The Beasts in the East
Chicago Bulls (1) vs. Indiana Pacers (8)
Match-ups:
PG: Derrick Rose vs. Darren Collison
SG: Keith Bogans vs. Paul George
SF: Luol Deng vs. Danny Granger
PF: Carlos Boozer vs. Tyler Hansbrough
C: Joakim Noah vs. Roy Hibbert
This match-up will end up very similar to that of the Bulls’ last season, though on the opposite end of the spectrum. This time Chicago is the top dog playing host to the upstart Pacers. Indiana is a young, tough, and well-coached team that won’t have enough talent to hang with Chicago. However, like Joakim Noah last season vs. LeBron’s Cavs, Danny Granger has made it clear Indiana will fight through every game. The stars here are obviously Derrick Rose and Danny Granger. However, Rose should exploit Collison through the series, as like most match-ups for Rose, he has every physical advantage over the solid Collison. The Bulls however, have a fringe All-Star and probable All-NBA defender in Luol Deng to throw against Granger, as well as the best team defense in the NBA to help slow him down. Expect some tough shooting nights from Granger. Tyler Hansbrough’s spasmic energy may frustrate Boozer down low, and a few Duke vs. UNC bad blood shoving matches between the two would not be a surprise. With young talent at one through five, the Pacers have a bright future. If the Pacers determine Hibbert and Hansbrough aren't building blocks, they could package the pair for another star scorer to pair with Granger. However, this team’s ceiling may be to lose entertaining match-ups year in and year out to the Heat and Bulls. Party like it’s 1996.
Pick: Bulls 4-1
Miami Heat (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)
Match-ups:
PG: Mario Chalmers vs. Jrue Holliday
SG: Dwyane Wade vs. Jodie Meeks
SF: LeBron James vs. Andre Igoudala
PF: Chris Bosh vs. Elton Brand
C: Erik Dampier vs. Spencer Hawes
With the Big Threegos, we know where the obvious match-up advantages are here. And unfortunately for Philly they may hae the superior point guard and center positions, in Jrue Holliday and Spencer Hawes, but that duo is not striking fear in anybody. Expect Dwyane Wade to abuse Jodie Meeks and cripple his confidence by game 2. You can’t really ask for a better defender to put on LeBron than Andre Igoudala, but will it matter? Elton Brand had his best season in Philadelphia, but the length and athleticism of Bosh will frustrate him. It’s unfortunate the 76ers drew this match-up, as with their youth, athleticism, and team offense I think they could have put a scare in Boston had they been able to hold onto the 6 seed. Great work by Doug Collins on the season, as he took one of the worst teams in the NBA and made them a playoff team with virtually the same roster. Evan Turner will have to make huge strides in the next two seasons for this team to advance any further than a first round exit. As it stands, however, I only see over-confidence leading to any wins for the scrappy 6ers.
Pick: Miami 4-1
Boston Celtics (3) vs. New York Knicks
Match-ups:
PG: Rajon Rondo vs. Chauncey Billups
SG: Ray Allen vs. Landry Fields
SF: Paul Pierce vs. Carmelo Anthony
PF: Kevin Garnett vs. Amare Stoudemire
C: Jermaine O’Neal vs. Jared Jeffries
This will be the most entertaining of the first-round series’ and a classic offense vs. defense match-up. The current trending of the two teams’ makes me want to pick New York in the upset. However, Boston has that championship grit, and is always capable of making a run. Seeing as how New York does not have any true centers, this as far as Boston can go without 30 minutes per game of Shaq. Rondo versus Billups is about as polar opposite of styles as a point guard match-up can be. Rondo is a young, slashing, creative passer with a specialty on defense. Billups is the smooth-shooting heady veteran whose defense has slipped a bit as his quickness has gone in recent years, but is a force to be reckoned with at the end of games. As if sticking LeBron James and Kobe Bryant weren’t enough, Paul Pierce now has Carmelo Anthony to hound for an entire series. Kevin Garnett seems fresher at this stage than Amare, who seems to have burnt out from carrying the Knicks for the first 2/3 of the season. The Celtics’ team defense and rebounding should be enough to carry them past the rising Knicks. Jared Jeffries and Shelden Williams are stiffs at center, and Boston should be fine with Nenad Krstic and whatever they can get out of the O’Neal brothers. Jermaine O'Neal's 37 minute double double against Washington was very encouraging to see for Boston. There is no chance of them getting out of the second round with Krstic playing 30 minutes.
Pick: Boston 4-2
Orlando Magic (4) vs. Atlanta Hawks (5)
The match-ups:
PG: Jameer Nelson vs. Kirk Hinrich
SG: Jason Richardson vs. Joe Johnson
SF: Hedo Turkoglu vs. Josh Smith
PF: Brandon Bass vs. Al Horford
C: Dwight Howard vs. Zaza Pachulia
These teams deserve each other. They are the two biggest underachievers in the league and frequently seem disinterested, like winning games is not of importance. When Orlando made the big trade earlier, I was all for it. Now, seeing what Marcin Gortat has done with his minutes in Pheonix, I am wondering how they pass up the opportunity to put the perfect power forward next to Howard. How do you pass on having two 7 foot shot-blocking big men? Who would be able to drive against that duo? Who would even want to try? Offensively, they even complement each other, as Gortat can hit the midrange J, and even jacks up a few threes in Pheonix (then again once you cross into Arizona you are given the green light to throw up some triples). This has the potential to be an epic and high-scoring affair. However, both teams have proven thus far they are not going to live up to their potential. This has the makings of a going-through-the motions series, with the teams trading who will go through the motions with slightly more enthusiasm and energy.
Orlando 4-2
Chicago Bulls (1) vs. Indiana Pacers (8)
Match-ups:
PG: Derrick Rose vs. Darren Collison
SG: Keith Bogans vs. Paul George
SF: Luol Deng vs. Danny Granger
PF: Carlos Boozer vs. Tyler Hansbrough
C: Joakim Noah vs. Roy Hibbert
This match-up will end up very similar to that of the Bulls’ last season, though on the opposite end of the spectrum. This time Chicago is the top dog playing host to the upstart Pacers. Indiana is a young, tough, and well-coached team that won’t have enough talent to hang with Chicago. However, like Joakim Noah last season vs. LeBron’s Cavs, Danny Granger has made it clear Indiana will fight through every game. The stars here are obviously Derrick Rose and Danny Granger. However, Rose should exploit Collison through the series, as like most match-ups for Rose, he has every physical advantage over the solid Collison. The Bulls however, have a fringe All-Star and probable All-NBA defender in Luol Deng to throw against Granger, as well as the best team defense in the NBA to help slow him down. Expect some tough shooting nights from Granger. Tyler Hansbrough’s spasmic energy may frustrate Boozer down low, and a few Duke vs. UNC bad blood shoving matches between the two would not be a surprise. With young talent at one through five, the Pacers have a bright future. If the Pacers determine Hibbert and Hansbrough aren't building blocks, they could package the pair for another star scorer to pair with Granger. However, this team’s ceiling may be to lose entertaining match-ups year in and year out to the Heat and Bulls. Party like it’s 1996.
Pick: Bulls 4-1
Miami Heat (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)
Match-ups:
PG: Mario Chalmers vs. Jrue Holliday
SG: Dwyane Wade vs. Jodie Meeks
SF: LeBron James vs. Andre Igoudala
PF: Chris Bosh vs. Elton Brand
C: Erik Dampier vs. Spencer Hawes
With the Big Threegos, we know where the obvious match-up advantages are here. And unfortunately for Philly they may hae the superior point guard and center positions, in Jrue Holliday and Spencer Hawes, but that duo is not striking fear in anybody. Expect Dwyane Wade to abuse Jodie Meeks and cripple his confidence by game 2. You can’t really ask for a better defender to put on LeBron than Andre Igoudala, but will it matter? Elton Brand had his best season in Philadelphia, but the length and athleticism of Bosh will frustrate him. It’s unfortunate the 76ers drew this match-up, as with their youth, athleticism, and team offense I think they could have put a scare in Boston had they been able to hold onto the 6 seed. Great work by Doug Collins on the season, as he took one of the worst teams in the NBA and made them a playoff team with virtually the same roster. Evan Turner will have to make huge strides in the next two seasons for this team to advance any further than a first round exit. As it stands, however, I only see over-confidence leading to any wins for the scrappy 6ers.
Pick: Miami 4-1
Boston Celtics (3) vs. New York Knicks
Match-ups:
PG: Rajon Rondo vs. Chauncey Billups
SG: Ray Allen vs. Landry Fields
SF: Paul Pierce vs. Carmelo Anthony
PF: Kevin Garnett vs. Amare Stoudemire
C: Jermaine O’Neal vs. Jared Jeffries
This will be the most entertaining of the first-round series’ and a classic offense vs. defense match-up. The current trending of the two teams’ makes me want to pick New York in the upset. However, Boston has that championship grit, and is always capable of making a run. Seeing as how New York does not have any true centers, this as far as Boston can go without 30 minutes per game of Shaq. Rondo versus Billups is about as polar opposite of styles as a point guard match-up can be. Rondo is a young, slashing, creative passer with a specialty on defense. Billups is the smooth-shooting heady veteran whose defense has slipped a bit as his quickness has gone in recent years, but is a force to be reckoned with at the end of games. As if sticking LeBron James and Kobe Bryant weren’t enough, Paul Pierce now has Carmelo Anthony to hound for an entire series. Kevin Garnett seems fresher at this stage than Amare, who seems to have burnt out from carrying the Knicks for the first 2/3 of the season. The Celtics’ team defense and rebounding should be enough to carry them past the rising Knicks. Jared Jeffries and Shelden Williams are stiffs at center, and Boston should be fine with Nenad Krstic and whatever they can get out of the O’Neal brothers. Jermaine O'Neal's 37 minute double double against Washington was very encouraging to see for Boston. There is no chance of them getting out of the second round with Krstic playing 30 minutes.
Pick: Boston 4-2
Orlando Magic (4) vs. Atlanta Hawks (5)
The match-ups:
PG: Jameer Nelson vs. Kirk Hinrich
SG: Jason Richardson vs. Joe Johnson
SF: Hedo Turkoglu vs. Josh Smith
PF: Brandon Bass vs. Al Horford
C: Dwight Howard vs. Zaza Pachulia
These teams deserve each other. They are the two biggest underachievers in the league and frequently seem disinterested, like winning games is not of importance. When Orlando made the big trade earlier, I was all for it. Now, seeing what Marcin Gortat has done with his minutes in Pheonix, I am wondering how they pass up the opportunity to put the perfect power forward next to Howard. How do you pass on having two 7 foot shot-blocking big men? Who would be able to drive against that duo? Who would even want to try? Offensively, they even complement each other, as Gortat can hit the midrange J, and even jacks up a few threes in Pheonix (then again once you cross into Arizona you are given the green light to throw up some triples). This has the potential to be an epic and high-scoring affair. However, both teams have proven thus far they are not going to live up to their potential. This has the makings of a going-through-the motions series, with the teams trading who will go through the motions with slightly more enthusiasm and energy.
Orlando 4-2
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