NBA Round 2.

After going 5-3 in the 1st round I am confident of going 4-0 in the second.

East

1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 4. Atlanta Hawks

It would be easy to get suckered into thinking the Hawks have a chance in this series. They took the Celtics to Game 7 last year (which actually looks less impressive given that the Bulls pushed the Celts to 7 this year) and are a year mor experienced. Mike Bibby is playing really well as is Joe Johnson. The Haks are athletic, can score and can block shots. And they are still going to get destroyed in this series.

Watching the Cavs take apart the Pistons was a thing of beauty. They were just ruthless. Usually in a sweep there are parts of games where you think the veteran team getting swept might actually min a game. Not that series. LeBron is focused and the supporting cast, especially Mo Williams are playing great. I see another sweep here.

Cavs in 4

2. Boston Celtics vs. 3 Orlando Magic

I have no idea how to handicap this one. Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe are out for the Celtics so Dwight Howard should go nuts for the Magic but I can see Big Baby David and Kendrick Perkins playing him pretty well. The Magic can hit outisde shots but the Celtics have good perimeter D with Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo. There a couple of other big questions for each team. For the Celtics can Ray Allen keep playing well and hitting all the big shots? I say yes. And what of Pierce? He looks shot right now and doesn't have his legs. I think he may have a lot of trouble in this series against Rashad Lewis and the other quick Magic guys. He just looks tires after playing so much the past two years and carrying the team with Garnett out. For the Magic will Rafer Alston be useful in this series or will Rajon Rondo eat him alive? And will the Magic keep hitting threes because if they don't they lose.

I think the Magic will hit enough 3's to stay in the series but I think eventually Rajon Rondo continuing his coming out party will get the Celtics to the Conference Finals.

Celtics in 7.

West

1. LA Lakers vs. 5. Houston Rockets

I figured the winner of the Rockets-Trail Blazers series was best equipped to give the Lakers some trouble in the west. The main reason the Rockets may make this interesting is because they have two guys, Ron Artest and Shane Battier, who can make Kobe work really hard night in, night out. He is going to score but he may get worn down. What the Rockets also have going for them is that the Lakers don't have anyone who can match up with Yao.

But ont he other hand the Rockets can't stop Pau Gasol or Lamar Odom. The Lakers are going to score over 100 a game and I just don't see the Rockets being able to match that at all. As much as they may match up on paper this one is done quick.

Lakers in 5

2. Denver Nuggets vs. 6. Dallas Mavericks

Watching the Nuggets dismantle the Hornets has me convinced they can give the Lakers a series. The main reason is the impact Chauncey Billups has had on Carmelo Anthony. Carmelo is finally playing like the well rounded player he always could be. He also doesn't have to worry about whether he is going to get the ball at the end of the game.

The most impressive thing about the Nuggets though is their interior defense. With Nene, Kenyon Martin and Chris Anderson they have three long athletic big guys who can jump out of the gym, block shots and score a lot of put back points. They are scary as hell to play against and willl keep Dirk Nowitzki in check. And without Nowitzki lighting it up the Mavs have no chance in this series.

Nuggets in 5.