Though the two-time defending champions reside in the West, the Eastern Conference playoffs are shaping up to be the marquee event of this postseason. Can Derrick Rose continue to lead the Bulls all the way through to the finals? What about Boston and its veterans, and the Heat's terrific trio? The Daily provides a primer for the first-round matchups set to begin this weekend:
No. 1 Bulls vs. No. 8 Pacers:
Since the NBA expanded to a 16-team playoff format in 1984, only three eight-seeds — the 1994 Nuggets, the 1999 Knicks and the 2007 Warriors — have managed to topple their top-seeded opponents. The Pacers will not turn this trio into a quartet. While the Bulls may not be any more dominant than the opponents the three "upsetters" faced, the Pacers lack the dominating presence of a young Dikembe Mutombo on the 1994 Nuggets, the coaching ability of Jeff Van Gundy and the stifling defense of the 1999 Knicks, and the fearless leadership of Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson and an unbelievable crowd that carried the 2007 Warriors. Instead, the Pacers are a team that has a 37-44 record with a roster full of inexperienced playoff players.
As for the Bulls, by now it is clear how dominant they are. Derrick Rose, the presumptive MVP, has been as dynamic an offensive force as anyone in the league. And with a defense led off the court by defensive guru Tom Thibodeau (who was largely responsible for running the defense during the Celtics' last three playoff runs) and on it by Joakim Noah, Chicago has steamrolled opponents in a fashion that hasn't been seen since that Jordan guy played. Not only have the Bulls had a tremendous season, but they've played their best basketball of late, winning their last eight games and last 12 of 13.
The Pick: Bulls in five
No. 2 Heat vs. No. 7 76ers:
After 82 games, the verdict is still out on what the Heat (or Heatles, or MoHeatos, or whatever you want to call them) are really all about. Are they the team that looked unbeatable on Christmas Day against the Lakers or the squad that looked lifeless in a loss at Cleveland?
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have been dominant at times and have produced unbelievable plays possible only for two phenomenal athletes at the peak of their game (did you see that full-court alley-oop?). At other times, however, the offense has stagnated, with James and Wade appearing tentative to step on the other's toes. As for the third amigo, Chris Bosh, it's hard to argue that his style of play and necessity of receiving the ball in the low post complements Wade and James the way Pat Reilly thought it would when the team was assembled. Still, with James and Wade on the floor, it's hard to imagine how a team can keep at least one of them from taking over in a seven-game series.
Yet the 76ers may be one of the best-suited teams to slow down the Heat's slashing attack. Sixers swingman Andre Iguodala has made a season of shutting down the league's premier scorers. Elton Brand has taken a trip down memory lane and regained some of the form that made him one of the premier low-post players in the league, which could cause problems against what has been a soft interior defense for the Heat. Coach Doug Collins has turned around a team that started the season 3-13 and has gotten his squad to buy into his methods. In the end, however, James and Wade should prove too much for the Sixers to contain for a whole series, and Philadelphia doesn't have a dynamic enough offense to expect success in close playoff games.
The Pick: Heat in five
No. 3 Celtics vs. No. 6 Knicks:
For basketball purists, this is a matchup made in heaven: two of the NBA's first franchises going head-to-head in the playoffs for the first time since 1990. The Boston-New York rivalry has blossomed this season, headlined by a dramatic Dec. 15 Celtics win on a game-winning Paul Pierce jumper in front of an electric Madison Square Garden crowd.
For the Celtics, the key — as it has been all season long — will be health. How many minutes, if any, will Shaquille O'Neal be able to provide? And what about his fellow O'Neal, Jermaine? If the two can play anywhere-near-significant minutes to help a front line that has struggled tremendously to rebound, it would be huge for the Celtics.
The Celtics' success also depends on the effectiveness and energy of Rajon Rondo. When the shifty point guard is running the floor on fast breaks, penetrating and attacking the rim, the Celtics possess one of the most beautiful offenses in recent NBA history. When Rondo becomes complacent, however, the energy of the whole team comes down, and the C's go through some ugly stretches of basketball, as they have a few times this season.
The hopes of the Knicks rest on the shoulders of Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. Anthony has played tremendously well offensively since coming to New York in a deadline deal, and Stoudemire has embraced his new teammate without suffering much of a drop-off in his own production. What remains to be seen, however, is if the Knicks will be able to make a key defensive stop when the time comes; under Mike D'Antoni, the Knicks defense has often been lackadaisical at best. If New York can't come up with a formula to keep offenses from running rampant, it's hard to see how they can win a playoff series.
The Pick: Celtics in six.
No. 4 Magic vs. No. 5 Hawks:
In a repeat of last year's second-round matchup — a Magic sweep with an average margin of victory of 25 points — this year's version presents a fight between two underachieving squads. The Magic underwent a roster overhaul, and the changes resulted in eight fewer wins than a year ago and a team that few believe possesses enough talent or passion to make a title run. Apart from Dwight Howard's dominance, most of Orlando's players are having unimpressive seasons, and new players like Jason Richardson and Gilbert Arenas have failed to meet expectations. For his part, Howard has had an incredible year, averaging 23 points, 14 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while shooting just a shade under 60 percent from the field.
As for the Hawks, they've been a model of inconsistency and uninspiring basketball, led by their $119 million man, Joe Johnson. Johnson is averaging just 18.5 points per game, his lowest average since the 2004-05 season. His 3-point shooting percentage is below 30 percent for the first time since his rookie season. His partner in crime, Josh Smith, who a year ago was praised for his decision to stop shooting (and subsequently missing) 3-pointers, decided to give the long-distance shot another attempt to enter his repertoire, and, to no surprise, has shot just 33 percent from behind the arc. The Hawks certainly have talent, but the lack of energy they have shown all season will continue to plague them in the playoffs.
The Pick: Magic in six.
