Ben’s Sports Take: 11 Predictions Guarantees for 2011 (Part III)

Here’s the third and final installment of my list of sportsy-type things that will absolutely, definitely, guaranteed, positively take place over the next 12 months...or not.

I cranked the list up to 11 and each prediction guarantee is progressively more likely to occur as the numbers fall. In other words, the lower the number, the more likely the events are to happen. (But they’re all guarantees, so that shouldn’t really matter)
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PART III

4. Hawks lose in the first round of the Playoffs
Although the NBA team here in Atlanta has gotten off to a better start than some people predicted, there’s still more than enough time for the Birds to squander their above average start to the season away.

If the playoffs started today, the Hawks (25-14) would be the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and playing the Orlando Magic in the opening round.

But there’s no need to wait until mid-April to find out the thrilling conclusion to that matchup.

The Hawks’ inability to compete against the Magic in the postseason was well-documented last year and will rear its dispassionate head once again come 2011.

PREDICTION: Hawks get swept again by Magic; this time in the first round