NBA Playoff Preview: Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference

1) Chicago vs. 8) Indiana- Indiana should just be happy to be here. They are 10 games under .500, and will be lucky to win one game.
Pick: Chicago in 4


2) Miami vs. 7) Philadelphia- Doug Collins deserves credit for turning Philadelphia around and they have a very strong defensive team; however, they don't have an answer for both Wade and James.
Pick: Miami in 5

3) Boston vs. 6) New York- New York will give Boston a tough time and put more minutes on the aging Pierce, Garnett and Allen; but, Garnett will contain Stoudemire and Jeff Green and Paul Pierce can keep Anthony in check. Ultimately, great team defense is better than a strong offense.
Pick: Boston in 6

4) Orlando vs. 5) Atlanta- Orlando has Dwight Howard. Jameer Nelson is a decent point guard, but besides that Orlando really doesn't have too much. However, the Hawks have less. Joe Johnson is one of the most overpaid players in the league and just looks bored when he plays. Al Horford is a great player, but he can't do everything. Bottom Line: the Hawks have no one to stop Dwight Howard.
Pick: Orlando in 5

Semifinals

2) Miami vs. 3) Boston- This is going to be one hell of a series. Boston hates Miami on and off the court. The X factor is Rajon Rondo, but he seems lost after the Kendrick Perkins trade. I just don't see how Boston can guard Lebron and Wade and still be strong offensively. Ultimately, Lebron's athleticism and size plus Wade's ability to get to the rim and score in crunch time will be too much for the aging Celtics.
Pick: Miami in 7

1) Chicago vs. 4) Orlando- Chicago has got a ton of big bodies to put on Howard and Thibodeau shut down Howard last year on the Boston bench. So, he will do it again, Orlando has no answer for Derrick Rose and Chicago has an answer for Howard.
Pick: Chicago in 6

Finals

1) Chicago vs. 2) Miami- Lebron and Wade have been here before, Derrick Rose has not. Every matchup between the teams this year have been close with Chicago winning at the end. I really could see this going either way. When Lebron and Wade go off and have that look, you can't stop them. Is Chicago's defense going to be able to contain these two? Thibodeau knows how to draw up every defensive scheme in the book to stop these guys. If Lebron and Wade go off, Miami will win, but I don't see that happening.
Pick: Chicago in 7


NBA Finals Prediction in Western Conference Preview