Bulls/Pacers - Probably the only series I'd be willing to bet my life's savings (meager as it is) on. Frank Vogel gets a lot of credit for sparking this team mid-season, and with Collison and Hibbert having big up sides and Tyler Hansbrough getting some burn during this youth movement in Indiana, the Pacers are a little bit more than Danny Granger and four jerseys. But not much more. The Bulls are just too talented at both ends of the floor; my expounding on the greatness of D. Rose and importance of Boozer and Noah would waste both my time and yours. Bulls in 4.
Heat/Sixers - One thing we've learned about the Sixers this year is that you can turn garbage into gold. The Sixers can compete on any given night with any team in the league. Given my fandom, I might even be inclined to pick them as an upset possibility...if they were playing anyone but the Miami Heat. The Heat simply present too many mismatches, and even i have to admit they've looked pretty primed of late. they haven't worked everything out, but I hate to say that a lot of their demons may be behind them. What's a shame is that this series will totally misrepresent just how wonderful a job Doug Collins did turning this team around. The Sixers do have an advantage at the point which can be an Achilles heel to the Heat. Also, the Sixers have the element of surprise in that the Heat will not be able to plan ahead for who will step up for the Sixers in a given game. The Sixers are a bit more balanced, but it won't be enough to shake a focused Heat team. Heat in 5.
Celtics/Knicks - Boy, did it feel strange typing K-N-I-C-K-S in a playoff article. This is a very compelling series. Boston is clearly not the same team they were prior to the Perkins deal. The Knicks have kind of found a groove, but still give up way too many points to mediocre teams. Allen's slump is reminiscent of last year, and Rondo's been in a heck of a funk while the defensive five spot might as well not exist. However, a lot of the Celtic woes come from not being able to rebound. The Knicks are just as, shall we say, vertically challenged as the C's. To score the ball, you need to have the ball. A change in tempo to get Rondo in the open floor may be just what the Celtics need to jumpstart this team. Also, given the build of the Knicks roster, maybe having Shaq at game speed isn't as important in the first round as it will be later in the playoffs. The Celtics dodged a bullet there. With that said, the Knicks can score, and 'Melo looks great. How Billups is, and whether Toney Douglas will play Rondo, are compelling questions. The Knicks can afford to put Jefferies on KG and rest Amare on Kristic. Pierce vs. 'Melo at the elbow alone will be worth the price of admission. This series has the potential to be a real chess match, but I fear Mike D'Antoni only plays checkers. Celtics in 6.
Magic/Hawks - Puzzlingly, the Hawks won this season series pretty decisively. Al Horford's a monster and Jason Collins plays really well against Dwight Howard, but I don't have high hopes for the one-trick Hawks. they lack a point guard and consequent roundball IQ. The Magic have plenty of issues, but i think they're heading into the post season about as balanced as I've seen them all year. Nelson is active and involved, and Hedo is no longer trying to do too much. As long as the Magic can keep from becoming a one-man show on both sides of the floor eating popcorn while Dwight does work, they should be able to handle whatever the Hawks throw at them. Look for Q. Richard and Chris Duhon to become more important components of what the Magic do on defense going forward. If the dormant and gimpy Gilbert Arenas can shake some cobwebs off his game, the whole conference is in trouble. Magic in 5.
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