NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference First Round Preview

NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference First Round Preview

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(1) Indiana Pacers vs (8) Atlanta Hawks

Indiana Pacers (56-26)

Offense: 96.7 PPG, 44.7 RPG, 20.1 APG, 44.9%, 77.9 FT%, 35.7 3P%, 14.5 TOPG

Defense: 92.3 PPG, 42.0 FG%, 34.5 3P%, 13.2 TOPG

 

The Pacers broke out as a team in the playoffs last season. Roy Hibbert dominated as a low post presence and Paul George excelled like a superstar. They took the momentum into the beginning of the season and were the best team in the NBA for the first few months. They peaked too early and struggled tremendously down the stretch. They almost blew the first seed after building a healthy lead on the Miami Heat but retook and kept it late. The success of the Pacers is directly correlated with the play of Paul George. When he plays like a superstar, they are a great team. However, his performance has declined every month and his team’s recorded trended down too. His shooting percentages of 41%, 37.2%, and 40.2% in the last three month of the season are not acceptable. The Pacers are a deep team with a lot of good players and they defend. However, they need George to be the superstar he should be. They are a terrible offensive team without George leading them and giving them an identity. Their pickups during the season also have not worked out. Andrew Bynum has not been able to get on the court. Evan Turner has not made an impact since joining the Pacers. While they needed to get rid of Danny Granger to protect the chemistry, he could have provided the outside shooting they sorely need.

 

Their atrocious play down the stretch of the season is not encouraging. However, they get a fresh start in the playoffs. The Seattle Seahawks also peaked early then struggled down the stretch of the regular season of the NFL season. Obviously, they got hot again in the playoffs and won the Super Bowl. The Pacers can definitely do something similar if they can pick up their game in the playoffs. Nevertheless, the finish to the season is alarming.

 

Atlanta Hawks (38-44)

 

Offense: 101 PPG, 40 RPG, 24.9 APG, 45.8%, 78.1 FT%, 36.3 3P%, 14.5 TOPG

Defense: 101.5 PPG, 46.2 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 14.5 TOPG

 

Someone has to get the 8th seed in the East. The Hawks are a mediocre team but benefit from being in the far inferior conference. Nevertheless, they do have some good players. Al Horford and Paul Millsap formed a solid frontline. Unfortunately, Horford suffered a serious injury and is out. Jeff Teague has developed into a decent point guard. Millsap and Teague are not nearly enough to make the Hawks a good team. In the past, the Hawks were a deep, good team without a superstar to lead them to be legitimate title contenders. Now, they still do not have a superstar and have a lot less depth and good players.

 

Season Series:

 

They split the series 2-2 and each team won on the other’s home court. Only one of the games was close. The Hawks blew the Pacers out 107-88 in their last meeting of the season during the Pacers’ swoon.

 

Prediction:

 

The Hawks have played the Pacers tough and the Pacers are in the middle of a monumental slide. Nevertheless, the Pacers are the vastly superior team. While they will have a couple of poor offensive games when they will look like they will never win another game again, they will get past the Hawks.

 

Pacers in 6.

 

 

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) Charlotte Bobcats

 

Miami Heat (54-28)

 

Offense: 102.2 PPG, 36.9 RPG, 22.5 APG, 50.1%, 76 FT%, 36.4 3P%, 14.2 TOPG

Defense: 97.4 PPG, 45.7 FG%, 36.2 3P%, 15.6 TOPG

 

It is time for the Miami Heat to turn up their game. They cruised through the regular season. They could have pressed for the first seed but they do not need it. Resting their older players, especially Dwayne Wade, was more important. They did not necessarily need the first seed anyway but the Pacers’ struggles make it even less critical. Lebron James is still the best player on the planet. He had another ridiculous season averaging 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.6 steals shooting a ridiculous 56.7% from the field. Nevertheless, there are concerns. The first is age. Wade is older. They have rested him well down the stretch so it will be interesting to see if he can be a star in the playoffs. A lot of their supporting cast is older too. For example, Ray Allen has had his worst shooting season in years. Obviously, they would not have won last season without him providing one of the most clutch three pointers in NBA Finals history in Game 6 to tie the game at the end of regulation. They will need some big shots from him in the postseason again. Next, they have played lackadaisical throughout the season. While I think they can turn it up, it is not good to get into bad habits. Nevertheless, the quest of the threepeat begins for the Heat.

 

Charlotte Bobcats (43-39)

 

Offense: 96.9 PPG, 42.7 RPG, 21.7 APG, 44.2%, 73.7 FT%, 35.1 3P%, 14.5 TOPG

Defense: 97.1 PPG, 44.2FG%, 34.5 3P%, 13.2 TOPG

 

The Bobcats are not a good team. The addition of Al Jefferson turned them into a playoff team. He is a stud big man averaging 21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks. I also like Kemba Walker because of his toughness and grit but he only shoots 39.3% from the field.

 

Season Series:

 

The Heat won all 4 games and only one of the games was close.

 

Prediction:

 

Do not think too much about this one. Kemba Walker may have some big moments down the stretch of a close game but the Heat will dust the Bobcats off quickly.

 

Heat in 4.

 

 

(3) Toronto Raptors vs. (6) Brooklyn Nets

 

Toronto Raptors (48-34)

 

Offense: 101.3 PPG, 42.5 RPG, 21.2 APG, 44.5%, 78.2 FT%, 37.2 3P%, 13.4 TOPG

Defense: 98 PPG, 45 FG%, 36 3P%, 14.3TOPG

 

The Raptors are young and athletic. They play good team basketball. Their points per game have dropped a little from previous seasons but they compensated with better defense and is a better team for it. DeMar Derozan has turned into a star averaging 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.1 steals. While they tried to trade Kyle Lowry during the season, he played very well at point guard averaging 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals. Moreover, center Jonas Valanciunas is one of the better, young big men in the NBA.

 

Brooklyn Nets (44-38)

 

Offense: 98.5 PPG, 38.1 RPG, 20.9 APG, 45.9%, 75.3 FT%, 36.9 3P%, 14 TOPG

Defense: 99.5 PPG, 45.8 FG%, 36.7 3P%, 15TOPG

 

The Nets made some big name acquisitions by trading for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to provide veteran leadership and toughness. However, they started out the season horribly with rookie coach Jason Kidd. Moreover, they lost their All-Star center Brook Lopez. With that season ending injury, they lost any chance to progress into a championship contender. Nevertheless, they have too much veteran leadership and intelligent players to completely roll over and die. They will not win the championship but they have an opportunity to do some damage in the playoffs. While Deron Williams is paid like a superstar, he has not played like one. Their go to player down the stretch is Joe Johnson. I also expect Paul Pierce to still be a key option in close games. He is a future Hall of Famer and is clutch.

 

Season Series:

 

The teams split the series 2-2 with each team winning on the other team’s home court. Only one of the games was a blowout.

 

Prediction:

 

It will be a very competitive series. The Raptors have an advantage with youth and athleticism. The Nets have an advantage with experience. I like experience in these situations. I also like that the Nets have multiple options down the stretch of close games that can create their own shots: Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, and Deron Williams. I expect to see Pierce to have a good series.

 

Nets in 6.

 

 

(4) Chicago Bulls vs. (5) Washington Wizards

 

Chicago Bulls (48-34)

 

Offense: 93.7 PPG, 44.1 RPG, 22.7 APG, 43.2%, 77.9 FT%, 34.8 3P%, 14 TOPG

Defense: 91.8 PPG, 43 FG%, 35.1 3P%, 13.7TOPG

 

Tom Thibodeau is a brilliant coach. Despite his team constantly losing and missing their superstar Derrick Rose, he allows no excuses and still pushes his team to win. Joakim Noah will not win the MVP but he deserves some MVP consideration. I never thought he would be an impact player when the Bulls drafted him. I was wrong. He has been great averaging 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks this season. Beyond the stats, he is a great team player and leader. He makes his teammates better and plays with an unrelenting ferocity that inspires his team. They do not have Rose or the offense to win the title. However, they play great defense and are physical. They will be a tough out for anyone they face.

 

Washington Wizards (44-38)

 

Offense: 100.7 PPG, 42.2 RPG, 23.3 APG, 45.9%, 73.1 FT%, 38 3P%, 14.1 TOPG

Defense: 99.4 PPG, 45.8 FG%, 34.7 3P%, 15.4TOPG

 

The Wizards are a team on the rise. They have an emerging superstar in point guard John Wall. He averaged 19.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.8 steals this season. Bradley Beal has been an excellent backcourt compliment. Beal adds 17.1 points and shoots over 40% from three pointers. Besides Wall, Hilario is the most crucial player on the team. They are a completely different team when he is on the floor. He suffered a MCL sprain during the season and will not be 100% in the playoffs and will be limited in minutes. He will need to make a meaningful contribution.

 

Season Series:

The Wizards won the season series 2 to 1. The Wizards blew out the Bulls in the first game, the Bulls blew the Wizards out in the third game, and the middle game was a close win by the Wizards.

 

Prediction:

 

Wall is the most explosive player in this series. He could have a coming out party. However, the Bulls have the best player in the series in Joakim Noah. They also have the more experienced and physical team. They find ways to win and I expect them to prevail against a young Wizards team that will probably be just happy to be in the playoffs.

 

Bulls in 6.

Pat Wong

About Pat Wong

Patrick is a contributor for Rookerville. He is an avid sports fan. Before joining Rookerville, he was part of a defunct New York Yankees message board, NYYankeefans, where he was its top poster and was inducted in its Hall of Fame for his contributions. Patrick is also a passionate fan of movies. He has enjoyed reading movie reviews over the years and is excited about the opportunity to review movies.

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