The second round of the 2006 NBA playoffs has the potential to be one of the best and closest rounds in recent history. Three of the four series should go at least six games, with the fourth featuring “King James” and the mighty Detroit Pistons. I don’t want to sound my own horn, but only a Phoenix comeback against the Lakers kept my first-round predictions from going 8-0. So here we go, get your local sportsbook number handy and let’s take a look at the Conference Semifinals.

Western Conference

#1 Spurs vs. #4 rebels

This is really #1 vs. #2, but by now we all know the story behind the division rule, so I’ll skip that argument. This is really a series to win some money if you are looking to gamble. The Spurs bowed out of game one 87-85, being favored by 5 points. If I were a betting man, and I am, I would absolutely take the team by getting points in every game. This series is meant to go seven and so close. Do not think that the first game was a fluke. I’d even be inclined to take Dallas straight into Game 2. Tim Duncan looked like the old Timmy, scoring 31 points and capturing 13 rebounds, but this kind of game might not last with his recent injury problem. In short, I still like the Spurs’ bench with Michael Finley, and I still like the Spurs taking the series in seven.

#2 Suns vs. #6 Razors

Good Phoenix. You blew my bet on a perfect first round, but you guys are going down in the second round. The Suns are favored by 6 points for Game One on Monday, which I think is terribly bloated. The Clippers are a much more complete team than the Lakers. If Phoenix struggled with the Lakers’ one-man show, what are they going to do against Elton Brand and company, which includes veteran star Sam Cassell? Cassell was hired for this reason: to win playoff games. Cassell averaged 15 points and five assists per game in the series against the Nuggets and is a proven winner. The Suns wasted too much energy in the first round, with their three-game comeback against the Lakers. If you like sports betting, do yourself a favor and put your money on the Clippers in the first game. This series will be another one to bite your nails; Clippers in six.

Eastern Conference

#1 Pistons vs. #4 Cleveland

Here we have the only easy series to predict. The Pistons are the big favorites to win it all, and they look like it, too. They outscored the Cavaliers in the first game, 113-86. This series could become a massacre. Lebron was limited to just 22 points and averaged less than 20 points per game during the regular season against the Pistons. You get the feeling that the only way the Cavaliers can win a game in this series is for Lebron to go completely insane, which isn’t going to happen against a defense like Detroit’s. With this series, I don’t care how many points go to the Pistons; take the Pistons and they will cover the spread. They only covered the spread by 17 points on Sunday. This series won’t close, especially if the Pistons go 15 for 22 from three spots and land again. Pistons in five.

#2 Heat vs. #3 Net

This is another incredibly difficult series to predict, but it’s what I get paid for. Both teams really struggled in the first round against inferior opponents. Shaq showed flashes of brilliance in the Heat series but also showed his age. But Shaq is still Shaq and he still leads the league in shooting percentage at 60%, which will help the Heat take a step forward in this series. Shaq also increased his rebounds from 9.2 to 10.8 in the first round, which should continue to give Miami second-chance points. Even with this, I think the five points the Heat are giving up in Game One might be too many. Vince Carter increased his scoring average by more than five in the first round to 29.2 per game and I think the Nets could shock the Heat with a Game 1 win. Take the points and take on the Nets in this series. Networks in seven.