It's that time of year again, folks, when more than half of the teams in the NBA start the seemingly endless journey towards the NBA Championship.

Isiah Thomas has finally been removed from power, and that's reason for New Yorkers to celebrate, but for the 16 remaining teams, championship dreams are in their sights.

First Round

Eastern Conference

#1 Boston Celtics vs. #8 Atlanta Hawks
The Celtics are looking to come of the gate strong, while the Hawks are just happy to be in the playoffs (first time since the 1998-99 Season). The Hawks will steal one in front of an envigorated crowd in Atlanta, but the Celtics will prove to be way too much for the Hawks.
Celtics in 5

#4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #5 Washington Wizards
LeBron James and co. face off against Agent Zero for the third consecutive year in the playoffs. Homecourt will play a big part in giving the Cavs the edge, and LeBron will carry them into a second round matchup with the mighty Celtics.
Cavs in 6

#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Toronto Raptors
This is one of two awesome 3 vs. 6 matchups in this year's first round. The Magic have to be the favorites in this one, with Dwight Howard in the middle. They took the season series 2-1, winning one game each in Toronto and Orlando. It looks like it will be a tough time for the Raptors, but if Jose Calderon gets enough minutes, he can have an enormous impact on the series. No offense to T.J. Ford, but Calderon should be getting the lion's share of the minutes at the point.
Raptors in 7

#2 Detroit Pistons vs. #7 Philadelphia 76ers
Every year the Pistons seem to struggle at some point in the regular season, and every year they seem to pull it together just in time for the playoffs. The casual NBA fan dreads seeing the slow, ugly style of the Pistons, but, as is evidenced in the past 6 years or so, it works. Andre Iguodala has really stepped up this year for Philly, establishing himself as the new A.I. in the city of brotherly love, and the 76ers are no push-overs. The Pistons may win, but Philly will put in a solid effort, gaining experience for the future.
Pistons in 6

Western Conference

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Denver Nuggets
It looked as if, even two weeks ago, that this would be one of the most competitive 1 vs. 8 matchups in reason NBA history. But with the Carmello Anthony DUI saga, the Nuggets, a team that has little team cohesion (or defense) as it is, will struggle to keep up with Kobe and the Lakers. The Nuggets will squeeze out a win, but that's about it.
Lakers in 5

#4 Utah Jazz vs. #5 Houston Rockets
The Western conference is ultra-competetive, and this is one of three matchups that could legitimately go either way. Without Yao and the momentum of their huge winning streak, T-Mac and the Rockets can only go so far. They'll stay competitive throughout, but Boozer and Deron Williams will carry the Jazz to a round two battle with the Lakers.
Jazz in 6

#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Phoenix Suns
Arguably the best 3 vs. 6 matchup in the history of the playoffs. The reigning champs look to find their way through the resurgent Suns, but it will be far from an easy task. Shaq has finally begun to mesh with his Suns teammates, and the series could very well come down to how well the Spurs can matchup against both Shaq and Amare Stoudemire. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are as seasoned as anyone, and they will survive the Suns, but just barely. This could be the last solid chance for Steve Nash to vie for a title, so don't look for him to take this sitting down.
Spurs in 7

#2 New Orleans Hornets vs. #7 Dallas Mavericks
The late-surging Mavs have the playoff experience, but the Hornets have CPIII. The Hornets will absolutely have their hands full with Dirk and Co., but Chris Paul and David West will break out in prime time, and a national audience will get to see what CPIII is all about. If J-Kidd picks up his defense, and leads the Mavs the way they thought he would when they traded for him, the Mavs have almost as much chance of emerging from this first round matchup as the Hornets.
Hornets in 7

Second Round

Eastern Conference

#1 Boston Celtics vs. #4 Cleveland Cavaliers
The Celtics breezing through round one will help them immensely in preparation and rest as they face the Cavs in round two. LeBron will carry Cleveland on his back and win two games on his own almost singlehandedly, but the Celtics will prove far too strong. They provide too many matchup problems.
Celtics in 6

#2 Detroit Pistons vs. #6 Toronto Raptors
Both squads will come into this second round matchup nicked up and bruised following physical first round matchups. If Chris Bosh can play big, the Raptors can stay in this series and give themselves a puncher's chance. Maybe more than that.
Raptors in 7

Western Conference

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #4 Utah Jazz
The Lakers seem to be a team of destiny this year, as every move they've made seems to have worked out (Derek Fisher, Pau Gasol). This won't be as easy as round one, but the Lakers won't struggle to mightily to beat the Jazz in round two.
Lakers in 6

#2 New Orleans Hornets vs. #3 San Antonio Spurs
After gaining some fortitude and grit after a big round one win, the Hornets run up against the defending champion Spurs. This matchup could be the Western Conference finals in any year, and there's a good argument that both of these teams are amongst the top four teams in the NBA. The Hornets continue to be world beaters, and get themselves into the Conference finals.
Hornets in 7

Conference Finals

Eastern Conference

#1 Boston Celtics vs. #6 Toronto Raptors
After two impressive victories, the Raptors' carriage turns back into a pumpkin in the conference finals. KG, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen prove too much for Bosh and Calderon, but the Raptors are young and will be back with a vengeance in the coming years. KG finally gets himself back to the finals.
Celtics in 5

Western Conference

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #2 New Orleans Hornets
An explosive Conference final in the west provides six games of running, defense, and something for everyone, from the casual fan to the die-hard. The veteran Kobe vs. the up-and-coming Chris Paul will be one of the major storylines in this one. In the end, the Lakers squeeze it out in 6, but don't be surprised if the Hornets make them work for each and every point.
Lakers in 6

NBA Championship

#1 Boston Celtics vs. #1 Los Angeles Lakers
The matchup of two of the all-time great franchises provides the NBA with everything it needs and then-some. The Celtics came out of the box fast, and beat up on the Western Conference all year. The Lakers steadily climbed all year, ultimately capturing the number one seed and homecourt in the final weeks of the season. Kobe longs to win a championship on his own, but this year belongs to KG, as he finally gets the ring that has eluded him his entire career.
Celtics in 7

-- Tim Fiorvanti