be a nice match-up of old and new as he is now going up against rookie sensation Brandon Jennings who is now the Buck's chief playmaker. Andrew Bogut is out and so will the Bucks if they dont find an answer to the high flying Hawks. Hawks in five.

Boston Celtics (50 - 32) vs. Miami Heat (47 - 35)

Hunger must play a part for both of these teams. The Celtics are the 2008 champs while the Heat the 2006 champs. But who wants to win it again? The Celtics have infused new blood, old blood to that as Rasheed Wallace and Michael Finley are now wearing green and would easily help out in spelling the big three. Rajon Rondo on the other hand is the one who could spell the ups and downs of the Celtics because if he fails to hold the fort for the Celts they will be in disarray.

HOW THE WEST WILL BE WON

Los Angeles Lakers (57 - 25) vs. Oklahoma Thunder (50 -32)

Kobe vs Kevin...and the rest will be left on the supporting cast which the Lakers are surely superior. Kobe was rested for most part of the last 10 games of the Lakers simply because he had an assortment of injuries. But then again these are injuries that superstars can play with. Broken finger, sprained ankles are excusable for the great one. But looking at the Thunder, they seem to be out for a good fight which I think will last for six games.

Dallas Mavericks ( 55 - 27) vs. San Antonio Spurs (50 - 32)

All eyes are on the Mavs and all teams are avoiding them in the first round. The addition of Caron Butler gives the Mavs another scoring option while the Spurs have a revitalized crew with Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess in tow. Jason Kidd is the key player in this team as Dirk Nowitzki will definitely get his numbers while Shawn Marion will be the defensive stopper who will check Manu Ginobli. Tim Duncan's age is now showing and the team will definitely rely on GInobli and TOny Parker for offense. But since they are a team that goes in first and out second, look for their shooters to bury the shots. This one will definitely go seven games and even though I am a Spurs fan I feel that the Mavs will advance this time.

Phoenix Suns (54 - 28) vs. Portland Trailblazers (50 - 32)

First it was Greg Oden doing a Sam Bowie or is it Bill Walton. Then Joey Przybillia and now its Brandon Roy. So what does that mean? A Phoenix first round win. The undersized Suns will definitely advance but not without a fight from the Trail Blazers who has a renewed confidence since Marcus Camby came in. Lamarcus Aldridge, Rudy Fernandez and Andre Miller will definitely have to run back and defend the high octane offense of the suns. Look for Steve Nash to punish the Blazers as he looks left for a pass to Amare Stoudemire or look right o Jason Richardson, both passes will definitely end with a slam dunk. Suns will be playing small ball which will be matched by the physical play of the Blazers but I think the Sun will rise after 5 games.

Denver Nuggets (53 - 29) vs. Utah Jazz (53 - 29)

Not only will this become the most exciting series, i believe this one will go down the wire. The match-up of Deron Williams and Chauncey Billups is a sight to behold. Both are clutch hitters and can carry their team to the promised land so everything will depend on their supporting cast. Carmelo Anthony is simply a sensational player that will be hard to stop for the Jazz. Carmelo's middle name is actually Scorer and he can beat you with an array of ways and score points easily. The only concern with the Jazz is that they can't play to their familiar Jazz tunes with Andrei Kirilenko sitting on the bench nursing an injury and Carlos Boozer is not 100%. Unfortunately for the Jazz, I feel that it would only be Derron Williams brilliance who will be able to push this to 7 games but I don't see them winning.