Not much time to make it sound pretty since they are in 2 days and I have schoolwork. I will get the East done tommorow.<div align="center">2006 NBA Playoff Predictions</div>Western Conference#1 San Antonio vs. #8 Sacramento This series will be the most exciting one to watch in the first round of this year?s playoffs. It could even end up in an upset. Since getting Artest, the Kings have gone from being the worst team in the Pacific division to one of the hottest teams in the league. This will be a tough match-up for the Spurs. Both Sacramento big men can make outside shots and will be tough to guard for Tim Duncan and Nazr Mohammed. What also will be interesting to watch is the match-up between Artest and Bowen. Bowen and Ginobli usually don?t play against players who are as tough on defense as they are and will meet their match in Artest. The Kings also have a very good backcourt to go against the Spurs? Parker and Ginobli. Their bench is also very good with Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kevin Martin, who has been surprisingly good. The Spurs have the winning experience, but they had some bad luck getting this team as their first round opponent. The Kings will fight until the end and they have some of the loudest fans in the league. I wouldn?t be surprised if they win this one but I?ll have to say?.Spurs win in 7, home court is the deciding factor. #2 Suns vs. #7 LakersWhat really baffles me is all the confidence the Lakers fans have in this team. Sure, they beat the Suns??who were without three starters. Sure, they have Kobe??.but who else? The Suns should win this one easily. They are a TEAM which the Lakers are not. They have many players on the team that can hurt the Lakers. If Odom steps up the Lakers might take this series somewhere, but Odom will not do anything with Marion guarding him. Kobe will win the Lakers one game here by himself, but the Suns will not have much trouble after that because Raja Bell has done a nice job defending Kobe this season. Losing Kurt Thomas was a big loss for them but will his defense really be missed against Kwame ?Bust? Brown and his 7 points per game? I don?t think so.Suns win in 5#3 Nuggets vs. #6 ClippersThe Clippers are finally in the playoffs! Congratulations to them. Now, with Corey Maggette back they have a very good starting 5. Cassell has been good this season and has experience in the playoffs. Brand is a great player also and was an early MVP candidate. He averages a double-double and it will be a fun match-up between him and Kenyon Martin. Chris Kaman is having the best year of his career and will really need to play well if the Clippers want a chance to win. Even with a lower seed they will have home court advantage. But with all those things going for them I believe the Nuggets are still a much better team. If their big guys can stay healthy they will be a big surprise in the playoffs. The team they have could take them very far. Andre Miller and Carmelo Anthony are very good players and Kenyon Martin, Marcus Camby and Reggie Evans (bench) give them some toughness inside. Brand will have trouble with those guys inside. It will be a real battle of the big men. Both teams have had trouble late in the season but should pick it up in the playoffs.Nuggets win in 7#4 Mavericks vs. #5 GrizzliesThe Grizzlies have had a pretty good season this year. They have held their opponents to 88 points per game and have a strong team. Their bench is very good. Bobby Jackson and Mike Miller are two of the best bench players in the league. This team has a lot of trouble scoring though. The Mavs have improved their defense from last year so the Grizzlies will have problems scoring against them in this series. Dampier and Diop both have done a nice job defensively at center. Josh Howard is a good defender also and the whole team has just improved there since last year. Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol are the team?s best players, but Dirk is the better player and will win that match-up. I like the Grizzlies and think that they have built a very good team, but they just can?t beat the Mavericks (1-3 this season). Dallas wins in 6
Now for the East which I have no time to write aboutistons sweep Bucks 4-0Heat beat Bulls 4-1Nets beat Pacers 4-2Cavaliers beat Wizards 4-2
