With the NBA Playoffs 2004 underway, we wanted to see if we could look ahead a bit. So, with a little help from XBOX's NBA Inside Drive 2004, we took the future into our own hands -- in the form of an XBOX controller.

And we ran the simulations based on the first round playoffs matchups. And if you compare the simulations with the results through the first 16 games of the NBA Playoffs, you won't see much of a difference. The higher seeds are dominating on the hardwood and on the hard drive.

You will be surprised by who led the first round in scoring, but the leader's list is filled with big-name players who have consistently made their big names in the playoffs.

So, without further ado, here are the NBA Playoffs 2004 simulations powered by XBOX'S NBA Inside Drive 2004.

Pacers 4 - Celtics 1
	The Celtics stunned the Pacers in Game 1, but for the remainder of the series, it was all Pacers, including a 44-point thrashing in Game 2. Game 1: Boston 80, Indiana 79 Game 2: Indiana 104, Boston 60 Game 3: Indiana 96, Boston 81 Game 4: Indiana 85, Boston 68 Game 5: Indiana 102, Boston 82 NBA Playoffs 2004: Pacers-Celtics series page

Nets 4 - Knicks 1
	The Knicks looked like they had something going when they stole Game 1, but J-Kidd and Co. took the next four and the series. Game 1: New York 97, New Jersey 86 Game 2: New Jersey 103, New York 93 Game 3: New Jersey 89, New York 88 Game 4: New Jersey 98, New York 95 Game 5: New Jersey 87, New York 75 NBA Playoffs 2004: Nets-Knicks series page

Pistons 4 - Bucks 0
	The Pistons completed one of two sweeps in the simulated first round, never letting the Bucks into the series. Game 1: Detroit 101, Milwaukee 68 Game 2: Detroit 93, Milwaukee 89 Game 3: Detroit 85, Milwaukee 68 Game 4: Detroit 102, Milwaukee 82 NBA Playoffs 2004: Pistons-Bucks series page

Heat 4 - Hornets 3

This was the only first round simulated series to go the distance, as no one lost on their home floor. As expected, Game 7 was a classic nail-biter! Game 1: Miami 92, New Orleans 86 Game 2: Miami 93, New Orleans 89 Game 3: New Orleans 91, Miami 82 Game 4: New Orleans 88, Miami 68 Game 5: Miami 99, New Orleans 89 Game 6: New Orleans 106, Miami 93 Game 7: Miami 92, New Orleans 91 NBA Playoffs 2004: Heat-Hornets series page

Timberwolves 4 - Nuggets 1
	After seven tries, the Wolves made it out of the first round ... at least in our simulations ... as they easily dispatched of the upstart Nuggets. Game 1: Minnesota 123, Denver 91 Game 2: Minnesota 102, Denver 90 Game 3: Denver 106, Minnesota 102 Game 4: Minnesota 102, Denver 98 Game 5: Minnesota 100, Denver 84 NBA Playoffs 2004: Wolves-Nuggets series page

Lakers 4 - Rockets 1
	Cover boy Shaquille O'Neal and his teammates have been here before. They made sure the Rockets' playoff stay was short. Game 1: Lakers 112, Houston 85 Game 2: Lakers 96, Houston 87 Game 3: Lakers 103, Houston 97 Game 4: Houston 93, Lakers 85 Game 5: Lakers 100, Houston 92 NBA Playoffs 2004: Lakers-Rockets series page

Spurs 4 - Grizzlies 1
	The defending NBA champs had no trouble in this simulation with the Grizzlies, who were making the first playoff appearance in franchise history. Game 1: San Antonio 90, Memphis 87 Game 2: Memphis 97, San Antonio 87 Game 3: San Antonio 96, Memphis 92 Game 4: San Antonio 96, Memphis 82 Game 5: San Antonio 105, Memphis 101 NBA Playoffs 2004: Spurs- Grizzlies series page

Kings 4 - Mavericks 0
	Surprisingly, the fourth-seeded Kings swept No. 5 seed Dallas. With the exception of a 23-point win in Game 2, the Kings won the other three games by a total of six points Game 1: Sacramento 103, Dallas 99 Game 2: Sacramento 122, Dallas 89 Game 3: Sacramento 108, Dallas 107 Game 4: Sacramento 111, Dallas 109 NBA Playoffs 2004: Kings-Mavs series page