That right there is why they do it, so lets get to it.
Eastern Conference
Cavs vs Bulls
(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
I'll be doing this but don't expect too much in the way of numbers. I kinda feel like I don't need them. I've watched each of these teams many times and I think I have some feel for what they are capable of. I'm no fan of either, but I can't think of a reason why Chicago will get one game here. This is probably the only sweep in the first round. LeBron will do his best LeBron impersonation, Rose will punish the Cavs backcourt, and the Cavs will be able to get stops where the Bulls won't.
Cleveland will blow these kids out one game, another will be close but the Cavs will prevail (game 3 I think), and the other two will beat ho-hum Cavs win by 9 or so. In order for the Cavs to win this series they just need to show up and care.
Chicago will need to do more than show up to win, Noah must own the offensive and defensive glass (20+ boards a game type stuff). Luol Deng has to limit LeBron as much as possible, and Rose needs to channel some 2006 Finals D-Wade. Plus, the team D has to lock up the other Cavs. Yeah right.
Cavs in 4.
Celtics vs Heat
Honestly I dislike both teams. That won't cloud my analysis though because this is too close in my opinion. On second thought, no. The Celtics should win. Why? Because they are a better team. Wade is the best player by far of the two teams, but Boston know what needs to be done. What exactly is that you ask? Limit turnovers is one. The Celtics like to give up the rock, the Heat will gladly score in transition since they aren't the most explosive offense (25th in scoring, 17th in FG%). Boston needs to win at home, because the road may be unkind again this year just like the previous two playoffs. Lastly, make D-Wade do it alone. That shouldn't be too hard, right?
The Heat getting to the next round is simple, Wade dominates on offense, the Heat lock up Boston on defense. Boston is a jump shooting team (not Rondo) so I say keep it that way. Dare Rasheed Wallace to shoot that broken three of his, keep Pierce off the line by playing off him. You'll have to live with that three because I don't see anyone on Miami (outside of Wade) that can defend Pierce. Maybe Dorrell Wright has some actual talent I can't see and he can do it (doubtful).
Anyway... this series may not be pretty to watch.
Celtics in 6.
Hawks vs Bucks
I can barely contain my excitement. The Hawks play some ugly ball (isolation tag: each guy except Mike Bibby takes a turn iso'ing on offense). The Bucks just shoot a lot of jumpers. Watching this is like watch a pick up game in the gym except everybody sucks at the gym, and I don't care about these teams on the screen. This has no chance of being entertaining, the Hawks in the playoffs haven't been watchable since that 7 game series against Boston all those years ago.
How can the Hawks win? Just keep doing whatever it is they do. Force turnovers, run the break, iso each player and hit contested shots, get dunks at the buzzer, whatever. They have the athleticism to lock the Bucks down for long stretches, as long as they sometimes score during that time they should cruise.
The Bucks need to hit those threes they love in order to win. Ridnour(38%), Salmons(38%), Jennings(37%), Stackhouse(35%), Illyasova(34%), Bell(37%), Delfino(37%), Redd (not Redd, bet you forgot he was on this team) these guys love to jack shots from deep, and they hit them. Wow, watching them play I noticed they could shoot well, but that's crazy. Without Bogut I notice they like to run 4 shooters and a big to really space things out (a lineup of Jennings, Salmons, Stack, Delfino, and Kurt Thomas should see some action). Writing about this one actually makes me want to watch it, nice.
Hawks in 5
Magic vs Bobcats
(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
I live pretty close to Orlando and I would love to go to a playoff game, just not any of these. Why you ask. Well, the Cats will do their best to make this ugly as hell. They want a low score and a slow grind to the finish, because they struggle to score themselves (28th in scoring at 95.3 ppg). That's atrocious and I wish I could say they were by far the lowest scoring team in the playoffs but there are 4 other playoff teams in the bottom 20.
The Magic win by doing what got them here. Play some defense, hit plenty of threes, keep Dwight out of foul trouble so he can roam the paint. Simple really, you win by outscoring your opponent and Orlando will do that here. Their bench may be the deepest in the league (Brandon Bass would probably start in Indiana but here, no time). Solid offense, good team defense, hello second round.
How can the Cats compete? That was rhetorical, they can't. That's why the slow it down Mike Fratello style (not that bad though). The fewer possessions the Magic have the fewer chances to score. They play like a soccer team with a two goal lead and 15+ minutes left in the game. Watching them often I'm still confused about how it is they score, I guess it works. Stephen Jackson is gonna have to be unconscious and hit everything, Gerald Wallace is my second favorite SF in the league. He needs to not let Matt Barnes get to him (he will though). Maybe they can bore the Magic to death. Maybe fory one game.
Magic in 5
The Western conference is coming later, I'm tired.
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