It’s that time of the year again. The NBA Playoffs 2009 start this saturday and it’s promising to be a very exciting one. Some really intresting matchups.

Cavaliers vs Pistons
Everybody’s saying that the Pistons are done. Time to rebuild, trade or whatever. That might be the case, but right now, they’ll have a  series to play. People are quick to say “Cavs will sweep” but don’t count Detroit out just yet. While the I give the Cavs the advantage I expect Detroit to put up a good fight. This series might even go to seven games. (WUT?) Detroit is not what they used to be but I expect them to turn it up in the playoffs. They are still a very good defensive team without Chauncey. I don’t know the latest in the Iverson soap but even without him I expect Detroit to go hard.

Celtics vs Bulls
As I’m writing this post I hear about the news that Kevin Garnett might miss the playoffs. Huuuuuuge blow for the Celtics right there. Pierce and Allen might get The Celtics past Chicago but I think they’ll need the leadership of Garnett to make it back to the finals. Without Garnett The Celtics won’t have their best interor  and defensive player. Granted The Celtics did a great job this season when he was injured but I really can’t see the Celtics make it back to the finals right now. Too bad really, as a basketball fan you want every team going into the playoffs with a healthy roster.

Magic vs 76′ers
Nobody is gonna stop Superman this series. Dwight is gonna have a field day against Philly. Only chance Philly has is to play a really up-tempo game. Just run, run, run. A.I and Miller need to bring their A-game and Thad Young needs to step up like he did this season. But it doesn’t look good for the Sixers and I expect a sweep.

Hawks vs Heat
This is really a toss-up series. This could go either way. I can see D-Wade go crazy this series. He basically has to for the Heat to be serious contenders. The Hawks are looking real solid. Remember, they took Bosten to a seven games series last season. But the problem for the Hawks is: who do you put on Dwayne Wade? Put Joe Johnson on him and risk that Joe gets into early foul trouble? These are questions the Hawks will have to answer.

Lakers vs Jazz
Last season, people said the Lakers weren’t physical enough. Well, they’ll have a chance to get real physical this series against the Jazz. They’ll need to. Because Boozer and Milsap are gonna push, shove and hold all games long. There are gonna be technical fouls given every single game this series, book it. I don’t really give Utah a chance but the Lakers will have some tough times in Salt Lake. Oh yeah, before I forget. BYNUM’s back baby!!!!

Nuggets vs Hornets
This is a close one. I could see either team take this series. To me, the Hornets peaked last season. They haven’t looked good all season long. Scott just puts too much preasure on Paul. Now he has to distribute the ball AND score. That’s just too much. He can’t keep that up all Playoffs long. The other guys will have to step up.
The Nuggest got the second seed? Hold up, the Nuggets? Who woulda thought that. The Chauncey Billups deal really helped the Nuggets it getting a true point guard. Billups really stabilized that team. With the improved play of the Nuggets bench, they are looking real good.

Spurs vs Mavs
The Spurs are getting old. And it shows. Everybody was waiting for that ’second half of the season run’ the Spurs allways have. They kick it up after the all-star break and finish the season 34-6. Well not this time. Manu’s out for the season and Timmy isn’t feeling well. Still, I expect the Spurs to take this series. Nobody can stop Duncan in the post and Parker is gonna have  a monster series against Jason Kidd. Cuban must be furious again.

Blazers vs Rockets
Perhaps the most exciting matchup in the first round. Will the Rockets finally get out the first round? Are the Blazers letting the league know they can ball with the big boys now? Props to Nate McMillan for his job. He did a great job making all these guys play as a team. And with a legit superstar in Brandon Roy, and a somewhat big man with potential. (Oden) The Blazers future is looking really bright. The question is, will that future start in the 2009 playoffs, or not?