It’s NBA playoffs time! So many story lines for this year’s playoffs:

• The two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers look to send Phil Jackson off to retirement with his fourth threepeat.
• The Chicago Bulls head into the playoffs with homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs, possibly setting up another dynasty thanks to Derrick Rose.
• The San Antonio Spurs, old as ever, are the number 1 seed in the West. They have been arguably the most consistent team this year, yet they still fly under the radar.
• The Boston Celtics look to win probably their last championship in this window with their current roster.
• The Miami Heat look to win the first of their eight guaranteed championships.

East

1. Chicago vs. 8. Indiana

Derrick Rose and the Bulls win in 4

Bulls in 4. Chicago beat the Pacers three of four times this year by an average of 17.6 points. Indiana is one of two teams in the playoffs to have a negative point differential (-1.1). With probable MVP Derrick Rose running the show, look for the Bulls to cruise through the first round.

2. Miami vs. 7. Philadelphia

These three will be enough to pass the 76ers

Heat in 4. The 76ers are much improved from last year with Doug Collins at the helm, especially considering the poor early-season start (3-13). But drawing the Heat does no favors for Philadelphia. Miami swept the season series 3-0 and quite frankly, the 76ers have nowhere near enough talent to compete with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

3. Boston vs. 6. New York

The Celtics' playoff experience is too much for Amar'e and Melo

Celtics in 6. New York made the trade for Carmelo Anthony and struggled until recently. Now, the Knicks have won seven of their last nine, albeit against paltry competition except for Orlando. The Celtics have struggled since trading away Kendrick Perkins and trying to incorporate their new players. But Boston has too much playoff experience for New York to legitimately threaten them. The Knicks will provide a scare in a couple games, but Boston’s D will be too much.

4. Orlando vs. 5. Atlanta

Dwight Howard will prove too much for the struggling Hawks

Magic in 5. Atlanta may have won three of the four regular season matchups, but the Magic have better talent and their coach, Stan Van Gundy, has playoff experience. Atlanta coach Larry Drew has none, and this was his first season as an NBA head coach. Atlanta made a mistake in trading away Jordan Crawford and a first rounder for Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong. Crawford provides ball handling and a scoring punch off the bench, something the Hawks desperately need. And the icing on the cake for this matchup? Atlanta’s point differential this season was -0.8 ppg; Orlando’s point differential: +5.5. And Atlanta limps into the playoffs on a six-game losing streak.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 14th, 2011 at 7:52 pm and is filed under NBA.  Tagged Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Indiana Pacers, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, NBA, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Stan Van Gundy You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.