Here are the predictions of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs:

All Hawai'i times, Games 5-7, if necessary)

No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers (66-16) vs. No. 8 Detroit Piston (39-43)

Season series: Cleveland, 3-1.

Buzz: These old foes met in bitter series in 2006 and 2007, which they split, but these aren't the veteran Pistons, who made the last six East Finals, or the young Cavaliers, trying to get over the hump. Now the Cavaliers are the grown-ups and the Pistons the young team, but they're going down, not up, with their first losing season since 2000-01.

Prediction: The only surprise will be if the Pistons win a game. Cleveland, 4-0.

Schedule: Saturday: at Cleveland, 9 a.m.; Tuesday: at Cleveland, 2 p.m.; April 24: at Detroit, 1 p.m.; April 26: at Detroit, 9:30 a.m.; April 29: at Cleveland; May 1: at Detroit; May 3: at Cleveland.

No. 2 Boston Celtics (62-20) vs. No. 7 Chicago Bulls (41-41)

Season series: Boston, 2-1.

Buzz: In other bad news, the Celtics were set to play Philadelphia, whom they swept ... until the Bulls dropped their finale — at home, to Toronto. The Bulls turned their last meeting with the Celtics into a track meet and won, 127-121, part of a 12-4 finish led by new leading scorer John Salmons and rookie Derrick Rose.

Prediction: In a break for the Celtics, at last, Salmons, who's also the only Bull who can guard Paul Pierce, has a groin injury. Boston, 4-2.

Schedule: Saturday: at Boston, 6:30 a.m.; Monday: at Boston, 1 p.m.; Thursday: at Chicago, 2 p.m.; April 26: at Chicago, 7 a.m.; April 28: at Boston; April 30: at Chicago; May 2: at Boston.

No. 3 Orlando Magic (59-23) vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers (41-41)

Season series: Orlando, 3-0.

Buzz: The Magic got past the first round last spring for the first time since Shaquille O'Neal was there and may be ready for more. With Mr. Inside, Dwight Howard, and a roster full of shooters, even top teams have trouble matching up, with the Magic 10-5 against the Lakers, Celtics and Cavaliers over two seasons.

Prediction:The 76ers can't match up with them either, or anyone else at the end, finishing 1-6. Orlando, 4-1.

Schedule: Sunday: at Orlando, 11:30 a.m.; Wednesday: at Orlando, 1 p.m.; April 24: at Philadelphia, 2 p.m.; April 26: at Philadelphia, 12:30 p.m.; April 28: at Orlando; April 30: at Philadelphia; May 2: at Orlando.

No. 4 Atlanta Hawks (47-35) vs. No. 5 Miami Heat (43-39):

Season series: Atlanta, 3-1.

Buzz: The Comeback Bowl between the Hawks, who shocked the Celtics last spring as a 37-45 playoff team and just posted their first winning record in 10 years, while the Heat went from 15 wins to 43. ... Coincidentally or not, with Jermaine O'Neal (surprise!) a dud, Miami Coach Eric Spoelstra finally unchained rookie Michael Beasley, who averaged 20 points in April.

Prediction: Three Hawks guard Dwyane Wade, sometimes at the same time. Atlanta escapes, 4-3.

Schedule: Sunday: at Atlanta, 2 p.m.; Wednesday: at Atlanta, 2 p.m.; April 25: at Miami, 12:30 p.m.; April 27: at Miami, TBA; April 29: at Atlanta; May 1: at Miami; May 3: at Atlanta.