NBA playoffs preview

This is gonna be abridged. Only because it's 4:30 a.m. here and I'm starting to fatigue. But don't worry, my mind is still sharp. At least in terms of basketball knowledge. Here's a round-by-round look at the playoffs.

FIRST ROUND

Eastern Conference
(1) Detroit def. (8) Orlando 4-1
Darko can't defeat his old team. Billups posts up Nelson all day long.
(2) Miami def. (7) Indiana 4-2
Jermaine O'Neal has great series, but in the end too much Wade, and Shaq steps up.
(3) New Jersey def. (6) Washington 4-3
Great series showdown between Arenas and Carter. Jason Kidd makes the difference at end.
(4) Cleveland def. (5) Chicago 4-1
Zeke has a huge series against tired Big Ben. LeBron wins a game in the final seconds.

Western Conference
(1) Phoenix def. (8) Denver 4-0
Raja Bell shuts down 'Melo, leaving Nuggets hopeless.
(2) Dallas def. (7) Houston 4-2
Not an easy series, but in end Dallas has too much firepower. Yao worn out by big-bodied Dallas centers.
(6) LA Lakers def. (3) Utah 4-3
Kobe shows up this time in Game 7, lights up the Staples Center.
(4) San Antonio def. (5) LA Clippers 4-3
Manuficent: Ginobli carries Spurs, as Brand and Duncan cancel each other out. Horry hits big Game 7 trey.

SECOND ROUND

Eastern Conference
(4)Cleveland def. (1) Detroit 4-2
Too much LeBron for Pistons to handle. Plus, Marshall, Jones and Hughes hit open shots.
(2) Miami def. (3) New Jersey 4-2
Rematch from last year yields similar result.

Western Conference
(4) San Antonio def. (1) Phoenix 4-3
Can't go against the Spurs after a disappointing season. TD carries them this round.
(2) Dallas def. (6) LA Lakers 4-1
Devin Harris blows by Lakers' point guards, Josh Howards contains Kobe. No one on LA can stop Dirk.

CONFERENCE FINALS

Eastern Conference
(2) Miami def. (4) Cleveland 4-3
What a series! LeBron-Wade is a matchup to remember. In the end, Wade has more support, as role players step up in Game 7. Plus, it's in Miami, where Wade gets more calls.

Western Conference
(4) San Antonio def. (2) Dallas 4-2
Spurs get their revenge from last year. Tony Parker has huge series, Bruce Bowens hounds Jason Terry, and Jackie Butler comes in off bench to do a good job on Dirk. Big D doesn't have an answer for Duncan.

FINALS
San Antonio def. Miami 4-2
Finally, Wade runs out of gas. And the ancient lineup around him doesn't have much left either. Although Shaq has big-scoring series against no-name SA centers, TD and Manu prove to be too much and the Spurs win their fourth title in eight years.
- Finals MVP: Who else? Tim Duncan