After 82 games of basketball, the match-ups for the NBA Playoffs are finally set. We as fans, are now set to embark on on the long journey that is the NBA Playoffs.  The first games begin April 18th and the Finals will conclude some time in early June (TBD). This year will be missing a few mainstay players that we expect to see in the Playoffs every year (Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal, Manu Ginobili and now possibly Kevin Garnett). Doc Rivers this morning said that Kevin Garnett’s return is questionable for the entire playoffs. “He’s not going to be ready. After watching him practice, there’s no way,” Rivers said on WEEI-AM. “The way I saw him move today, I don’t know if he’ll be ready.” This is a major blow to the defending NBA champions chances of repeating and opens the door for many of the NBA’s young shining stars to grab the reins and win a title. Here is my 1st round series match-up breakdowns and who will move on to the next round:

Western Conference:

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz:This could be a surprisingly tough first round match-up for the Los Angeles Lakers. Utah is extremely tough to beat at home (33-8) and the Lakers have no match for Deron Williams at the Point Guard position. However, with the return of Andrew Bynum and the ever present “Black Mamba” Kobe Bryant the Lakers will simply be too large on the front-line and Kobe is the best closer in the NBA. Prediction: Lakers in 6

#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets: This match-up is more evidence of how deep the Western Conference has become. Has there ever been a more equal match-up in a #2 vs. #7 in the history of the NBA? Denver’s acquisition of Chauncey Billups was huge for a team that traditionally can’t get out of the 1st round. However, Chris Paul has the quickest hands in Basketball on defense which will annoy Billups throughout the series. Carmelo Anthony has something to prove as Lebron and D-Wade continue to garner the most attention from their draft class. The teams split their regular season series 2-2. Prediction: New Orleans in 7

#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks: Over the last few weeks we have all seen the chinks in the Spurs armor. Tim Duncan is slowing down considerably and recently had to be pulled from a game because he couldn’t bend down to grab a rebound. This is bad news for the Spurs who have already lost Manu Ginobili for the entire postseason. Dallas is finally all healthy with Josh Howard and Jason Terry returning strong from injuries. I have learned to never underestimate Tim Duncan and Tony Parker over the years, but they just don’t have enough without Manu. Prediction: Dallas in 7

#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets: The young up and coming Trailblazers run into a great defensive team in the Rockets in the 1st round. Quietly, Portland has amassed the 2nd best home record in the Western Conference (34-7). Houston will rely heavily on the “Great Wall of China” Yao Ming for offense in this series. Brandon Roy is becoming one of the best all-around players in the NBA and Portland can go 11 deep if necessary (Jerryd Bayless is the 11th man) andin a 7 game series depth is important. Prediction: Portland in 6

Eastern Conference:

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons: Its all about King James in this series. Trading away Chauncey Billups seemed to age the Pistons dramatically. Richard Hamilton is the only player that plays with any intensity on this team anymore. Expect multiple Technical Fouls out of Rasheed Wallace, due to them being blown out every game. Lebron and crew do some spring cleaning in this series. Prediction: Cleveland in 4

#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls: This will be a great match-up of young exciting Point Guards in Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo. Ben Gordon will be expected to score a lot of points and hit clutch shots down the stretch to have a shot even if the Celtics are without KG. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce know how to get it done in the Playoffs. Prediction: Celtics in 5

#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers: Believe it or not this may turn out to be the best 1st round series in the East. Orlando limps into the Playoffs losing 3 out of their last 4 games to some dismal teams (New Jersey, New York, and Milwaukee). To pull the upset, the venerable Andre Miller will have to control the point of attack. This series will be the 1st time that the team really feels the loss of Jameer Nelson. Rafer Alston has some decent skills, but he can easily lose his head in tough situations. However, Dwight Howard’s interior dominance (20.6 ppg 13.8 rpg and 2.9 bpg) will stop the penetration of Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala. Prediction: Orlando in 6

#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat: I can not underscore the importance of experience when it comes to the Playoffs and Atlanta taking the eventual NBA Champion Boston Celtics to 7 games last year helps them tremendously coming into this postseason. Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasley are going to be good players but it is tough for rookies to persevere during playoff time. Dwayne Wade is a freak of nature the way he has come back from his injuries and will likely win a couple of games on his own. The veteran leadership of Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson will help Atlanta pull through in this series. Prediction: Atlanta in 7

With all this being said, grab a nice chair, some popcorn, and your favorite beverage and enjoy! As KG said last year, Anything Is Possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!