The National Basketball Association begins its playoffs Saturday with a new champion looking all the more certain given Thursday's report that Kevin Garnett will likely miss the Celtics' playoff run. The Howard Simon Show's Dan Hager and Nick Mendola break down the first round in quick, digestible bites that can catch any onlooker up on a long season.

Eastern Conference:

No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Detroit Pistons

Dan- Cleveland is the front-runner for the NBA title, due to their team chemistry and home court advantage. The peoplein Cleveland are ready for another run, and "The Q" will be buzzing. Look out for Cavs guard Mo Williams as the wild card.
Cleveland in five.

Nick- This is a statement I'll cringe while typing, but Lebron James is going to be the closest thing we'll see to Michael Jordan for a long time, and he's playing that way -- with drive, muscle and a certain panache most players don't have. The Pistons haven't missed an Eastern Conference Finals since 2002-03, but they are missing a key component that Dan Hager will speak of in the Western preview.
Cleveland in four.

No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Chicago Bulls

Nick- Let's be up front here... the Celtics are my favorite team, and the Bulls are Dan's preferred unit. I was terrified of this series before the Garnett news, but I've settled into an easy place with the former champs. Paul Pierce certainly isn't happy KG is out, but he's happy to be the No. 1 guy again. If Ray Allen doesn't fall off the table like he did for some of last year's title run, be prepared for a couple rounds out of the Celts, a la Pierce and Antoine "Terrible Socks" Walker in 2001.
Celtics in six

Dan- The Garnett injury is huge, because Chicago is now the bigger team with Brad Miller and Joakim Noah. There are so many players in this series who can take over a game, but the Bulls are young, and you can't count out Pierce.
Celtics in seven.

No. 3 Orlando Magic vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers

Dan- Both teams have been struggling down the stretch, losing key games, but I think Philly will win two games.
Magic in six.

Nick- Maybe it's because they share a division with the Sixers, but I think Philadelphia as a six seed says a lot about the Eastern Conference. The team is better than in years past, but are still closer to garbage bin than scrapbook. Dwight Howard is going to show up something special... for at least this round.
Magic in four.

No. 4 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 5 Miami Heat
Nick- For some reason, the "playoff experience" line doesn't get as much run in the NBA as it does in the NHL or NFL, but this match-up is exciting for just that reason. Dwyane Wade and the Heat won a title, but the Hawks have been spending almost the entire year thinking about how they took the Celtics to seven last year. I'm going with my heart here, and I love Al Horford and Acie Law IV.
Hawks in six.

Dan- This will be the best of the first round series. Atlanta will be fueled by its series with Boston last year, but Wade's been unstoppable this year.
Heat in seven.

Western Conference

No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 8 Utah Jazz

Dan- The Lakers are on a mission, and Utah has fallen off recently.
Lakers in four

Nick- I have almost nothing to add. This isn't close to Dallas/Golden State of a few years ago. I will be so shocked if the Jazz take more than a game... maybe as big a shock since Rocco Mediate stuck with Tiger Woods.
Lakers in four

No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7 New Orleans Hornets

Nick- This isn't a typical 2v7, as the Nuggets finished just five games ahead of the Hornets. The teams split the season series, 2-2, with each team winning a road game. I love Chris Paul in this spot for New Orleans, and think he'll be the difference maker.
Hornets in six, maybe five.

Dan- Chauncey Billups was such a huge pick-up for the Nuggets, and he means even more in the playoffs. He's beaten the Lakers before, and has the ring to go with six-straight Eastern Conference Finals appearanced with Detroit.
Nuggets in six.

No. 3 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 6 Dallas Mavericks

Dan- This will be the last little run for San Antonio, and they'll just make it past the first round. Dallas has not been a good playoff team since their Finals loss to the Heat.
Spurs in six

Nick- It's always risky to choose against the Spurs in the playoffs, so I won't. Plus, I don't have much love for the Mavs right now, save Mark Cuban's antics, which I think are usually amusing. You don't win 50 games accidentally, but Dirk Nowitzki has a lot to prove before I pick his team to beat anyone, especially the Spurs.
Spurs in five.

No. 4 Portland Trail Blazers vs. No. 5 Houston Rockets

Nick- I appreciate that the Rockets have won as much as they have without Tracy McGrady, but I think the surprise ends here. Portland doesn't have much playoff experience on the roster, but Greg Oden is getting too much flack for his foul-trouble-a-plenty play. Brandon Roy is as big for the Blazers in this series as their one-game better record than Houston... that home court will be big.
Blazers in six

Dan- Portland is young, has fire, and looks ready to win. Houston has been a surprise, but the Blazers will be a Cinderella team as Roy leads the way.
Blazers in five

That's it for the first round. We'll be back for Round Two... maybe with a podcast?

Email: nick@wgr550.com