Second Round NBA Playoff Predictions

Next round NBA playoff predictions (and in the picking contest, I'm up 75-50 on the Truth, with both of us going 1-3 in the West in the first round...):

Cleveland vs. Atlanta: Cavs in five. This was going to be Cavs in six originally, but when you add in the fatigue factor, along with how banged up both of these teams have become, it just got easier for the LeBrons. Like they needed the help. The Truth Picks Cleveland in four.

Boston vs. Orlando: Celtics in seven. What, you think the Drama Boys aren't going to go the distance again? Just like in the first round, the visitors have more talent, and will win one of the first two games on the road. They also won't finish, mostly because Dwight Howard is turnover and foul-prone, and the Magic don't shoot free throws well enough, either. Prepare for another 2 weeks of the Bad Tooth obsessing over his team. Don't worry, it won't go any farther than this. The Truth Picks Boston in seven.

Los Angeles vs. Houston: Lakers in six. If this was baseball, I'd like the Rockets; when it comes to putting together a roster with spare parts, glue and a sabermetric eye for talent, they can't be beat. This isn't baseball, the Rockets don't have a point guard that can exploit the Lakers, and Pau Gasol will be much better than Yao Ming. Also, eventually, Kobe Bryant will overcome Ron Artest and Shane Battier. Expect the close on the road to get more than a little ugly; I have high hopes for the end of Good Testy's year. The Truth picks LA in five.

Denver vs. Dallas: Denver in seven. The Nuggets were 4-0 against the Mavs this year, for two simple reasons: Carmelo Anthony is better than Josh Howard, and Kenyon Martin is the prototype defender to drive Dirk Nowitzki to distraction. I also think that Chauncey Billups is going to eventually own Jason Kidd, but that it will take a while, and that the Nugs will show us the knucklehead ways that will doom them to a fast exist in the next round. The Truth picks Dallas in six.