2010 Eastern Conference NBA Playoff Preview

Cavaliers vs. Bulls

The Cavaliers loss to Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals last year, this year they have added Shaquille O'Neal and Antawn Jamison to fill what should d be James best shot at winning a title for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs draw the Chicago Bulls who made great 7 – 3 run to gain the 8th spot in the playoffs, Unfortunately for the Bulls that run pits them against a team they cannot match up with. The Bulls will play hard and have their moments but in the end the Cavaliers and LeBron James bring too much speed, size, athleticism and depth for the Chicago Bulls to hang with them. Chicago doesn’t have a “true” defender that will keep James honest. The Bulls’ inconsistency shooting from the outside will hurt them the most and be just one factor in Cleveland winning this series with ease.

Prediction: Cleveland in 5

TEAMS SPLIT SERIES 2-2

104.5 Off. Eff. 96.7

93.6 Pace 93.6

96.5 PPG 96.5

45.5 RPG 42.5

21.8 APG 22.0

.453 FG% .436

.350 3PT% .327

.680 FT% .716

Game Schedule

Game 1 3:00 PM - Saturday, April 17 (Cleveland)

Game 2 8:00 PM - Monday, April 19 (Cleveland)

Game 3 7:00 PM - Thursday, April 22 (Chicago)

Game 4 3:30 PM - Sunday, April 25 (Chicago)

*Game 5 TBD - Tuesday, April 27 (Cleveland)

*Game 6 TBD - Thursday, April 29 (Chicago)

*Game 7 TBD - Saturday, May 1 (Cleveland)

 

Magic vs. Bobcats

One has to like the job Brown is doing with the Bobcats but they could not have drawn a worse opponent. Orlando’s matches up better against the Bobcats than any other Eastern conference team. Their inside-outside games will control the pace and is too much for Charlotte to endure. Maybe not known for the 3 pointer, keep in mind only 3 teams were better and they ranked 4th in the 3-point shot. The problem here is Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace just don’t bring enough to handle Orlando’s Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, Mickael Pietrus and of course Howard.

Prediction: Orlando in 5

MAGIC WON, 3-1

103.9 Off. Eff. 96.9

90.8 Pace 90.8

96.3 PPG 90.8

40.3 RPG 41.3

19.5 APG 18.0

.448 FG% .450

.352 3PT% .294

.636 FT% .716

Game Schedule

Game 1 5:30 PM - Sunday, April 18 (Orlando)

Game 2 7:00 PM - Wednesday, April 21 (Orlando)

Game 3 2:00 PM - Saturday, April 24 (Charlotte)

Game 4 TBD - Monday, April 26 (Charlotte)

*Game 5 TBD - Wednesday, April 28 (Orlando)

*Game 6 TBD - Friday, April 30 (Charlotte)

*Game 7 TBD - Sunday, May 2 (Orlando)

 

Hawks vs. Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have been a great team to watch and bet on down the stretch, however, the injury to Andrew Bogut will make this series a difficult one for the Bucks to win. Expect Milwaukee to put in a supreme effort regardless. The Atlanta Hawks are one of the not the most athletic teams playing in the NBA toady. Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Marvin Williams, and Josh Smith all play with chemistry. We have not even mentioned Mike Bibby at the point or Jamal Crawford who comes off the bench and will take the 6th Man of the Year award. Too much Atlanta size and athleticism for Milwaukee’s guts and determination.

HAWKS WON, 2-1

111.8 Off. Eff. 105.7

89.0 Pace 89.0

101.7 PPG 98.7

43.7 RPG 40.0

17.7 APG 20.7

.492 FG% .428

.370 3PT% .351

.714 FT% .847

Prediction: Atlanta in 6

Game Schedule/Result

Game 1 5:30 - Saturday, April 17 (Atlanta)

Game 2 7:00 - Tuesday, April 20 (Atlanta)

Game 3 7:00 PM - Saturday, April 24 (Milwaukee)

Game 4 TBD - Monday, April 26 (Milwaukee)

*Game 5 TBD - Wednesday, April 28 (Atlanta)

*Game 6 TBD - Friday, April 30 (Milwaukee)

*Game 7 TBD - Sunday, May 2 (Atlanta)

 

Celtics vs. Heat

This will not be as simple as it appears to be for the Boston Celtics. They limped down the stretch going 3 – 7 in the regular season. The aging Celtics is just that, aging; Injuries have hit key players Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Just like everything else that slows down by aging, players slow down especially while running up and down the 94 foot floor for approximately two and a half hours. Expect Miami to turn up the “heat” by playing up tempo. However, like a solid team that Boston is, expect them to counter with their fourth best defense in the league.

Prediction: Boston in 7

Game Schedule/Result

Game 1 8:00 PM - Saturday, April 17 (Boston)

Game 2 8:00 PM - Tuesday, April 20 (Boston)

Game 3 7:00 PM - Friday, April 23 (Miami)

Game 4 1:00 PM - Sunday, April 25 (Miami)

*Game 5 TBD - Tuesday, April 27 (Boston)

*Game 6 TBD - Thursday, April 29 (Miami)

*Game 7 TBD - Saturday, May 1 (Boston)

*If necessary. All times ET.