One of the best things about the current season is that there is no clear frontrunner for the title. The Mavs and the Suns both have incredible records, but the Spurs with their recent winning streak are just as credible, and it makes sense to worry about the Jazz, Pistons, Rockets, and even the Heat as title contenders. I exclude the Cavs because I won't believe they can take the Pistons in a playoff series until I see it. In any case, the winner of the West will be ravaged by a difficult playoff schedule - two or three rounds of cutthroat games against evenly matched teams - whereas the East winner could have it comparatively easy.
Imagine this scenario: Phoenix defeats the Nuggets, the Spurs, and the Mavs to face the Pistons in the finals, who went through Orlando, Chicago, and Cleveland. The Suns could easily play 20 playoff games by that point as compared to Detroit's 15, with far fewer off-days and far more left on the court. Who would you favor?
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I question you calculation of 20 games for the Suns vs. 15 for the Pistons. In your scenario, I think Pistons/Chicago and Pistons/Cleveland go as deep as Phoenix/Spurs and Phoenix/Mavs (6 or 7 games for each of the series. The nuggets are better competition than the *ugh* Magic, but maybe 1 game difference.
Enjoy the tournament
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