Chicago Bulls [1] vs Philadelphia 76ers [8]
Philly actually fared pretty well against the Bulls this season, all things considered. They beat them in the first meeting and made each of the next two interesting. That being said, this Sixers team has been steadily slipping since the All-Star break. Their biggest problem is probably an inability to get good shots (especially late in close games), and against a stifling defense like that of the Bulls (and a great closer in Derrick Rose) their struggles will only be magnified. Chicago should take control of this series early and end it abruptly.
NBA247365.COM Guaransheed: Bulls in 5.
Miami Heat [2] vs New York Knicks [7]
Finally, nine years after being drafted by the Cavaliers and the Nuggets, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony will meet in the playoffs. While I believe in the offensive ability of Anthony (especially when he’s rolling like he has been lately) I don’t think he can carry the Knicks to a victory in this series. I do think he, in conjunction with explosive shooters JR Smith and Steve Novak, makes New York a threat to win as many as two games, but the wild road that’s been the 2011/12 Knickerbocker season will end in South Beach. As great as Carmelo is, LeBron is better. I expect Chris Bosh to step his game up and treat Amare Stoudemire similar to how he treated Carlos Boozer last season. That ought to be enough to get the Heat out of the first round.
Note: Tyson Chandler has the flu and could miss game one. Even if he plays he’ll probably have a rough go of things. Playing with the flu is tough as it zaps your energy, and the Knicks need every ounce of Tyson Chandler’s energy in this series.
NBA247365.COM Guaransheed: Heat in 6.
Indiana Pacers [3] vs Orlando Magic [6]
The Pacers would probably take this even if Howard was playing. Without Dwight… sh!t, Orlando will be lucky to win a game. The Magic simply do not have the talent of a playoff-caliber team, and that’s really all there is to it. They’ve still got the potential to get hot from downtown, but they won’t get all the open looks without their star big man drawing defenders into the paint. To make matters even more complicated, Glen Davis has a sprained ankle. He’ll play, but he’s not 100%. As long as Indiana comes out focused they’ll be ending this series very swiftly and resting up for the second round.
NBA247365.COM Guaransheed: Pacers in 4.
Boston Celtics [4] vs Atlanta Hawks [5]
When matched up with the Cs Josh Smith turns into a 39% shooter who fires about 2.5 bricks from three-point land. This doesn’t bode well for the Hawks, nor does the fact that Jeff Teague is only making 24.7% of his threes since the All-Star break. Although Atlanta finished the season with the fourth-best record in the East, I think they’re complete fool’s gold… as they always are. They went 13-17 against playoff teams this season, even when you include late-season games against the resting Celtics and the Howard-less Magic. Now, the Celtics are only 17-18 against playoff opponents, but that takes their miserable start into account. I think we’re all very well aware that this isn’t the same team as the one that begun the season, and I think they’re capable of advancing as far as the Conference Finals. Atlanta’s athleticism gives them some problems from time to time, but they’ll win this eventually.
NBA247365.COM Guaransheed: Celtics in 6.
