The Sports Brewery

Eastern Conference Playoff Preview and Predictions – Round 1

Posted on 16. Apr, 2010 at 8:32 pm by bbryan in NBA Basketball, NBA Playoffs

Finally the NBA playoffs.  Nothing better in sports than watching the worlds greatest collection of athletes playing with a sense of urgency.  Let’s take a look at round 1. We’ll start in the Leastern Conference.

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Chicago Bulls:

Why the Cavs will win – There are a lot of reason why the Cavs will win this series.  First and foremost they have the best player in the league, that always helps.  LeBron can dominate on both ends of the floor and the Bulls have no one who can even attempt to slow him down on offense.  Also the Cavs have some serious length and beef and will dominate the paint in this series.  Something that is required to do well in these playoffs.

Why the Bulls will win - They have the best player at the most important position. /brewSKI’d.  Derrik Rose is nice, and if he can continuously get to the rack like he did last year against the Celtics some of these games could be interesting.  Other than that there are no legitimate reasons to like the Bulls in this series.

What will happen - Cavs in 4.  The Cavs should roll without any resistance.

#2 Orland Magic vs. #7 Charlotte Bobcats:

Why the Magic will win - Dwight Howard is by far the most dominant player in this series and should lead the Magic to an easy series win.  Add in Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter and the Magic easily have the most talent.  Although I’m skeptical on the Magic’s potential for these playoffs, they match up very well against the Bobcats.

Why the Bobcats will win - Stephen Jackson is a very good players, and Gerald Wallace is solid.  If the Bobcats can control the tempo and get hot (like the Magic of last year) they have a chance to make this series interesting.

What will happen - Magic in 5. Diaw and Ratliff will not be able to match up with Howard.

#3 Atlanta Hawks vs. #6 Milwaukee Bucks:

Why the Hawks will win - I really like the Hawks.  I think they will take out the Magic in Round 2.  But lets not get to far ahead of ourselves.  The Hawks have talent at every position and they also have considerable length and athleticism on their front line.  Williams, Smith and Hortford will kill the Bogusless Bucks in the paint.  Bibby is a solid steady hand at the point, all you need to have success in the NBA playoffs.

Why the Bucks will win – Brandon Jennings goes completely nuts.  Slim chance.  It’s too bad that Bogut went down the same night PeeWee posted his ridiculous Wisconsin post. Nice work PeeWee.  Had Bogut not gone down we’d be talking about why the Bucks would win round 1 against Boston.

What will happen - Hawks in 5.  They’ll get sloppy in one game and it will cost them.  But the Bucks will never have control of this series.

#4 Boston Celtics vs. #5 Miami Heat:

Why the Celtics will win - They have experience and balance.  All 5 starters average double digits and where there for the championship run two years ago.  Ray Allen has been streaking lately, which is something the Celtics missed in last years playoffs.

Why the Heat will win - Dwayne Wade is the best player in the series and it always helps to have the best player in the series.  And if ultimate D-bag Kevin Garnett is worried about the calls Durant was getting, just wait until he gets a taste of what D-Wade gets in the playoffs. The Heat don’t have a legit #2 man, but do have two legit #3 guys in Richardson and Beasley.  But this team is all about Wade.

What will happen - Heat in 6.  Celtics will be spending more time crying about Wade than actually playing basketball.

Bestern conference up next…

Tags: Eastern Conference, NBA Playoffs