We all used to complain that the NBA playoffs took too long to finish, that there were too many games, that it was just all too much. Now, the complaints are about having to wait too long for the Finals to start. Yeah, we'd call that progress.

It's going to be an outstanding series, and here are some predictions from around the Web.

• Bill Simmons: Mavericks in six.
• Daily Quickie: Heat in five.
• YAYSports!: Heat in six.
• The Association: Mavericks in five.
• J.E. Skeets: Mavericks in six.
• Chris Sheridan: Mavericks in seven.
• True Hoop: Heat in six.
• Deadspin: Mavericks in seven. The Mavericks just kind of seem like a national evolution to us. And by that, we mean "GONG SHOW."

Your predictions are encouraged after the jump.

Contact information for this author is not available.