Inuit and I are watching The Playoffs together, and shaking our heads. We are surprised anyone is shocked that the Miami Heat got eliminated in the first round. Obviously, none of those people who were shocked watched the opening game of the season where the Chicago Bulls dusted the Heat as they began their “title defense.” They didn’t play much better throughout the season.

As for the Detroit and Chicago series? I don’t believe it will last very long, but sometimes things change with a move to the losing team’s home court. If not, it will be a sweep.

The Dallas Mavericks? One need look no further back the Detroit Pistons of two years ago and the San Antonio Spurs last year. They aced the season but were too worn out to go the distance in the Playoffs. Neither team will make that mistake again for quite some time — and I doubt Dallas will either.

Of course, match ups have something to do with it. If Dallas had been matched up with any of the six remaining seeds instead of Golden State for the first round, they would likely still be in the mix. Golden State had their number. I suggest the same is true for Phoenix — if they were matched up with anyone but San Antonio in the second round, they’d do fine. San Antonio gives them fits. Dallas? They can beat Dallas — but with the match ups this year, they couldn’t get to Dallas without going through San Antonio. And now they won’t have that chance.

Utah and Golden State? I’m not sure. Their Game 1 is kicking off as I type, so we’ll see who’s hungrier.

I almost forgot, Cleveland and New Jersey. Need I say more? I suppose Cleveland will walk away with a win for the series. New Jersey might make them work for it. For the Eastern Conference Finals? Cleveland and Detroit. I’m not sure Cleveland is ready to pull it off, but they could. I’m leaning toward Detroit, but we’ll see who’s hungrier.

The Western Conference Finals? San Antonio and . . . I’m thinking Utah. No matter who, I think San Antonio can carry it all.

With Inuit sitting next to me, I can’t say anything different.