Eastern Conference Playoff Preview: Round 1

[Ebener 12]

#1 Miami Heat vs. #8 Orlando Magic

Season Series: 2-2 (No games after Day 60)

Preview: The Heat were in the driver seat in the East for virtually the whole season, and improved their roster signficantly towards the end of the season by adding Mutumbo, Allen, and Mike Miller. Unfortunately for them, they go into the playoffs with starting PF Raef LaFrentz for 1-2 games, and C Dikembe Mutumbo out until around Game 7 of the 2nd Round if the Heat advance that far. The Magic snuck into the playoffs in the last few days as the #8 seed, led their efficient PG Earl Boykins, and young stud, former Heat, Michael Redd. If the Magic want to compete in this series, they must attack the Heat's absense of Mutumbo by pounding it into Mihm and Jackson, setting up shots for Redd. Forunately for the Heat, they have a stud 3rd big man in Primoz Brezec. The Heat intend to abuse Orlando's starting SF, Marcus Fizer. Allen should have a huge round 1 against him. Battling through the injuries, the Heat have too much talent and are too good to go down in round 1, it's all about dealing with adversity for them.

Prediction: Heat in 6

#2 Milwaukee Bucks vs. #7 Detroit Pistons

Season Series: 2-2

Preview: The Bucks and Pistons are playing completely different basketball right now. The Bucks are playing very well while the Pistons ended the season struggling to get victories in the last week or two. The Pistons do have one clear advantage, they have vets who are in their last run trying to get a championship and they bring experience to the table. Their team hasn’t lived up to their GM’s expectations, but now is their chance to do it by upsetting the Bucks. If the Bucks can get their usual production from Francis and Pierce, they will be very tough to beat. The Bucks will need to work together to limit Wallace and Stackhouse, who combine for almost 40 of their points a game. I think there’s potential for upset here, but I’ll take the Bucks in a close, 7 game series, winning Game 7 on their court.
Prediction: Bucks in 7

#3 Washington Wizards vs. #6 Toronto Raptors

Season Series: 2-2

Preview: The Raptors ride into the playoffs crippled, without one of their two franchise stars, Tony Parker, who is out for most of the playoffs with a broken skull. However, the Raptors have been on FIRE winning 11 of their last 13 games. It’s shocking that they’ve played better without him. Other than McGrady they aren’t really loaded with talent. Their GM has done a great job with the team this year and they are really overachieving right now. The Wizards are a veteran team who has struggled a tad coming into the playoffs. The Wizards have one thing that no one else in the league has to their advantage, and that is Kevin Garnett. He had an astounding year and was robbed of the MVP award. Garnett is going to completely go off in round 1, having Radmanovic guarding him. I pick the Wiz advancing in 6 led by their megastar. I just don’t think the Raptors can keep overachieving throughout the playoffs.

Prediction: Wizards in 6

#4 New York Nets vs. #5 Boston Celtics

Season Series: 2-2

Preview: The Nets are the most dangerous #4 seed that BBS will see in a long time, and maybe ever. They are led by a sick trio in Davis, Ginobli. And Walker. They are very good team and are above average on both ends of the floor, and they don’t have many holes or areas where they are vulnerable. The Celtics are a very good team but they had a horrid ending to the season going 3-7. They have a great scoring duo in Bryant and Peja, but they need their bigs (Howard and Davis) to have a big series, as the Nets don’t have great depth with their bigs. If the Celtics can get Dalembert in foul trouble, they need to take advantage of that and pound it inside, while opening up their outside game to Peja and Bryant. That is what I think Boston’s best shot to win is, but the Nets have too much talent, home court advantage, and the ability to go far. I’ll take the Nets in 6

Prediction: Nets in 6

[Funky George!]

Definitely taking a risk with Fizer on Allen, but I decided to go with him because his presence really legitimizes my inside focus. Without him, we've got two solid inside options, but he can really score, and the only way we win is in shootouts anyway. Our defense improved with him at SF, and Miles is a great 2/3/4 bench contributor. If Allen abuses us, so be it; we need the offensive answer, and we'll look to exploit Miami inside with Dik out.

[DB]

Good read. I could see a couple upsets here namely the pistons/bucks series. Pistons might be able to hand the bucks a first round exit, i think this series is the best possible upset in the first round for the east. All the first round series have 2-2 regular season games vs each other.

[Ebener 12]

I wanted to pick the Raptors in an upset, but I looked for a long time and can't figure out how the fuck they've won 11 of the last 13 without Parker. It's unreal and unexplainable.

[KJKeelty]

Good work, Ebener.

I think my series with the Nets will be pretty competitive, but like you, I'm not sure we'll pull it out. I think it's pretty even, though. Neither outcome would shock me.

[Ebener 12]

The SG/SF matchup in your series is second to none, just 4 incredible guys.

[KJKeelty]

Yeah, very true. I think my guys will be good for 45ppg or so, but it's the depth that'll matter. Need Taylor, Davis, Howard to be at or near double digits in each game.

[Ebener 12]

Yeah, I think the Nets biggest weakness is their big depth, talent-wise. If Dalembert gets in foul trouble they don't really have anyone too good to step in, making them very vulnerable there. That's why I wanted to potentially match up with them in the ECF so I would have Deke back, but if I advance LaFrentz/Brezec is still pretty solid against most teams.

[duceisinmyheart]

agreed

[Rocky]

+50