Playoff Preview (part 2)

The East

The Favorite: Miami Heat

Hands down, Miami is the most talented team in the NBA. However, the Knicks moved up to the seven seed with their win today and a Knicks-Heat matchup (while it would be awesome to watch) could be a killer for the Heat. Carmelo and company match up well against the Big Three and could pull off the upset. If LeBron can show up in crunch time this year, I see the Heat running away with the title.

The Defense with the Question Marks: Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are likely locked into the top spot in the East, and will probably win their first round matchup. However, Derrick Rose's injury has slowed down the Chicago offense. Rip Hamilton has not had the offensive presence expected. Carlos Boozer cannot lead this team alone. All these things point to a difficult second round matchup against either Boston or Atlanta. I would not be surprised to see the Bulls slip up against an energized Celtics or Hawks team looking to prove themselves.

The Dark Horse: New York Knicks

The Knicks probably cannot jump Orlando to get the six seed (three games back with two games remaining), which means they will play Miami or Chicago in the first round. If the Knicks can get passed the two powerhouses, the Knicks could make a run to the Eastern Conference Finals. For that to happen, Carmelo, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler need to find their rhythm together. New York has the talent to win it all, but can they play cohesively?

The Invisible Horse: Indiana Pacers


The Pacers are the third seed in the East. Seriously. All the Heat-Bulls-Knicks hype has left Indiana to creep into the three seed with a first round matchup against the Dwight Howard-less Magic. Let's get imaginative for a second: Roy Hibbert dominates the not-so-Big Baby and pushes the Pacers past Orlando. Danny Granger and David West play their best against the Heat who just had a six or seven game battle with the Knicks. West muscles in and around Bosh, Granger shoots the lights out, Darren Collison and George Hill dominate Mario Chalmers, Tyler Hansbrough goes Psycho T... I'm feeling it! Sign me up for the Pacers bandwagon.

The Unstoppable Juggernaut: Boston Celtics

Boston is back! After a slow start, Coach Doc Rivers has the pieces in place to make another playoff run. Paul Pierce is playing like a young Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett has found his place at the five spot, and Ray Allen is playing well off the bench. The emergence of Avery Bradley and Greg Stiemsma have given energy to this "old" team. The bad news: Boston has lost three of four to Chicago in the regular season. The good news: Boston has won two of three against Miami. Boston needs to pray for Miami to steal the one seed from Chicago to get the better matchup. Either way, the Celtics are a team on a run right now, and could beat anyone four times.

The Other Guys: Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers


Let me start out by saying: the Hawks have a chance. Unfortunately, they draw Boston in the first round and I cannot see this unproven gang going into Boston Garden to take down the vets. Sorry, Atlanta, maybe another year.

Orlando is all kind of screwed. Without Dwight Howard, Glen Davis starts at center. Most high school centers are bigger than Davis. Anyway, unless Jameer Nelson, J.J. Reddick and Ryan Andersen knock down a flurry of threes every game, Orlando will get dominated in the first round by Indiana.

Philadelphia started strong (once the projected five seed), but a late season collapse has them clinging to the eight seed in the East. They will play Chicago, and do not have the offense to keep up with the Bulls. It should be a short post season for Philly and they need to build their frontcourt in the offseason.