Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat (66-16) Record: 66-16 PPG: 102.9 (5th) PA: 95.0 (5th) The reigning champs have certainly upped the ante in their bid to repeat. Regular season records dont mean everything come playoff time but theyve managed to put a massive twelve game difference between themselves and the second seeds, New York. They even managed a twenty seven game winning streak (the second highest in NBA history) and theyve managed to keep their core of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh active but not tired in the later stages of the schedule. Theyre riding a wave of momentum into the playoffs and James is still proving us he is the best basketball player in the world.
2. New York Knicks Record: 54-28 PPG: 100.0 (11th) PA: 95.7 (7th) Despite having the oldest roster not only in the league but in NBA history, the Knicks have played solid defence behind Carmelo Anthonys scoring brilliance to grab the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Jason Kidd, even though recently turning 40, has stayed healthy and provided solid leadership and play-making ability all season long and JR Smith still has the ability to go off and score forty points out of nowhere. Credit has to be given to Mike Woodson who has brought a defensive mentality back to New York who look to sharply improve on recent playoff record which has been terrible. Tyson Chandler holds down the frontcourt as the defensive anchor in a team that may be ready to finally do some damage in big games.
3. Indiana Pacers Record: 49-32 PPG: 94.7 (23rd) PA: 90.7 (2nd) The Pacers have a very versatile team as they can crank up the tempo with George Hill, Paul George and Danny Granger, have a variety of three point options as well as Roy Hibbert being one of the best centres in the league. The Pacers, however, have become a victim of the leagues shift away from big-man play towards combo guard/forwards. In todays game the centre is used as a defensive staple rather than a consistent scoring option. Memphis plays the closest to old fashioned ball but even that is because they have a two-forward approach. The focus has moved to the small forward and point guard position meaning Hibbert, while still an all-star player, is not the focus of the offensive game-plan. Perhaps he should be as he spearheads one of the leagues best defences, but regardless, Indianas scoring options are solid, if a little unreliable.
4. Brooklyn Nets Record: 49-33 PPG: 96.9 (17th) PA: 95.1 (6th) After missing out on signing Dwight Howard in the offseason, the Nets have had a turbulent time but managed to carve out a solid season. The move to Brooklyn from New Jersey brought some big expectations and Joe Johnson hasnt dropped off since being signed away from Atlanta. Theyve got some talent up front too, with Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries a solid, but not stellar, centre-forward combination. Their main strength comes in Deron Williams who is peeking at the right time and point guard has arguably become
the key position in todays NBA, so Williams is a reliable asset. Through in Gerald Wallace providing his trademark defence and you have a team that isnt a sexy pick but has all the right parts.
5. Chicago Bulls Record: 45-37 PPG: 93.2 (28th) PA: 92.9 (3rd) Chicago has had to endure a lot of injury woes this year, starting right at the top with star point guard Derrick Rose sitting out the entire season after surgery for the injury he suffered in last years playoffs. The media has also stirred up a storm claiming Rose should come back to improve the Bulls playoff hopes but Rose seems, quite rightly, to be holding off and staying on the bench. The rest of the team has held their defensive mentality in check, staying one of the leagues best under their coach Tom Thibodeau. Joakim Noah keeps the centre position tight but injuries look to get in the way, limiting his minutes. The Bulls will have to really step up their offence to have success, which their capable of through Carlos Boozer, Rip Hamilton and the offensive spark of Nate Robinson but one of these will have to become a consistently high scorer to get some playoff momentum going.
6. Atlanta Hawks Record: 44-38 PPG: 98.0 (13th) PA: 97.5 (13th) The Hawks have again meandered in the middle of the league. Not bad enough to have playoff worries but not good enough to cause some damage. Their star, Josh Smith, isnt at his best and trade rumours swirled in the middle of the season but alas, he remain in Atlanta where everything seems to be very middle of the road. Solid defence. Good scoring options. Decent rebounding. They have one of the leagues better centres in Al Horford and have a chance is someone can come out of the gates hot.
7. Boston Celtics Record: 41-40 PPG: 96.5 (18th) PA: 96.7 (12th) The Celtics season has been lacklustre since losing Ray Allen to the Miami Heat and Bostons age seems to have caught up to them. Losing Rajon Rondo for the season was a massive blow but the team seems to have had some time to adjust and the amount of experience they have makes them quite dangerous no matter where they are seeded. The Boston Garden is a hard place to go to and win and theyve got playoff savvy to spare so any road game could see them steal home court. Theyll look to slow it down and use Kevin Garnett to his fullest and hes still one of the best leaders in the game, so Boston may be the strongest underdogs coming into this seasons playoffs.
8. Milwaukee Bucks Record: 38-44 PPG: 98.9 (12th) PA: 100.4 (20th) Any team that makes the playoffs with a losing record knows that they do not sit in a very strong position. This time we have the Bucks, we love to shoot but need to improve as a whole on the defensive end (the freakish athleticism of forward, Larry Sanders, certainly helping on that front). Theyve got a great guard combination in Brandon Jennings and Monte Ellis, but theyre both capable of shooting the lights out or drawing a dud. Theyre optimistic about their playoff hopes but I dont see them making it very far if they do make it past the first round. How do the first round series in the East measure up? Click to the next page to find out!