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The series for the first round of the NBA Playoffs were released today, and let me tell you, I am excited for these playoffs. This is the first time I will care about the playoffs since the Lakers three peat. Since then all theres been is the bland Spurs, the Pistons crumbling in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Mavericks choking it up big time. This year though, even the first round match ups are great. The East isn't too hot, but my God, look at those Western matchups. They are all incredible series. Lets break down each series

East

Celtics vs Hawks

I wonder who you guys think I'll pick here? I of course like the big three big in their first playoff series. I think they will be extra motivated to prove to everyone that they don't need playoff experience to win this years title. Meanwhile, I think the Hawks are just happy to be in the playoffs for the first time in almost a decade. Celtics in a sweep

Pistons vs 76ers

The Sixers have had a very nice season, but the Pistons know what they have to do at this time of the year, while the Sixers are obviously very new to this experiece. Thew Sixers won't make this a cake walk, but I like Detroit to move on the the second round. Pistons in 5

Magic vs Raptors

This is the best series in the Eastern playoffs to start off. The Magic are lead by Superman himself, Dwight Howard, along with a rejuvinated Hedu Turkalu. The Raptors are making their second straight appearence in the postseason, and they are lead by a very talented big man as well in Chris Bosh. The Raptors are capable of winning this series, but the Magic will be too much for Toronto to handle. I see a very close series taking place however. Magic in 7

Cavs vs Wizards

For the third straight season, the Cavs and Wizards will meet in the first round of the playoffs. The Cavs have won the past two series, and I like that trend continuing here. The Wizards just do not impress me. I think LeBron has a nice tune up for his showdown with the big three. Cavs will sweep the Wizards back to the district

West 

Lakers vs Nuggets

This will be a lot like the Mavs Warriors series from last year, a very fun matchup to follow. The Lakers are led by who I think will win MVP, Mr. Kobe Bryant, as well as Pau Gasol, not to mention the comeback of Andrew Bynam. The Nuggets are a very dangerous 8 seed. Carmelo and A.I. are a very talented duo, and the Nuggets are capable of outscoring everybody. Kobe has been waiting for a team this good since Shaq was traded away, and now he has it. Lakers in 5

Hornets vs Mavericks

I think that this is the most interesting matchup of the first round. The Mavs just last season posted one of the greatest seasons in NBA history, only to be bounced in a shocking first round upset. Now as the 7 seed, they will play the surprising up and coming Hornets, who are led by future star of this league Chris Paul. This series will be a very fun one to watch, as I see lots of scoring done by both squads. I like the Mavs to take this however. The Hornets haven't sniffed the playoffs in years, while the Mavs have been a mainstay in the postseason as of late. Mavs in 6

Spurs vs Suns

Hard to believe that this is a first round matchup, isn't it? These two teams participated in what everybody called the real NBA Finals last year in that contraversial second round series from 07. The Spurs won but were helped by suspensions from the league that were very costly to the Suns. The Spurs went on and dropped just one game on the way to their 4th title in 9 years. The Suns and Shaq have started to click as of late, but I like the Spurs to take this series. In what will be a  tightly contested series the Spurs will close it out on their home court. Spurs in 7

Jazz vs Rockets

These two teams hook up in the first round for the second straight season. Last year the Jazz came back from a 3-2 series deficit and went on to the Western Conference Finals, while Tracy McGrady was left to be scrutinized even more about his epic failure to win a playoff series. The Rockets did go on that ridiculous run in February, but I like the Jazz to pull this series out. In what will be a very defensive series, I don't see the Rockets winning in Utah, where the Jazz are nearly impossible to beat. Jazz in 6