First Round: vs. Pacers (won series 3-1)

Win Pct. against Eastern Conference Playoff teams: .625

Outlook: The Bulls are all-business right now, with eyes set on bringing the NBA Championship back to Chicago.  They have the personnel and defensive discipline to basically cruise to the Eastern Conference Finals.  Once we get to the conference finals everything from there is a crap-shoot.  But the Bulls have something better than chance – they have Derrick Rose.  The Bulls create matchup problems for the Celtics and Heat, and I honestly have no idea what would happen in a seven game series against LA – but I hope it happens.

First Round: vs. Hornets (won series 4-0)

Win Pct. against Western Conference Playoff teams: .652

Outlook: Without a doubt the Lakers’ ability to defend their title will depend on their health, most notably the condition of Andrew Bynum’s knee.  Last season Los Angeles was able to win a title with Bynum basically playing on one leg, but could they do it again?  They should easily dismantle New Orleans before facing the winner of Dallas/Portland.  The key for LA will be to dispose of their next opponent early to give as much as rest as possible before the Western Conference Finals.  San Antonio could easily be pushed to 6 or 7 games by their second opponent, and the Lakers could use any advantage against their decade-long rivals.

First Round: vs. 76ers (won series 3-0)

Win Pct. against Eastern Conference Playoff teams: .520

Outlook: You want to be in a good rhythm coming into the playoffs, and the Heat have the beats pumping right now.  All season they have been streaky, and now they have a chance to set out what they were assembed to do: win an NBA title.  But more than anything, what gives them a chance this spring/summer is the presence of #6 and #3.  Both James and Wade have completely shut down and taken over playoff games before, and now they are on the floor together.  The only flaw that jumps out looking at the Heat is half-court execution and supporting cast, but even that can be solved by super-human performances from either one of their stars.

First Round: vs. Grizzlies (series tied 2-2)

Win Pct. against Western Conference Playoff teams: .615

Outlook: Ginobli’s hyper-extended elbow may not be as big a deal, considering the injury is on his off-side.  But it does raise extra attention on the Spurs inexperienced bench.  All season the Spurs’ reserves have been one of the keys to their success.  But most of those role players are lacking when it comes to playoff experience.  The bench will need to mature quickly and deliver down the stretch in order for the Spurs to get past their second round opponent.  Whether it’s the Thunder or Nuggets, they should expect a tough and energetic 6 or 7 game series.

First Round: vs. Knicks (won series 4-0)

Win Pct. against Eastern Conference Playoff teams: .731

Outlook: Of all the title contenders, Boston faces easily one of the most intriguing opponents in the first round.  Doc Rivers chose to rest his stars, allowing Miami to take home-court for a potential second round matchup, but now the Celtics have to face Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudamire and the streaking New York Knicks.  But the Knicks’ success was dependent on three pointers dropping, and few teams play more disciplined defense than the Celtics.  They should advance, though expect the Knicks to steal at least one in the Garden.  As far as Miami goes, the X-factor will be Boston’s bigs forcing James and Wade to become jump shooters.  The Celtics want another shot at LA, but it’s going to be harder than ever to get there.

First Round: vs. Trail Blazers (series tied 2-2)

Win Pct. against Western Conference Playoff teams: .400

Outlook: After such a strong regular season, it’s a shame that the Mavericks will have such a tough road out of the Western Conference Playoffs.  Portland is a dangerous 6-seed that has been playing spectacular basketball as of late, and even if they escape that they will have to take down the Lakers with no home-court.  The Mavericks have been one of the best teams in the league at executing inthe fourth quarter, and I think they will win a few games based on that advantage.  However, knocking off the defending champs may be too tall an order for the Mavs.

Orlando Magic (52-30), 4th in East

First Round: vs. Hawks (lost series 3-1)

Win Pct. against Eastern Conference Playoff teams: .538

Outlook: After the hype surrounding Orlando’s blockbuster trade earlier this season, the 4th seed seems a little underwhelming for Magic fans.  The new-look Magic can beat anyone in the league when the deep ball is falling, and struggle offensively when they are off.  Even though the Hawks won the regular-season series, it is hard to imagine them being able to neutralize Howard across a seven-game series.  If they get past Atlanta, I do not foresee them knocking off the Bulls – who have beaten Orlando three straight times.

First Round: vs. Thunder (lost series 3-1)

Win Pct. against Western Conference Playoff teams: .500

Outlook: It’s too bad that despite how well the Nuggets have played after trading Carmelo, they will likely have to face Oklahoma City in the first round of the playoffs. One of the only teams that can match Denver’s athleticism and tenacity, the Thunder are one of three teams in the West I think would beat Denver in a seven-game series. Still, fantastic to watch the development of Ty Lawson and Aaron Afflalo once the MeloDrama was all over.

First Round: vs. Celtics (lost series 4-0)

Win Pct. against Eastern Conference Playoff teams: .407

Outlook: Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony helped lead Denver to the Western Conference Finals in 2009 before falling to the Lakers in six games.  In 2010 Amar’e Stoudamire helped the Suns get to the Western Conference Finals before falling to the Lakers in six as well.  Now all three stars will align in New York City to try and begin the new chapter of Knicks postseason history.  They enter on a hot streak, but they also have not faced very difficult competition down the stretch.  Boston will be a rude awakening, particularly for the supporting cast.  Still, the Knicks have a shot to push this to 6 or 7 games.

First Round: vs. Mavericks (series tied 2-2)

Win Pct. against Western Conference Playoff teams: .444

Outlook: The Blazers finished on top of the 6-7-8 battle down the stretch, and now have a decent shot to pull a first round shocker.  Since the first round went to 7 games in 2003, lower seeds are 12-52 in the opening round.  But of those 12 upsets, the 6-seed has been a popular cinderella.  They have all the pieces to matchup position by position with the Mavs, and should push this to 6 or 7 easily.  Definitely the upset pick in the opening round.

First Round: vs. Magic (won series 3-1)

Win Pct. against Eastern Conference Playoff teams: .500

Outlook: The play of Collins and Pachulia down the stretch do give the Hwks some reason to hope against the Magic.  It would not surprise me to see Atlanta break out some zone defense and force Orlando’s shooters to beat them from outside.  If the shots aren’t falling, Atlanta will have a good chance to finally escape the first round.

First Round: vs. Heat (lost series 3-0)

Win Pct. against Eastern Conference Playoff teams: .360

Outlook: A lot of credit is due to Doug Collins for the work he has done with Philadelphia this year, turning them into a legitimate playoff contender for the first time in a while.  Lou Williams is supposed to return for the series, which will help the Sixers on the offensive end against the lockdown D of the Heat.  Both teams will want to run, so this series could end up being very fun to watch.  Philadelphia may steal one or two games, but I do not foresee James or Wade allowing this series to go 7.

First Round: vs. Spurs (series tied 2-2)

Win Pct. against Western Conference Playoff teams: .538

Outlook: Could you imagine the threat Memphis might pose to the Spurs if Rudy Gay was healthy?  Unfortunately, he is not and Memphis faces the difficult task of channeling the Believe! Warriors as they attempt to knock off the top-seeded Spurs.  Experience can play a huge role in the playoffs, and that is one area where Memphis is seriously lacking.  Great for the franchise to make the postseason, but the run should end in 4-5 games.

First Round: vs. Lakers (lost series 4-0)

Win Pct. against Western Conference Playoff teams: .444

Outlook: The Hornets strung together just enough wins at the right times this season to finish with a win count that put them in the postseason.  The truth of the matter is that the Hornets don’t present a huge threat to most of the Western Conference.  Even worse, they are facing a Lakers team that will be looking to “flip the switch” in the first round.  They don’t have much playoff experience, and will be overwhelmed on the front line.  At least they get to sell more tickets.

First Round: vs. Bulls (lost series 3-1)

Win Pct. against Eastern Conference Playoff teams: .308

Outlook: Head coach Frank Vogel deserves every bit of credit for turning this team around after Jim O’Brien’s dismissal.  The change helped the emergence of a young core of players that could provide the Pacers hope to return to that position of being annually competitive in the East.  Winning one game against the all-business Bulls would be good, two might seem like a miracle.