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They May Not Be the “Bad Boys” but These Boys are Bad: Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview
Can the Pistons continue to avoid injury? Has Shaq just been pacing himself for the playoffs? Can the Nets advance with little-to-no inside presence? Can King James carry his team to into the second round of the playoffs in his first trip to the postseason? While we await the answers to these and other questions, here’s my quick take on how the playoffs will shake out.
First Round Matchups
(1) Pistons vs. (8) Bucks
With five all-stars, led by a point guard who is establishing himself as one of the most clutch postseason players of his era, the Pistons should have no problem disposing of a sub-.500 Bucks team. (Prediction: Pistons in 4)
(2) Heat vs. (7) Bulls
Shaq seems to have his legs under him and Dwyane Wade has become one of the top-5 players in the league. The Bulls’ perimeter threat and energy will most likely not be enough to handle the team that was one freak injury away from winning it all last year.
(Prediction: Heat in 5)
(3) Nets vs. (6) Pacers
The Pacers struggled down the stretch to finish at .500 while the Nets closed out the regular season as arguably the hottest team in basketball. Without the defensive presence of Artest this year, the Pacers will not be able to handle the Nets’ offensive tri-fecta of Carter, Kidd and Jefferson.
(Prediction: Nets in 6)
(4) Cavs vs. (5) Wizards
This series promises to be a thriller and the most exciting of the four first-round matchups out East. King James has finally arrived to the big stage and the Cavs offense is running through him each time down the court. Finally. But Gilbert Arenas, one of the top-10 offensive threats in the league, and the Wizards seem more than ready for the challenge. This one could come down to home court advantage.
(Prediction: Cavs in 7)
Second Round
Pistons over Cavs in 5
Heat over Nets in 6
Eastern Conference Finals
Pistons over Heat in 6
NBA Finals
Pistons over Mavericks in 6
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