Cramer: 1st Round Predictions

The regular season is finally over and it's time to start the playoffs. Some people complain about how long the first round takes, but this year there won't be much to complain about. With the vast depth of talent in the West, and the top heavy East, we're looking at a 1st round that could be one of the best of all times. Let's take a look at how I believe it is going to shape up:

1st Round: East

#1 Cavs vs. #8 Bulls
The Bulls snuck in the playoffs, but there's no reason to believe that this team isn't talented. When healthy, they were the 5th best team in the East. Now that they've gotten all of their players back from injury, they're looking to "shock the World" (in the words of Noah) in the first round. I don't see it happening, but that's not to say that it won't happen. The Cavs haven't played their rotation players all together in what feels like forever, and that could take a toll on them. If they lose game 1 (which they might while trying to reincorporate Shaq), then we may have a series. If not... don't change your plans to watch any of these games.
Prediction: Cavs in 5

#2 Magic vs. #7 Bobcats
This isn't the best match-up the 'Cats could have gotten in the first round, and I think it will show in this series. The Magic have been HOT since the all-star break, and don't show any signs of letting up. The Bobcats have the talent to hang around in some of these games, but I don't know that they can actually win any of them. If they can pull one out in Orlando, they may be able to pull off a massive upset, but they won't. They might get lucky and win one in front of Michael Jordan in Charlotte, but they won't.
Prediction: Magic in 4

#3 Hawks vs. #6 Bucks
With Bogut in the line-up, this may have been the series to watch in the East. The Hawks are a good young team, but they haven't exactly proven themselves in the playoffs yet (see: last year's whooping at the hands of the Cavs in the second round). However, the Bucks just don't have the team to match-up with Atlanta for 7 games. Jennings will come on ready to put on a show, as will John Salmons, but they'll be easily countered by Johnson, Smith, and Crawford. We may see a good series, but nothing surprising will come out of it.
Prediction: Hawks in 6

#4 Celtics vs. #5 Heat
The Celtics have had the Dwyane Wade's number this year, and it's unlikely that that will change here. However, I'm going to go against the odds. Dwyane Wade is out to prove he's as good as LeBron, and to do that he's got to win a play-off series on his own team (if not 3, see: LeBron takes Cavs to finals with Sasha Pavlovic and Eric Snow starting). The Celtics just aren't the same team they were 2 years ago. Wade will outduel whichever of the Celtics "stars" shows up on any given night, and for that reason they will pull off the upset here.
Prediction: Heat in 6


Check back later for the good part of the playoffs: The 1st round in the West. We have some amazing match-ups out there. Come see what I have to say about them.