NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Preview: Round 1

Eastern Conference
-By The Gelf

#1 Chicago Bulls vs. #8 Philadelphia 76ers 

 Sources say while Derrick Rose was rehabbing his injury he actually took the SAT himself and passed. Just kidding.
 But seriously, Im expecting Drose to come back from injury with full force.  A healthy, dominant Rose will lead the bulls past a weak Sixers team.  Kyle Korver will be draining threes from Skokie, Illinois as the Bulls win easily.

Prediction: Bulls in 5

#2 Miami Heat vs. #7 New York Knicks

By far the most interesting, hyped up, talked about, and analyzed first round match up.  The infamous Miami Heat will be welcoming Carmelo Anthony and Company to south beach.  There are simply too many good story lines going with this series...  

1) How will Lebron perform under playoff pressure?  

    -Sure we were all "witnesses" to one of the greatest statistical seasons ever seen.  Lebron dominated his competition this year as he looked like a man among boys.  Yet, my two favorite Brians (Scalabrine and Cardinal) have more rings than him.  Can Lebron bring his talents to the playoffs this year?  Can he bring his talents to the 4th quarter? Can he make a dent on those 8 championships?  This is the time to prove himself 

2) Are the knicks better or worse with Amare in the line up?

   -Everyone from Manhattan to Westchester to Buffalo got sooooo excited when the Knicks brought in Stat and Melo.  Two of the better players in the league.  Unfortunately bringing all this talent to the big apple has not created a championship team.  We definitely saw the knicks go through some ups and downs this year (#JLIN).  When JLin and Amare were running the show they were unstoppable, but when Carmelo came back the chemistry was ruined.  More recently, with Amare sidelined and Carmelo running the show, the Knicks were winning and looking good.  The combination of Carmelo's scoring and Novak hitting threes from Rye Brook was deadly.  But when Amare and Melo are both playing, the knicks have issues.  Now, with Stat and Melo on the floor together again, can Mike Woodson create a winning formula that will bring down the favored Heat.

Prediction: Heat in 6

#3 Indiana Pacers vs. #6 Orlando Magic

I think its funny that the biggest story going into this series isn't actually about the series itself.  Its about Dwight "Superman" Howard packing up shop and leaving Orlando.  Dwight is out.  Both figuratively and literally.  He is out of this series due to a season ending back injury and he is also out of Orlando.  With Superman out, the magic have about...carry the 2, subtract the 4.....0 playmakers.  With that being said, I see the pacers pulling off the win here.  Even though I like Stan Van (he got a bum deal in Miami), the Granger/Hibbert duo will prevail.

Prediction: Pacers in 5

#4 Boston Celtics vs. # 5 Atlanta Hawks

The Boston Celtics are the enigma of this years playoffs.  Are they too old? Do they have enough in the tank to make a championship run? Can KG still dunk?  I think the answers to these questions are no, yes, no.  The Celtics will either make a serious run at the title (which includes taking down the heat) or crumble in the first round.  I envision the former.  Rondo and Pierce have the ability to take this team places for the three amigos last time (potentially) together.  Maybe Ray Allen will bring his best Jesus Shuttlesworth impression to the playoffs.  Plus, Atlanta is where one LBS writer calls home, so naturally Im going with Boston.

Prediction: Boston in 6