The Cavaliers play the Chicago Bulls tonight on national television.  Kind of odd that our last game was with the Raptors, who are currently engaged in an intense battle with the Bulls for the 8th spot in the playoffs (aka the right to lose to the Cavs.)  Since Cleveland has already secured the #1 seed and homecourt throughout the playoffs, the 8th seed will have to face LeBron and company. 

Currently, the 8th seed belongs to the Toronto Raptors.  They are barely holding on though, and their 1/2 game lead is in serious jeopardy.  Toronto has to be pretty upset about the fact that Bosh was critically injured during the last Cavs game, and they won't have him any time soon.  They lost again last night, and also lost Hedo Turkoglu to injury, adding to their misery. 

This is why tonight's game could have a significant impact on who the Cavs face in the first round of the playoffs.  If Chicago can somehow beat Cleveland tonight, they will tie the Raptors for the 8th and final seed in the playoffs.  They then play New Jersey tomorrow night, and expect to win.  Toronto is off tonight; they face an always-tough Atlanta Hawks squad on Friday.

Who makes the playoffs will ultimately be decided Sunday night when the Raptors face the Bulls head-to-head.  After that all-important showdown, Toronto's last two games are against Detroit and then New York.  Chicago will finish up vs. the Bobcats and Charlotte. 

You might be asking, does any of this really matter?  The answer is obvious and was already stated; these teams are essentially fighting for the right to be swept and embarrassed by the Cavaliers in the first round.  From the looks of things, it will probably be Chicago, since Toronto has to finish their season without their star and leader Chris Bosh.  The matchup I'm looking forward to most is Varejao vs. Joakim Noah.  Is Noah one ugly-looking scrub or is it just me?

Personally, I would much rather face the Bosh-less Raptors than Derrick Rose and the Bulls.  It doesn't look likely that Toronto will hold onto their lead however.  Their only hope is that the Cavs dismantle Chicago tonight and then they win the head-to-head matchup on Sunday.  Again, let me reiterate, that none of this matters.  If Atlanta and Milwaukee hold onto their 4th and 5th seeds, respectively, then we will have to face them in the 2nd round.  After we beat the Hawks, it will likely be the winner of the Magic/Celtics 2nd round series facing the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Playoff hypotheticals are always tricky, because who can say that Orlando will beat Charlotte, or Boston will get by Miami in the 1st round.  One thing is for certain; LeBron and the Cavaliers will be waiting for whomever in the Eastern Conference Finals.  From there it's only a matter of time until the Cavs play for the championship.  LeBron is on a mission this year, and with home-court throughout the playoffs, it doesn't look like anyone else stands a chance.  LeBron will be the MVP (and finals MVP).  LeBron James is Underrated