NBA PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS - WEST 1st Round

Lakers(1) vs Nuggets(8) - Wow, you know the Western Conference is stacked when the Nuggs are a 8th seed. They come into this series with two of the top five scoring players in the game with Melo and AI. Kobe comes into this series off another great season, maybe a MVP season, and the Lakers are playing great ball and having fun while doing it. I think this will be a tough series for the Lakers, but I see the Lakers pulling it out in 6. The main reason for this prediction is that the Nuggs are just absolutely atrocious on the road. I just don't see that trend changing in this one, and in my opinion, the Nuggs are just not consistent enough to win a series. Lakers in 6.

X Factors - For the Lakers, I think the main X factor is Lamar. We all know what Kobe and Gasol are going to give you night in and night out, but Lamar has always been one of the Nba's most talented, yet underachieving players. We all know he has the skills to absolutely dominate a game on both ends of the floor, kinda like a mini Pippen, but he has been known to disappear in big games and in the playoffs. If he can play the way he has played in the second half of the season, a double double machine, I definitely see the Lakers rolling. The X Factors for the Nuggs have to be Melo and Jr Smith. You know what Ai is going to do, give you his heart and soul in every game, but Melo needs to step up big in this series and put up some monster games for them to move forward. JR Smith has also been a tremendously talented, but streaky player, so let's see what he can do this series.

Hornets(2) vs Mavs(7) - This series is going to be sick. I love the Hornets, and what Cp3 and co. have done this year. DWest has been unreal, and Peja, Bonzi, and Tchandler all play their roles very well, and they are rolling right now. But, with that being said, the Mavs are the more experienced team, and that is what I think will ultimately decide this series. Dirk is playing very aggressive ball ever since coming back from his injury, and I look for him to have a huge series. I think last year left a salty taste in their mouths, and I don't see Dirk letting them lose this series for that reason. If Jkidd can just contain Cp3, and hold him from having huge games, I think the Mavs can win in 7.

X Factors - For the Hornets, I think DWest and Peja are the Xfactors. Cp3 is going to get his, and Chandler and Bonzi will play their roles to a T, but can Dwest and Peja continue what they have done all year long? Will Peja be the Peja of old and shoot lights out in the playoffs? Can DWest give the Hornets an inside punch they need vs the Mavs? For the Mavs, I think the biggest XFactor is Josh Howard. JTers, Jkidd, and Dirk are going to do their thing, but can Howard play more consistently and get his? Some games he dominates the game on both ends of the court, and in some games he just flat out disappears. If he can have a huge series, the Mavs should be able to win. Should be a great series though.

Spurs(3) vs Suns(6) - The Suns are playing the Spurs in the first round? Are you kidding me? This is going to be the best series of the first round I think, and I can't wait. There are going to be some serious theatrics in this series, so stay tuned and for damn sure, don't change that dial. Last year the Suns felt they were one hip check away from being NBA Champs, so they are back for revenge this year. In the meantime, the Spurs are the Spurs. Defending champs, and no matter how bad they have been slumping this year, how bad people hate them, they still finished with the 3rd seed in the West, and are still very dangerous in the playoffs with the style that they play. To beat the Spurs in a 7 game series, is really tough and grinding. Manu is back a 100 percent they say and he is definitely dangerous in the playoffs as well, so watch out. I can't wait to watch Nash to Amare all day long, they are a treat to watch as a fan. And how about the matchup of the The Big Aristotle vs the Big Fundamental. TD going up against Shaq. This is going to be a series for the ages playaz, I can't wait. I'm going to have to go with the Suns in 7 in this one, but the series can really go either way.

X Factors - For the Spurs, I think the main X factor is Manu off the Spurs bench. TD is going to be TD, and so is Tony Parker, but Manu is their leading scorer, and the guy who kinda makes this team run now. He has had a stretch of injuries this year, because of his crazy balls out style, but they say he is back a 100 percent, so look for him to have a huge series. For the Suns, I think the XFactor has to be Shaq. Nash to Amare are going to be buckets all day, and the other role players all play well in the Suns system, but can Shaq be the Shaq of old? Can he play TD straight up, and be effective in the post and with his help defense? Can he stay out of foul trouble and is he in good enough shape to play a significant role in this series? I hope so, let's see how it pans out.

Jazz(4) vs Rockets(5) - To me, this series is going to be a fairly easy series for the Jazz. The Jazz are dominant at home, and they have too much firepower to lose this series. Their front court is also going to be way to much to handle for the Rockets. I know the Rockets have had a great season, but they really will miss Yao in this series. No one will be able to contain Boozer and Ak47 in this one, you can take that to the bank. Tmac will be terrific as usual, and I really do feel for him because he has not been out of the 1st round, but it looks that will continue again this year. Hopefully him and Yao can have an injury free season next year and finally stop that trend. It's going to be all Jazz in this one. Deron will control the tempo and Boozer and AK will dominate inside.

X Factors - For the Rockets, the Xfactor definitely has to be Tmac. He will have the most impact for this team to have a chance to make it out of the first round. Tmac's teammates will have to be good, but Tmac is going to have to be great for them to even have a chance. For the Jazz, AK47 is definitely the Xfactor. Deron and Boozer will pick and roll the Rockets to death, but Ak is the key for the Jazz in this one. We all remember Ak crying in the playoffs last year, but that will change this time around. Look for Ak to have a good series and put his stamp on this series. No one really matches up vs him for the Rockets, and I really think he will be back to his old self and have big all around games, but let's see.

Can't wait for the Western Conference playoffs, it is going to be amazing for sure. Thanks for reading and check back soon.