Saturday, April 20, 2013

NBA Playoff Predictions: East

LeBron James
East

First Round
 
1 Miami vs. 8 Milwaukee
Imagine that Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis dominate in this series. The Heat should still win, maybe even sweep Milwaukee.
Miami in four

2 New York vs. 7 Boston
Are the Knicks, who many consider the biggest threat to Miami in the East, ready to handle the strain and pressure of the playoffs? They have a MVP candidate in stud Carmelo Anthony, experience in Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler and a lot of depth. Now it is time they have enough to beat a Boston team who has had a home in these playoffs over the years. The Celtics have been resting Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to prepare for a run but no Rajon Rondo means the Knicks move on.
Knicks in six

3 Indiana vs. 6 Atlanta
The Hawks will look for one last playoff run before Atlanta moves into complete rebuild mode. They will need a lot from Josh Smith in order to beat an Indiana team that has proven they can beat quality teams out East. Atlanta should have issues handling Paul George who uses his large frame to bully opposing guards down low and can hit shots consistently on the perimeter. The question for Atlanta is whether they have the size to handle Roy Hibbert down low. They don't.
Indiana in five

4 Brooklyn vs. 5 Chicago
Brooklyn will play in their first playoff game since moving to Brooklyn. Luckily, they get a Chicago team without Derrick Rose and a pretty banged up Joakim Noah. The Nets have been on a tear since firing head coach Avery Johnson. Deron Williams must be his old self in this series in order to score against a Bulls team that plays shut down defense. Even if Chicago plays fantastic defense they need a difference-maker on the offensive end. Carlos Boozer has shown he can play in the playoff s and he'll have to in order to handle these Nets.
Brooklyn in seven

Semis

1 Miami vs. 4 Brooklyn
The first round shouldn't give Miami too many issues, so they should consider this match up their first series in these playoffs. The key of this series should be in the paint. The Nets have depth and talent down low, headed by Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries. Though, Brooklyn must prove that they can shut down Chris Bosh and high-flying center Chris Andersen. The team that is better in the post could end up helping themselves to the conference finals.
Miami in six

2 New York vs. 3 Indiana
With Miami snatching up one spot in the conference finals this one should decide the other. New York used their sharpshooting to handle the Celtics but they should run into a Pacers team that be just as dominant from deep. George goes off and Kidd struggles to contain the faster and more aggresive George Hill who should be healthy in this series.
Indiana in seven

Conference Finals

1 Miami vs. 3 Indiana
The Pacers, a team that hasn't had true playoff success in a while meets up with the Heat, who we all know is the reigning champ.  LeBron shows up in a big way throughout this series and Indiana struggles to contain Miami's amazing transition offense. The Pacers should give Miami their toughest match up in this year's Eastern Conference but the Heat should still end up winning the East.
Miami in six

Miami wins Eastern Conference

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