At last...the CavsHQ predictions for the 2008-09 NBA Season.

Playoff Teams:

Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (58-24)
2. Detroit Pistons (57-25)
3. Orlando Magic (52-30)
4. Boston Celtics (49-33)
5. Philadelphia 76ers (49-33)
6. Chicago Bulls (44-38)
7. Washington Wizards (41-41)
8. Miami Heat (40-42)

Western Conference
1. New Orleans Hornets (63-19)
2. San Antonio Spurs (58-24)
3. Houston Rockets (55-27)
4. Los Angeles Lakers (50-32)
5. Utah Jazz (49-33)
6. Dallas Mavericks (47-35)
7. Denver Nuggets (44-38)
8. Phoenix Suns (44-38)
(Records set order, even though the Jazz would technically be the 4th seed.)

Conference Championships:
Cavaliers vs. Celtics
Hornets vs. Lakers

NBA Finals:
Cavaliers vs. Hornets

NBA Champion:
Cleveland Cavaliers

MVP: LeBron James
COY: Byron Scott
ROY: Michael Beasley
DPY: Kevin Garnett
6MY: Manu Ginobili

Bonus Predictions:
- As you can see, I'm expecting the Cavs to win the East, but with significantly less wins than the Celtics had last year (66) and the Pistons had the year before (63). I think the East is going to be tougher this year, but there are still only 4 teams with a legitimate shot of winning the Conference Championship. I'm just not sure if that last team is the Pistons or the Sixers.

- I think the Hornets are built to pick up lots of wins in the regular season, and will be running away with the West early. I think the Suns would give them a scare if they matched up in the Playoffs however. The West is still going to be brutal in the Playoffs, which is ultimately why I chose the Cavs to win the title. Any team from the East has my pick for the Finals.

- I think the Lakers will lose Kobe Bryant for at least 10 games.

- I like the Mavericks to be a factor one more time, possibly knocking off a team like the Rockets or Spurs in the first round. They are really going to get a lot from the coaching change to Rick Carlisle.

- I had trouble giving the Magic 52 wins, but they had 52 wins last year, and arguably got a little better. I could see them slipping to 45 wins pretty easily. At the same time, I feel like I'm being generous with the Sixers and their 49 wins.

I'm telling you folks, I think this is the year. We'll start figuring it out tonight.

Go Cavs.