The 2012 NBA Playoffs have finally arrived, and in the Eastern Conference the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat still the cream of the crop, but injuries to Derrick Rose have created some space for the Boston Celtics to jump back up to?pseudo-contention status. The Atlanta Hawks would love to join the Celtics ?at that level, but with a head-to-head first round matchup the Hawks?would?have to take that title away from Boston. Do the New York Knicks have any chance at an upset? How lopsided are the matchups? Take a look at the chart I?ve embedded to compare playoff teams in various advanced stat categories. and be sure to read up on the short blurbs as well.
No. 1 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 8 Philadelphia 76ers
Tom Thibodeau has managed to push the Bulls to insane heights this season considering the lingering injuries to Derrick Rose, Richard Hamilton and Luol Deng (among others), while Doug Collins turned a fast start by Philadelphia into a near-disaster. In fact, you could argue it?s still a disaster. If Rose is injured things become a bit more interesting, but in general the Bulls are not the team you want to see in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Chicago has knocked off plenty of top teams this season, but the Sixers are like their wimpier younger brother. Both rely on defense to gain their edge over opponents and in this series the Bulls are going to come out with better defense. Why? The Sixers take a lot of long jumpshots?(as I detailed a while back) and should?struggle?to score against the Bulls. The only reason I?m even extending this series to six games is because there is almost no way Derrick Rose will be a 100%.
Prediction:?Bulls in 6
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No. 2 Miami Heat vs. No. 7 New York Knicks
Analysis: If Tyson Chandler misses game one with flu-like symptoms, there are big problems for the Knicks. Chandler holds things together on offense and defense, and he?s amid one of the most efficient offensive seasons in the history of the league (as I detailed a while back), so if he?s anything less than 100% there is no amount of Carmelo Anthony isos that could make things right. Melo has been great since Mike Woodson refocused the offense around his offensive talents, but the Miami Heat have more than enough talented defenders to throw at Melo. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade aren?t going to let this series get away from them, so I expect a strong start that puts the Knicks on their their heels.
Prediction: Heat in 5
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No. 3 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 6 Orlando Magic
Analysis: The Orlando Magic are done. Finished. Dwight Howard has sunk their battleship. There really isn?t much more to say, honestly. I really like Ryan Anderson, but when stories start coming out about the need for Jameer Nelson to raise his game to a new level, it?s over. Because I don?t think this will be much of a series, let?s close with a joke.
Q: Where does Stan Van Gundy hide his porn stash(e)? A: On his face. It works better as a verbal joke, I promise.
Prediction: Pacers In 4
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No. 5 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics
Analysis: Avery Bradley is the talk of the town and Ray Allen?s absence has been sort of brushed under the rug at this point, but the Celtics have certainly found a nice combination near the end of the season. Are they primed for a run to the NBA Finals? I don?t really think so, even if Kevin Garnett can handle 30 minutes per game at the center position. The main point is that the Celtics vets can keep things going for a series or two and the Hawks have failed to show this year is different than any other with this same core.
Prediction: Celtics In 5
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