The league MVP is set to get it started against the Orlando Magic

4-for-4

That’s how I fared in predicting the Eastern Conference and Western Conference semifinal series.

Piece of cake.

I mean, Cleveland should have disposed of Atlanta, right. The Cavaliers could have broke out the brooms from the opening tip in Game 1.

The Los Angeles Lakers have a better team than Houston even with star center Yao Ming so without him, the Rockets had no chance even though they showed tremendous zeal in extending the series to seven games.

As for the Dallas Mavericks, the way they fold on a regular, anyone who thought they’d beat Denver must either be related to Dallas owner Mark Cuban or owe Cuban money.

Orlando needed a Game 7 to finally put away the Kevin Garnett-less Boston Celtics, but they did win the series.

So now, who’s going to wind up in the NBA Finals.

Did someone say Kobe and LeBron?

Cleveland may not have answer for Dwight Howard, but will the Magic go to him enough to take full advantage of his matchup against the Cavaliers?

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (3) Orlando Magic
Game 1: Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. (TNT)
How they got here: The Cavaliers def. Detroit in four games in the first round; def. Atlanta in four games in the conference semifinals. Orlando def. Philadelphia in six games in the first round; def. Boston in seven games in the conference semifinals.
Prediction: Cavaliers in six.
Why: NBA MVP LeBron James has the Cavaliers on a mission. While the Magic have Superman (Dwight Howard) headlining a very talented team, the Cavaliers play better as a team than Orlando. In addition, the Cavaliers play defense better than anyone in the league under NBA coach of the year, Mike Brown.

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (2) Denver Nuggets
Game 1: Tuesday, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
How they got here: The Lakers def. Utah in five games in the first round; def. Houston in seven games in the conference semifinals. The Nuggets def. New Orleans in five games in the first round; def. Dallas in five games in the conference semifinals.
Prediction: Lakers in six.
Why: Los Angeles has no reservations about how tough the Nuggets are as a team and how well they’re playing right now. Led by Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, Denver gets after it.  So the Lakers will come out focused and follow the lead of Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles also has home-court advantage, which will help their cause.