Blog entryEastern Conference Playoff Predictions

Alright, Lemmo's breaking down the Western Conference, so I've got the Eastern Conference. We want to know what your picks are. Leave them in the comments section, and we'll talk about them on tomorrow's Blue Chip Talk!

Eastern Conference First Round

1) Chicago Bulls vs 8) Philadelphia 76ers: The 6ers started off the season hot, but have evened out since.  Meanwhile the Bulls have been consistently tough throughout the regular season, despite the inconsistent health of Derrick Rose.  I'd say keep Rose rested, because Chicago's defense will be enough to beat Philadelphia.  Bulls in 5

2) Miami Heat vs 7) New York Knicks: This is the most intriguing matchup of the first round.  As much as I would love to see the Knicks pull off the upset here, Miami is just too much.  The Big three (James, Bosh, Wade)  have a great cast of role players, led by Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers.  Sorry Spike Lee, maybe next year.   Heat in 6

3) Indiana Pacers vs 6) Orlando Magic: The Magic locker room might be the last place I would want to be right now, maybe next to  No Dwight Howard means no series win for Orlando.  Pacers in 4

4) Boston Celtics vs 5) Atlanta Hawks: Call it an upset, but not much of a gamble here for me.  Boston's age combined with a slew of injuries throughout the season, makes Atlanta the favorite in this series.  T-Mac gets his first playoff series win.  Hawks in 6. 

Conference Semi-Finals

1) Chicago Bulls vs 5) Atlanta Hawks: Great second round matchup, but one thing is missing here for the Hawks. Al Horford.  While it is rumored Horford may be able to return this round with limited action, I don't see him being effective only 4 months removed from a torn pectoral muscle.  The Bulls bigs led by Noah and Boozer, will be too much for Zaza Pachulia.  Bulls in 5

2) Miami Heat vs 3) Indiana Pacers: The Pacers match up well with Miami's athleticism, and I will predict Indiana steals one of the first two games in Miami.  But in the end, no one on this Pacers squad has an answer for Dwayne Wade or Lebron James.  Heat in 6

Conference Finals

 1) Chicago Bulls vs 2) Miami Heat: The matchup we have all been waiting for. If there is one team built defensively that has any chance to stop the Heat, it's the Bulls.  But as long as Miami stays healthy, something that Derrick Rose has not been, no one will beat the Heat.  The series goes 7.  Heat in 7. 

NBA Finals 

Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder: This may go down as the most watched NBA Finals….ever.  Tons of star power, led by the three time scoring champ, Kevin Durant.  This series comes down to who can close out the 4th quarter.  I know Durant can do it, and I haven't seen Lebron do it in a meaningful game.  Thunder in 7!