Predictions: East First Round
(1) Miami Heat v (8) Milwaukee Bucks (4) Brooklyn Nets v (5) Chicago Bulls (3) Indiana Pacers v (6) Atlanta Hawks (2) New York Knicks v (7) Boston Celtics
Miami Heat v Milwaukee Bucks This shouldn't be much of a contest. Its very easy to say that the Heat can beat anyone this year but breaking down the brackets, there just any reason to see any major troubles coming from Milwaukee. LeBron and Wade will overpower the Bucks, Bosh staying steady down low and the heat guards can keep Brandon Jennings and Monte Ellis down enough to prevent a big scoring outing from either of them. This should be quick and easy with very few surprises.
Result: Heat win 4-0
Brooklyn Nets v Chicago Bulls Though it certainly wouldve affected the standings and these teams may not have ended up meeting, I still wouldve loved to see Derrick Rose v Deron Williams in the opening round. Both have solid resources up front, where the best matchups will come from the likes of Joakim Noah against Brook Lopez. With Rose out, Williams definitely has the matchup advantage at point guard, though if the Bulls slide Rip Hamilton over to cover him things might get more interesting. The Bulls are a cohesive unit on the defensive end and can keep the pressure on while rotating people throughout the game but I just dont see the offense needed coming out of the Bulls for four games the same way the Nets can turn to Williams or Joe Johnson. The Brooklyn crowd will be rocking for their first playoff series win.
Result: Nets win 4-2
Indiana Pacers v Atlanta Hawks Not a marquee matchup in terms of franchises but a more equal contest than it would first appear. The advantage goes to Indiana, having previous playoff experience having the chance to deal with the Heat last year before faltering late. However, Atlanta seems to have their key players matched against Indianas. Al Horford and Roy Hibbert will be a tough battle in the post and Josh Smith is more than capable of defending the versatile Danny Granger. The x factor is Devin Harris as hes shown potential, but for perhaps a bit too long without producing results. If he can dictate the pace and get people involved, then maybe well see a different result, but right now I see Indiana pulling through on the strength of David West being too much at power forward.
Result: Pacers win 4-1
New York Knicks v Boston Celtics Considering the great improvement the Knicks have made this year, a win over the Celtics will not only get rid of nagging playoff doubts but also provide a huge confidence boost. The Celtics will throw everything at Carmelo Anthony, but he always finds his twenty to twenty five points and I think Mike Woodson has finally gotten the whole team bought into a defensive ideology that theyve sustained for the season and can rely on in the playoffs. I wouldnt be surprised if home court doesnt mean anything in this series and both teams will steal wins. While Bostons done well and relied on their past experience before, I see the Knicks being more amped than ever to finally put their troubles behind them and get past the first round in a tight series.
Result: Knicks win 4-3 Click next to reveal how we see the East Semi-Finals will play out...