Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Eastern Conference Playoff Predictions

     The seeding predictions for the Eastern Conference came out a few days ago, so now it’s time to predict how the Eastern Conference Playoffs will unfold.
    The Heat, Pacers, and Celtics will probably advance to round two and that does not really require an in depth explanation. The only possible way that would not happen is that one of those teams suffers a major injure or the Bulls get a miraculously fully recovered Derrick Rose back, who gallops in on a white horse and obliterates all who cross his path. The interesting battle could be the potential 4-5 battle between the Nets and 76ers- even if it is not these two teams it will be one of the top 5 Eastern Conference teams not names the Heat and will still be a fun watch. But the winner is pointless to pick, they will lose in the 2nd round to the Heat.
     Which brings us to the second round, which is shaping up to be the Heat v Someone and the Pacers v the Celtics. The Heat win the first matchup. The intriguing matchup is the Pacers-Celtics matchup. Both are feisty, well rounded teams that play good (in the Celtics case great) defense. The Celtics though have a few key advantages; stars, veteran savvy, and elite coaching. It should be a hotly contested series of 6-7 games which ultimate goes the Celtics way, because they have well coached guys with names like Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and the Pacers do not.
     The Celtics and Heat will meet once again in the Eastern Conference Finals. The results should be the same. The Heat have the better team, but the Celtics are old crafty and have too much pride to not make a series of it. The Celtics almost pulled it off last year, and while Christ Bosh may not be injured again, they did pick up some talent in the offseason in Jason Terry, Jared Sullinger, and Fab Melo. Additionally the Celtics will have Jeff Green back from his heart issues to which he lost all of last season. While ultimately this probably will not be enough, it should be a fun grudge match to watch. Also let us not forget the intrigue added now that Ray Allen is with the Heat, he will be a player to keep an eye on if this series comes to be.

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