NBA Playoff Festival 2009

The NBA playoffs began last Saturday (4/18) and we will take a look at the different 1st round match-ups and keys to victory for each team. Click here for playoff match-ups and bracket.

Eastern Conference

#1 Cleveland vs. #8 Detroit

Cleveland: The Cavs look great this season and are hungry for a championship. The fans and players will be disappointed with anything less than a championship. To beat Detroit, the Cavs will need to dominate inside the paint with Rasheed Wallace back in the lineup playing center.

Detroit: The Pistons have one of the deepest benches in the League and will have to wear down the Cavs in order to beat them. They don't have anyone who really matches up with LeBron, but if they can send in enough guys so that he always has pressure on him or is double teamed for most of the game, Lebron may find himself in a game where he begins to take poor shots from around the arc and making only half or fewer of what he usually does.

#4 Atlanta vs. #5 Miami

Atlanta: The Hawks have an amazing defense and match up well with the Heat's quick ofefnse. forcing turnovers by the Heat will lead to the hawks taking this series. the Hawks need a big series from Al Harford and Joe Johnson.

Miami: Miami has become pretty dependent on their star Wade to keep thier team in the running. If they get him the ball like they have been and feed him quick options and outlets, the team should click and will be unstoppable.

#3 Orlando vs. #6 Philadelphia

Orlando: The Magic are starting to get their team back from injuries and just in time for the playoffs. Once the Magic get back in sync as a team, they should be able to dominate the lack of depth and experience of the Sixers. Dwight Howard taking shots from inside and Lewis from around the preimeter could prove a deadly combo against the Sixers.

Philadelphia: To beat the Magic, the 76ers need to continue to look to their bench and wear down the Magic's starting 5. The Sixers bench is deeper than the Magic, and if they can survive the first three quarters, should be able to finish with the win.

#2 Boston vs. # 7 Chicago

Boston: Boston is at a disadvantage at the getgo with Garnett sidelined for the playoffs. Glen Davis fills in for his position pretty well but is a little slow when matched up against the speed of the Bulls center Joakim Noah. To beat the Bulls, the C's need to stick with their game and not get sucked into the scrappy quick ball of the Bulls.

Chicago: The Bulls lack experience in the playoffs and have been playing inconsistent ball. The Bulls need to look to the rookie phenom Derrick Rose to play well against the Celtics, but it will be interesting to see how Rose matches up opposite Rajon Rondo.

Western Conference

#1 Los Angeles vs. #8 Utah

Los Angeles: The Lakers are playing great ball right now period and should find themselves in the championship game this year. The Lakers match up the first round against a great but hurting Jazz team. The Jazz have played the Lakers well this season and have been one of the only teams to slow the Lakers in any regards. That is when the Jazz play at home of course. To beat the jazz, the Lakers have to win one in Salt Lake.

Utah: The Jazz took three from the Lakers last season in the playoffs and almost pulled the upset win. They are looking for revenge and are digging deep to find what they had at the beginning of this season and carrying it over into this game. The Jazz should beat the Lakers at home during the series and will have to have big games from their top players to match the energuy coming off the Laker bench.

#4 Portland vs. #5 Houston

Portland: The Trailblazers have a chance to rock the Rockets this series if they can play more aggressive than the other team. Putting pressure on Yao inside by Przybilla and Aldridge will wear yao down quickly and allow for the Blazers to force shots to be taken from the outside.

Houston: The Rockets can beat the Blazers if they play consistent basketball throughout the entire series. The Rockets have been known to slide if there is any indication that the team might not pull through with a series victory. If they pull ahead in the series, they should follow through in winning the series against the playoff inexperienced Blazers.

#3 San Antonio vs. #6 Dallas

San Antonio: San Antonio is the same San Antonio and the Mavs are the smae Mavericks. The Spurs are dangerous in the sense that they have tasted championship and know what it takes to get there. The Spurs need to play good defense and make sure that the Mavs shooters don't ever get the chance to heat up.

Dallas: The Mavericks have a good chance at beating the Spurs because they match-up well size wise and speedwise. The Mavericks have played poorly on the road and need to play well on the road to have a chance at this series. The Mavericks have a great bench and arguably the 6th man of the year in Jason Terry, who could provide a huge weapon against the defense of Tony Parker.

#2 Denver vs. #7 New Orleans

Denver: The Nuggets are on fire heading into the playoffs, with play from Billups and Anthony at their best. The Nugget bench is deep and the Nuggets are considered to have the best offense in the West. To beat the Horns, the Nuggets need to put pressure on Paul and do all they can to keep him under wraps. This will be one of the most exciting series in the playoffs.

New Orleans: The Hornets need Tyson Chandler to be healthy and play more minutes. He missed about a month and the Hornets have been feeling it without their big man. To knock off the Nuggets, the Hornets need to allow Paul to do his thing on defense against the potent Denver shooters and get Chandler the ball inside on offense.