The first round of the 2001 NBA Playoffs begins on Saturday. Here is what you had to say about the Eastern Conference matchups:

Pacers vs. 76ers
My team is the 76ers. I think that they will win the series against Indiana 3-1. For any chance of the Pacers winning the series, Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose will have to have top performance games and Jermane O'Neal has to step up his game. I don't think there is any way that the Pacers can do this because I really haven't seen it done so far this season. Allen Iverson will take over the game if needed and put the 76ers to the second round.

Josh
Evansville, Ind.

Pacers will shock the world and knock Philly out. Allen will once again shoot miserably from the field and Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose, who have both turned it on with scoring and assists just in time for the playoffs, will lead a miraculous 5 game series win. Heh, I can dream can't I.

Will
San Diego, Calif.

Allen Iverson is a mortal lock for MVP and he will be looking for revenge against the hated Pacers, who have knocked him out the last two years. The high school Pacers with old man Reggie have NO shot! Get out the brooms...SWEEP! Look for sixth man of the year Aaron McKie to step it up in the scoring department. Everybody has gotten nearly a full week to heal, and they will have more time to heal after the sweep...NBA finals here we come!

Michael
Warminster, Pa.

Philly may have swept Indiana in the regular season, but players like Miller and Rose won't give up easily, especially in the playoffs. Indiana is going to give Philly a hard time, besides Allen Iverson should carry the scoring load for the whole series which could be a fatigue factor. My prediction Philly win in 5 games.

Darwin Ong
Walnut, Calif.

My team is the Celtics, but I have adopted the 76ers for the playoffs. I think that the Sixers will beat the Pacers in 4 games. I feel that Iverson has matured to a point that he knows that this will be the best opportunity for him and his teammates to reach the Finals. I think that the Pacers cannot match up with the Sixers size and speed. Defense will prevail and the Sixers are the best at it.

Ulises Gonzalez
Matawan, N.J.

Magic vs. Bucks
How can you say the Bucks have to topple Tracy McGrady to advance to round two? Here's a did you know! The Bucks have won nine straight in the series. It looks like Orlando has to topple Ray Allen, Sam Cassell and Glenn Robinson and that's not going to happen!

Steve Gill
Greenfield, Wis.

We have gotten no respect from you, from other teams fans, or from NBC, which is why victory will be so much sweeter for the Bucks this year. We will make it to the NBA Finals, whether we have what it takes to win it I don't know, but I know that no team in the east can compete with this team in a series. Especially, the way we have been playing down the stretch. Magic series is a sweep in the first round.

Luke Nelson
Eau Claire, Wis.

My team, the Orlando McGrady's...I mean Magic, will hopefully be able to win one game in this matchup of scoring power. Ray Allen will have his hands full this round with T-Mac. Mike Miller will have to step up, so will Darrell Armstrong, and so will Grant Hill...oops! Anyway, I expect the Bucks to win, but I love the team from Disney World, and I wish a first round win, but I don't think so. But, anything can happen when you believe in Magic.

Randon McCrea
Riverdale, Md.

The Milwaukee Bucks are rolling into the playoffs red hot, not to mention that they have beat the Magic nine straight times. The Bucks shooting and defense, which is coming around, will dominate this series. The Magic will end the streak and win a game, but the Bucks take the series in 4.

Brandon Sieglaff
Eagle, Wis.

The Milwaukee Bucks are going all the way. They are the most unselfish and deepest team in the East (not to mention having the best coach). They can outscore anyone and if they can break even on the boards and play a little defense, they should be tough to beat. They have split the season series with Philly and swept the best the West has to offer. After winning it all, they should finally get the respect they deserve!

Craig Sweeney
Racine, Wis.

Hornets vs. Heat
I think that Miami will have very little problem dispatching of the Hornets. Alonzo Mourning looks like he is back in playing shape and Elden Campbell has never been able to stop him. With the starting line up of Mourning, Brian Grant, Anthony Mason, Eddie Jones plus any point guard who can get them the ball, the Hornets won't be hard to beat at all. Heat over Hornets 3-1

Carmi Gross
New York, N.Y.

I believe that my Hornets will pull off the upset against the Heat. I know they were slumping some down the stretch, but in the postseason the starters will play a lot of minutes and will find a way to win.

Brad Harn
Kentucky

I think the Heat will sweep the Hornets. Just think of this starting lineup, Tim Hardaway and Eddie Jones on the backcourt and Anthony Mason, Grant, and Mourning for the frontcourt. The Hornets don't stand a chance. I've been reading some stuff about Jamal Mashburn getting his revenge. Please. We all know what happens to him in the playoffs. Heat sweep and move on until they win the Finals!

Jonny
Washington

If Charlotte's reserves can neutralize Miami's bench, the Hornets have a legit shot. Charlotte's big frontline could cause some problems and if the perimeter guys (Baron Davis, David Wesley, Eddie Robinson) can make some jump shots, I look for the series to go 5. But I'll go with the Heat in 4. Charlotte has been inconsistent all year, although the trade during the off season (Mason, E.Jones, Mashburn, and P.J. Brown) makes this a very interesting first round matchup.

Michael Brewer
Annapolis, Md.

I think the Heat will, if not sweep the Hornets or win it in four games because obviously the Heat got the better deal of the trade with the Hornets. Although Jamal Mashburn was good, but if the Heat had Zo early they would have won the Atlantic Division. Look out, don't be surprised if they make it to the finals and maybe win it, and if they don't everyone will know how good this Heat team is.

Giancarlo
Miami, Fla.

Raptors vs. Knicks
I think the Raptors have a good chance against the Knicks. Last year it came down to game five, but I don't think that will happen this year. I'm predicting Raptors in 4 because Vinsanity is just too much for Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston. Even though the Knicks play Vince Carter tough, I think that he'll eventually break the pressure and live up to his potential in the playoffs. Big players play big in big games and Carter is a big time player.

Joe
Manchester, Md.

The Knicks are defiantly going to beat the Raptors. Toronto is too young, too inexperienced as a team. Sprewell will shut down Carter like last year. They may be a better team than last year, but they are no match for us. We have a better center (Marcus Camby vs. Antonio Davis. Come on!), better small forward (Spree vs. Morris Peterson), and hopefully Van Gundy will start Kurt Thomas vs. Charles Oakley. We have a better defense as well. Knicks in 3.

Dylan Taft
Madison, Conn.

Knicks will defeat Raptors 3-0, just like last year. We will see great Vince Carter dunks and thrilling finishes, but don't expect to see Jeff Van Gundy lose any more hair until they play the Heat.

Charles Latner
West Lafayette, Ind.

I think the Knicks match up very well against the Raptors. Spree should have no problem with Vince, plus this year there is no Tracy McGrady to worry about, yet the Knicks should be concerned with Alvin Williams. The Charles Oakley vs.Kurt Thomas matchup should be the most exciting part of the series. Although it is very close, the Knicks will pull it off in 4 games.

eljugador17
New Jersey

I believe this year is going to be a different year for the Raptors in the playoff. It's going to 5 games and the Raptors will win for the simple reason that Marcus Camby and Larry Johnson will not be able to play effectively for the whole series.

Jamal Roberts
Toronto, Ontario