Everyone finally has a reason to watch the NBA. That’s right, it’s playoff time. For those of you that did not watch a lot of the regular season, I can’t say I blame you.
I also won’t judge anyone for not watching the first round of the playoffs considering upsets never happen (calm down, Golden State fans). But just for s**ts and giggles, here is a breakdown of the first round match-ups along with some of our writers’ picks.
Eastern Conference
1) Cleveland Cavaliers (61-21) vs. 8) Chicago Bulls (41-41)
2010 Season Stats
Cavs || Bulls
PPG: 102.1 || 97.5
RPG: 42.5 || 44.5
APG: 22.4 || 20.8
FG%: .485 || .451
Leading Scorer: Lebron James (29.7 ppg) || Derrick Rose (20.8 ppg)
Unless Lebron gets injured in the next couple days, or just wants to show how bad ass he is and sit out the first couple games, the Bulls might as well wave the white flag.
The Cavs are fully healthy and ready to go with the return of Shaq at the center position. Cleveland finished with the best record in the NBA this season and are on a mission to win the franchise’s first title.
They are not going to let a team that finished the regular season with a .500 record get in their way. In fact I see this series being an embarrassment for the Bulls, which will leave them wondering if they should have just let the Raptors have the final playoff spot.
My Prediction: Cavs sweep the series 4-0
JP14 Prediction: Cavs
atom Prediction: Cavs
2) Orlando Magic (59-23) vs. 7) Charlotte Bobcats (44-38)
Magic || Bobcats
PPG: 102.8 || 95.3
RPG: 43.2 || 40.8
APG: 19.7 || 20.2
FG%: .470 || .453
Leading Scorer: Dwight Howard (18.3 ppg) || Stephen Jackson (21.1 ppg)
Orlando will look to repeat their run from last year and get back to the finals, only this time not completely s**t the bed once they get to the finals.
They bring back the same team from last year, only swap Hedo Terkuglu for Vince Carter. The Magic may have won the season series 3-1 but I see Charlotte putting up a pretty good fight in their first playoff appearance as the Bobcats.
Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace will have to lead the way if they are going to have any chance of slowing the Magic down. Tyson Chandler, if healthy enough, will give Howard some trouble down low.
Luckily for the Magic they have two other All-Stars in Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis who will be able to carry the load.
My Prediction: Magic win the series 4-2
JP14 Prediction: Magic
atom Prediction: Magic
3) Atlanta Hawks (53-29) vs. 6) Milwaukee Bucks (46-36)
2010 Season Stats
Hawks || Bucks
PPG: 101.7 || 97.7
RPG: 41.7 || 43.0
APG: 21.8 || 21.2
FG%: .468 || .436
Leading Scorer: Joe Johnson (21.3 ppg) || John Salmons (19.9 ppg)
Two of the more surprising teams in the East will face off in this first round battle. At the beginning of the season I don’t think anyone would have predicted the Hawks finishing ahead of the Celtics or the Bucks even making the playoffs.
The Bucks took a big hit when Andrew Bogut went down last week, which means John Salmons will have to continue his stellar play and Brandon Jennings will have to put up some more 50-point games if they want to upset the young, athletic Hawks.
The three headed monster of Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Jamal Crawford will be way too much for the Bucks.
My Prediction: Hawks win series 4-2
JP14 Prediction: Hawks
atom Prediction: Hawks
4) Boston Celtics (50-32) vs. 5) Miami Heat (47-32)
2010 Season Stats
Celtics || Heat
PPG: 99.2 || 96.5
RPG: 38.6 || 41.8
APG: 23.5 || 18.9
FG%: .483 || .458
Leading Scorer: Paul Pierce (18.3 ppg) Dwyane Wade (26.6 ppg)
The Heat come in as one of the hottest teams in the East winning 9 of their last 10 games, while the Celtics are on the verge of a melt-down winning only three of their last 10 games.
I blame Boston’s crappy play on bringing a bum like Rasheed Wallace in to a team that had pretty good team chemistry, but I’m sure there are other reasons.
The Celtics age is beginning to show and I think it will show against a young Miami team led by D Wade. Look for Wade and company to keep this series very interesting. Don’t forget the Celtics as a one seed went down to the seventh game against the eight seed Hawks just two seasons ago, barely winning.
My Prediction: Celtics win series 4-3
JP14 Prediction: Celtics
atom Prediction: Miami
I’m feeling the Heat on this one. Boston is too old and D-Wade is going to play better than he has in years.
YOUR PREDICTION DID NOT MAKE ANY SENSE — YOU ARE NOT USING YOUR MIND– HAHAHA!! POOR EVALUATION, NOTHING SPECIAL.. YOU DON’T KNOW HOW PLAY BASKETBALL I ASSUME. SUCKSTER