The Eastern Conference playoffs second round now begins and we are now close to see who wants to win the East. The Cleveland Cavaliers ran through the Chicago Bulls very easy quickly to end the series to go on to the next one. The Boston Celtics swept the Miami Heat which caught many by surprise showing age is not a factor at all. Too bad for the Miami Heat, because now after another first round elimination I think Dwayne Wade is gone next year. The Atlanta Hawks had some fear put into them by the Milwaukee Bucks, but showed why they are the better team in game seven. The Orlando Magic beat the mess out of the Bobcats and right now they are the hottest team in the Eastern Conference. The Semifinals are now here and the breakdown to see who goes to the Eastern Conference Finals is something to discuss.

 (1) Cleveland Cavaliers VS (4) Boston Celtics

The Cleveland Cavaliers are now in the next round after putting the Chicago Bulls to rest like it was nothing. LeBron James the league's MVP wants his ring and showing that this is the year to finally get it done. The supporting cast of Mo Williams, Delonte West, Anthony Parker, and Shaq is assisting King James pretty good showing they want the rings too. Antawn Jamison was a good pickup for the Cavs and he is finally starting to show his niche that he's adjusting to the offense. The Cavs playing under coach Mike Brown seem to be having fun and when you play for a coach you like, winning is not a problem at all.The Cavs dismantled the Bulls with no problem and are now ready for test number two against the Boston Celtics.

 The Boston Celtics swept proved age is not a factor in their sweep of the Miami Heat. Kevin Garnett was even absent for one game due to a suspension and the Heat still had no answer. Paul Pierce showed why he is the truth hitting a game winning shot in game three which devastated Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat. Ray Allen still remains one of the greatest shooters of our generation and each night Rajon Rondo by being groomed by three future hall of fame veterans is showcasing he's next in the great lineup of NBA point guards. The bench for Boston is good too with Glen "Big Baby" Davis and a solid lockdown defender in Tony Allen that can make things difficult.The Celtics have one more championship run in them and ready to show why, whether you think their old or not.

Prediction: Cavs in 6. When you break it down on paper the Boston Celtics look to be the better team with the big four. Pierce, Allen, Garnett, and Rondo play well together each night, but is the four headed monster enough to beat King James and the Cavs? I don't think so! The high caliber playing level of LeBron James is just too much for the aging Celtics. If this was a few years ago when the big three (Pierce, Garnett, Allen) were younger, it be a different story. I like King James and his fellow warriors to overthrow the older Kings whose reign is now over.

(2) Orlando Magic VS (3) Atlanta Hawks

Orlando Magic are scary and if your a team that has to face them you need to be worried. Superman Dwight Howard game is getting better as his career progresses as he as the hunger for more mentality right now. Dominating the pain, snatching rebounds all day, and powerful jams is his game and its nothing you can do about it. Vince Carter did struggle in the series vs Charlotte, but that's nothing to worry about with the depth this team has. Jameer Nelson is a decent point guard now that's healthy and on a given night will have no problem scoring in double figures. Never sleep on Rashard Lewis either who will hit the big shots in the clutch, especially when he is wide open. Defensively the Magic are a threat too with bench players Matt Barnes and Mickael Pietrus who can get down and dirty not caring which player on the opposing team doesn't like it.

The Atlanta Hawks are a growing team and over the last couple of years been turning it up. Some were afraid that the Bucks were giving them a headache in their first round matchup, but we all know the Hawks were better anyway. Truthfully if you watched the series mental mistakes down the stretch cost the Hawks when the games were close. Joe Johnson still is a NBA all-star and not afraid to takeover when possible. You just have to love Al Horford as well finally getting the respect around the league as a all-star big man. Jamal Crawford provides the Hawks with a spark off the bench when you even ask yourself "Is this dude really a 6th man", because he can get the court rocking as if he is a starter. Josh Smith can be inconsistent at times, but when he's on, it just another weapon that makes Atlanta something to look out for.

Prediction: Magic in 7. This will be a great series between these two teams that matchup so well. Both have good shooting, scoring, and like to battle all the way when the games are close. Nail-biters are on the way in this round that will put fans on the edge of their seats. Al Horford's battle with Dwight Howard will be a tough challenge. For Atlanta to defend Orlando's three point shooting alone will be a problem and should be a high priority. Mike Bibby and Jameer Nelson going neck to neck should be fun too. Joe Johnson will need some help in this one and the Hawks are all going to have to turn it up if they think they have a shot against Orlando. For the most part though, Orlando wins because too many pieces are in place for them and Atlanta to be a contender needs something extra.