All Star/Olympic Break NBA & NHL Playoff Predictions

With the NBA All Star Break coinciding with beginning of the NHL Olympic Break this weekend, I thought it would be a good time to start my sports blog. It also seemed like a good time to make my playoff predictions in both the NBA and NHL. I believe the races down the stretch this year could be some of the most entertaining ever in both sports. With the Nuggets beating the not-quite-so-dominant Lakers in an embarrassing fashion twice already this year and two meetings left, the race for the top seed in the West will be fascinating to watch. In the NHL, the Atlantic, Northeast and Northwest do not have a clear idea of who will win those divisions coming into the break. All three races should remain competitive and entertaining right down to the last day. So without further ado, let's start with the NBA playoff predictions...

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18)

I really don't see the Magic, Celtics or Hawks legitimately challenging the Cavs for the top spot this year. With Shaq becoming more and more comfortable in his role on this team, the Cavs look to be relatively unstoppable as far as winning the #1 seed goes. Also, they should be pretty set up for the playoffs in a traditionally weak Eastern Conference, LeBron's seemingly infinite energy he brings every night, and the possibility of getting to rest their starters for the last week or so of the season.

2. Orlando Magic (56-26)

The race for the Southeast should be surprisingly interesting this year. The Magic look good this year, yes, but not as good as last year, and the Hawks are looking better and better, benefitting from their playoff experience they've gained the last few years. I still think the Magic have just enough to win the division again this year. But I think the Magic and Hawks races for this division over the next few years will continue to remain competitive and fun.

3. Atlanta Hawks (53-29)

This year is another year that will justify the rule change to have the top 4 teams incorporate the division winners instead of the Top 3 (which I feel the NHL should adopt). The Hawks have killed the Celtics head-to-head all year and have clearly gotten over the hump when it comes to beating them. This will transfer to overall success as well, especially this year as the Celtics seem to be showing their age more and more. However, if the Celtics make the rumored Glen Davis for DJ Augustin trade, the margin of wins between them could shrink a little, but still not be enough to swing the Celtics ahead of the Hawks.

4. Boston Celtics (51-31)

I don't really know what to say about the Celtics. This year just does not seem to be their year. They are losing games that they wouldn't have dreamed of losing 2 years ago. They are not getting any younger and their age seems to be catching up to them. They have the ability to make trades to make their roster younger, but it won't make that much of a difference by the end of this year. I still think they will have enough to win their division and close to the Hawks, but I don't see them advancing past the Conference Semi's this year.

5. Toronto Raptors (43-39)

This is my prediction of where the Raptors will finish if they don't trade Chris Bosh before the trade deadline. They still have some playoff experience on their roster and might be able to give the Celtics a little bit of a series in the first round. With the Maple Leafs being somewhat of a joke in the NHL, the Raptors are all Toronto fans have to hold on to, and it isn't much. All in all, I don't see them doing much in the playoffs overall, leading Bosh to leave the team this summer if he wasn't already traded.

6. Chicago Bulls (41-41)

The Bulls scared the crap out of everyone with their extremely lackluster start this year. But they have slowly righted the ship, and I see them finishing strong to try to preserve Vinny Del Negro's job. They gained a good amount of playoff experience last season in just one round with their epic 7-game series last spring. Last Friday's game in Atlanta gave us a preview of how entertaining a Bulls-Hawks first round series could be. Expect Derrick Rose to be electric down the stretch. I'm excited.

7. Miami Heat (39-43)

The Heat have been pretty stinkin' disappointing this year. It's like they're not even trying to give Dwyane Wade incentive to stay this offseason. However, I never like to bet against a team that has a guy like Dwyane Wade as its leader, despite his inability to spell his own first name. I look for this to be the difference between Miami and Charlotte down the stretch.

8. Charlotte Bobcats (38-44)

It looks like the Bobcats will finally conquer their demons and burst on to the Playoff scene. It seems to be between them, the Heat and the Bucks for the last two spots in the East. Neither Milwaukee nor Charlotte has any experience of participating in a playoff race late into a season, but I feel Charlotte has a slightly better team than Milwaukee, especially with Stephen Jackson in the mix. However, I feel all that Charlotte will win with this 8th playoff seed is two more home games, as Cleveland shouldn't need more than 5 games max to advance.

These finishing spots would leave us with (1) Cleveland vs. (8) Charlotte, (2) Orlando vs. (7) Miami, (3) Atlanta vs. (6) Chicago, and (4) Boston vs. (5) Toronto first round series, with Atlanta vs. Chicago being the most entertaining as it will showcase talents like Derrick Rose, Joe Johnson and Josh Smith (dunks anyone?). Howard vs. Wade will be an intriguing battle in what I think will be a pretty non-competitive series. Cleveland should have no trouble with Charlotte, and Boston vs. Torono is kind of interesting as I would have trouble predicting WHAT would happen there. Now for the West...

Other Prediction Just For Fun:

15. New Jersey Nets (8-74)

The Nets are just plain the worst team ever. And I believe they will prove that with an 8-74 record to win the season (even though they are on pace for max 7-75, see, I am giving them more credit than they have earned). They might finish even worse if they trade Devin Harris.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Los Angeles Lakers (62-20)

The Nuggets should be able to keep the race with the Lakers relatively close for the rest of the year, and I foresee continued head-to-head success for the Nuggets, but the Lakers will finish with the top seed due to the fact that they are the Lakers. David Stern would shit his britches if the Western Conference Finals didn't start in LA with the Lakers. Also, while the Nuggets have the league's best record against plus .500 teams, they continue to play down to competition and struggle against teams like Sacramento. Speaking of Sacramento, they are just one of three awful teams in the Lakers division (also Golden State and the Clippers) while the Nuggets share a division with the Blazers, surging Jazz, and the much-better-than-last-year Thunder. It all adds up to the Lakers getting the top seed.

2. Denver Nuggets (57-25)

The Nuggets had their best start to a year ever, and they will finish with their best finish ever at 57-25. This is, of course, if they can stay out of injury trouble down the stretch like they have had somewhat so far this year. I also see them, at this point, as the only legitimate threat to the Lakers in the playoffs. They have shown it with early head-to-head success this year, and they have the advantage of having played them last year in the playoffs. I think the Nuggets will beat the Lakers in the Conference Finals this year to reach their first NBA Finals ever (providing they can stay healthy, God willing).

3. Dallas Mavericks (54-28)

Shawn Marion has worked well on Dallas this season and I foresee the Mavs outlasting Utah in the race for 3rd, although Jason Kidd is almost on his last legs. Dirk Nowitzki should be able to carry Dallas the rest of the season and into the second round this year, but I see them losing to either LA or Denver there.

4. Utah Jazz (51-31)

The Jazz have been on a tear of late, but I still don't see them topping Dallas in the standings at the end of the year. They will, however be able to hold off Center-less Portland for 2nd in the Northwest Division. If Utah stays healthy, they could be dangerous in the playoffs with Deron Williams at the helm. Watch for a good amount of celebratory sugar-free juice drinking from Utah's fans if they make some noise in the playoffs.

5. Phoenix Suns (50-32)

I had to pick the Suns to win 50 games this year because I feel there needs to be more 50-win teams in the West than the East, as it is a superior conference. The Suns have had many different identities this year. They had a blazin'-hot start that I think everyone knew just wouldn't last. They beat the Nuggets in Denver (without Carmelo Anthony) last week, but overall they have been up and down. I think 5th is a good place for them to finish, and they should have a fun first round series with the Jazz, you know, except for the whole Utah part.

6. San Antonio Spurs (49-33)

The Spurs have been real bad against teams with winning records lately. Richard Jefferson does not fit into their old puzzle of a team. Based on what I have seen so far, the Spurs are nothing close to what people expected them to be this year, but I don't see them finishing below the Thunder or Blazers who are much younger and more durable. I think 6th place is all the Spurs can hope for this year.

7. Oklahoma City Thunder (46-36)

Kevin Durant is just plain incredible. And the team around him is a lot better than a lot of people know. They are worlds better than last year with a additions of rookie phenom Russell Westbrook and also rookie James Harden. I think Durant can will this batallion of youngsters past ailing Portland and into the 7th seed for the playoffs. The Thunder and Blazers have three more meetings this season (2 in Portland), with Portland winning the first meeting in OKC the first weekend of the season when they had a healthy Center. I think the Thunder will prove better down the stretch.

8. Portland Trial Blazers (45-37)

The Blazers were a popular pick this preseason to do great things in the West with Roy, Aldridge and Oden leading the way. Those overexcited predictors forgot that Oden is built like, and might actually be a 50-year old man, and could not have foreseen Joel Pryzbilla going down for the year as well. Martell Webster has been a new bright spot, and I see the Blazers outlasting the under-talented Rockets and still-a-little-too young Grizzlies for the 8th seed.

These finishing spots would leave us with (1) LA Lakers vs. (8) Portland, (2) Denver vs. (7) Thunder, (3) Dallas vs. (6) San Antonio, and (4) Utah vs. (5) Phoenix first round match-ups, all of which I think would be very entertaining. The Lakers and Blazers have cultivated somewhat of a playoff rivalry over the last decade, the Thunder have always been a tough out for the Nuggets, Dallas-San Antonio is a divisional clash with a lot of bad blood, and Deron Williams vs. Steve Nash will be the most exciting point guard matchup in the playoffs.

And now to switch gears, let's head over to the NHL...

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Washington Capitals (116 pts)

The Capitals clearly have what it takes to be very successful in the regular season. Their recent win streak is quite impressive. They have shown no quit this season which has lead to their great success. I definitely see them finishing with the number 1 seed in the East, but their team weaknesses are in defense and goaltending. This is what kills teams in the playoffs, and I fear for Capitals fans that their regular season success will not lead them to a Cup or even the Cup Finals this year.

2. New Jersey Devils (101 pts)

The Devils look primed to take the Atlantic Division with the addition of Ilya Kovalchuk and the Penguins usually saving their best for the playoffs. Kovalchuk adds a punch to the Devils offense that should push them over the top in their division and to around 100 points this season. I could see them beating the Capitals in the playoffs as I'll take an aged Martin Brodeur over Jose Theodore anyday. However, watch out for the Penguins in the playoffs, as per the last two years. A Penguins-Devils Eastern Conference Finals could be very likely and entertaining.

3. Ottawa Senators (95 pts)

The race between the Senators and the Sabres for the Northeast Division will be very fun, even though the two teams seem to be headed in opposite directions right now. The Senators have been on fire and Buffalo has been slumping hard lately. Based on the teams' recent performances, I have to pick the Senators to finish ahead of the Sabres, unless Ryan Miller has something to say about it and wins the Hart.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins (98 pts)

The Penguins are right on track to do what they did last season (that is, finish 2nd in their division and 4th in the conference only to turn into the team we know they can be in the playoffs). I look for them to position themselves to get home ice in the first round and frankly not care if they don't have it in later rounds. Fleury has proven he can play at home and on the road in the playoffs. Watch out for them.

5. Buffalo Sabres (93 pts)

Ryan Miller should be the front runner for MVP right now with what he has done for the Sabres so far. I only hope that he can continue to play in such a brilliant manner for the US team in the Olympics. If he does, however, the Sabres must hope he can hold up down the stretch. I look for the Sabres to finish close to the Senators but not quite with them. They also get a tough opening draw in the playoffs with Pittsburgh, although I don't think Pens fans will want to see Ryan Miller in the first round.

6. Philadelphia Flyers (88 pts)

To me, the Flyers have shown more to me than Tampa Bay or Montreal in terms of playing consistent hockey. They haven't shown that much overall, but still more than those two. Look for them to be uncompromisingly dickheaded in their run to the 6 seed.

7. Tampa Bay Lightning (87 pts)

Tampa Bay has been impressive of late, and they have a good mix of veteran leaders (Lecavalier, St. Louis, Ohlund) and young talent (Stamkos). They have just enough to be exciting and perhaps slightly dangerous, as goalie Mike Smith is unproven in high pressure situatios. I see them finishing ahead of the Canadiens who have been all over the place this year.

8. Montreal Canadiens (81 pts)

The Canadiens need to find an identity and stick to it if they want to do anything real this season. I do see them as the best of the remaining teams in the east (Boston, NY Rangers, Florida). If Carey Price can shape up and the veterans on the team can be better leaders, they could be a much better team (trust me, I am currently killing it with my Canadiens dynasty on NHL 10).

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. San Jose Sharks (115 pts)

The Sharks look primed for another President's Trophy run followed by yet another playoff collapse. Although, to their credit, they did add Dany Heatley which could help them in the playoffs. I think this year actually could be their best chance ever not to choke in the playoffs, which means they probably won't.

2. Chicago Blackhawks (110 pts)

The Blackhawks have as much firepower as anyone in the league and a great young top defensive pairing (Seabrook and Barker), but I can't think of many playoff teams that have a worse goaltending situation. They can either go with Cristobal Huet who has proven nothing to anyone ever or Antti Niemi who shows more promise than Huet but is still very inexperienced. If they can get some goaltending luck, they could go far in the playoffs, but that's a big if.

3. Colorado Avalanche (96 pts)

The Avs have been the surprise of the season so far, and everyone seems to be waiting for when they will fall off the wagon. Young contributors like Duchene, O'Reilly and Galiardi show no signs of slowing down, and Craig Anderson has played at an MVP calibur so far this season. I am picking the Avs to beat the Canucks for the Northwest Division for 2 reasons: 1) Craig Anderson and Milan Hejduk are not playing in the Olympics and will be pretty fresh for the stretch run, and 2) Vancouver still has a giant chunk of their massive road trip because of the Olympics after said Games end. It has to wear on them at some point, and I think the Avs can hold them off.

4. Phoenix Coyotes (104 pts)

This is a prime example of why the NHL should adopt the NBA's rule of having the division winners fall within the top 4 seeds and not the top 3 seeds. The Coyotes, who have also been a pleasant surprise this season, are playing great hockey and will finish with more points than the Avalanche, but will be the 4th seed instead of the 3rd seed (Los Angeles could also finish with more points than the Avs, the Pacific Division is LOADED). I am unsure how the Coyotes will do in the playoffs, however, as they have little experience and Bryzgalov is unproven.

5. Los Angeles Kings (98 pts)

Jonathan Quick has been playing great for the Kings all season, and the question remains as to how he can hold up, especially coming off of an Olympic high. I think the Coyotes-Kings first round series will be one of the most interesting to watch as both teams are making their first playoff experiences is some time. Anze Kopitar will also be key as a leader.

6. Vancouver Canucks (95 pts)

Vancouver could hit a slump physically and mentally when they have to continue their marathon road trip. Henrik Sedin will need to keep overachieving and Luongo will have to play at his best for them to beat out the Avs for the Northwest crown. It will be even more interesting when the two teams racing down the stretch will play each other in the first round. Should be some chippiness in this series.

7. Nashville Predators (92 pts)

The Predators have quietly put together a really solid team that could be a threat to cause some havoc in the playoffs (probably because nobody gives a shit about them). They have veteran leadership, young and solid defensemen and the ability to score. Their unproven goaltending will be key if they want to do anything of substance in the playoffs.

8. Dallas Stars (88 pts)

The Stars acquired Kari Lehtonen to complement a shaky-in-the-playoffs Marty Turco for the stretch run. I think Lehtonen can help the Stars outlast the inconsistent Flames for the 8th and final spot. Look for them to possibly be tricky for the playoff-challenged Sharks in the first round.

I am really excited to see how the races in both leagues unfold over the stretch run of this season. Also, I hope that I am not TOO wrong about this, as this is my first blog entry. Thanks for reading.