The NBA Playoffs are here, and we simmed the first round of the playoffs with NBA 2K and NBA Live to get you ahead of the game on what will happen in the first round. When you add in the insights from our basketball writers TD St. Matthew-Daniel and Dustin Toms, you have a pretty solid preview of what's set to go down in the first round. Check out who is going on and who is going home in our simulation below.


Western Conference

Los Angeles vs. Oklahoma City

TD: The Durantula vs. the Black Mamba. Tantalizing one on one match-up, but a very lopsided series overall. Durant will win the scoring battle, but you can also expect a few well-timed daggers from Mr. 81 whenever the Thunder come close. Lakers with the sweep.

NBA Live 10 says: Lakers 4-2 Thunder
NBA 2K10 says: Lakers 4-3 Thunder

Denver vs. Utah

Dustin: As long as K-Mart is healthy, I don’t see Utah taking this series against a division rival. Melo has been on fire all year and will surely be focused on the playoffs. The Jazz will get a couple wins, but won’t go much further than that. Nuggets in six.

NBA Live 10 says: Nuggets 4-2 Jazz
NBA 2K10 says: Jazz 4-1 Nuggets

Phoenix vs. Portland

TD: Brandon Roy’s surgery on Thursday confirms he would be out for the first round, but even if he were healthy the Blazers wouldn’t be much of a threat. Amar’e and the Suns are on a roll. They are being true to their logo and playing some hot basketball right now. Suns with an easy sweep.

NBA Live 10 says: Blazers 4-3 Suns
NBA 2K10 says: Blazers 4-2 Suns

Amar'e is riding a hot streak into the playoffs but NBA Live 10 says Blazers win.

Dallas vs. San Antonio

Dustin: The Spurs are done. They’re old, hurt and slow. Dallas has learned to mesh with Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood quickly, instantly turning them into one of the few teams the Lakers have to worry about. Mavericks in five.

NBA Live 10 says: Mavericks 4-2 Spurs
NBA 2K10 says: Spurs 4-2 Mavericks


Eastern Conference

Cleveland vs. Chicago

TD: Also known as “Cleveland’s first round bye”. The only thing that might slow down the Cavs is trying to work the big diesel back into their well-oiled machine. But in all seriousness, I don’t even think this series should be played so let’s move on. Cavs sweep.

NBA Live 10 says: Cavaliers 4-1 Bulls
NBA 2K10 says: Cavaliers 4-2 Bulls

Boston vs. Miami

Dustin: Nobody imagined Boston’s window would close so fast. After the magical run in 2008, the team has been dragging their feet. I’m glad that Garnett, Allen and Peirce all got their ring, but D-Wade is closer than those three to getting a second one. Heat in six.

NBA Live 10 says: Celtics 4-2 Heat
NBA 2K10 says: Celtics 4-1 Heat

Will D-Wade and the Heat rise above the Celtics in the first round? Not according to NBA2K10.

Atlanta vs. Milwaukee

Dustin: Atlanta has grown up the past three years. They have finally figured out how to maximize all that athletic ability on the team. Plus Crawford coming off the bench has been huge. The Bucks have been a huge surprise this year with Jennings coming out of nowhere and the steal of John Salmons. The Bucks will make this the one seven game series of the first round, but home-court advantage will come in handy for the Hawks. Hawks in seven.

NBA Live 10 says: Hawks 4-3 Bucks
NBA 2K10 says: Hawks 4-1 Bucks

Orlando vs. Charlotte

TD: While the Bobcats have some good team defense and a playoff tested coach in Larry Brown, they lack that one go-to-guy that can take over a game on any given night. You need that to win in the NBA playoffs. Magic in six.

NBA Live 10 says: Bobcats 4-3 Magic
NBA 2K10 says: Magic 4-3 Bobcats


How do you think the first round of the NBA playoffs would play out?