Eastern Conference 2nd Round Predictions

One thing I've never liked about the NBA Playoffs is when they would have the next round begin before the current round has completely finished. Today, the Philadelphia 76ers play the Boston Celtics in the first game of the second round, despite the fact that the LA Clippers-Memphis series and the Denver-LA Lakers (who play tonight) series have yet to conclude. By the way, isn't only appropriate that the two series going to a 7th game are the Los Angeles teams? Hollywood drama right there! Anyways, with neither of the Western Conference Semi-Finals match-up yet to be decided, but both of the Eastern Conference one's figured out, here are my Eastern Conference 2nd Round Predictions.

(4) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers


In the last two years, the team that I had predicted to win the NBA Championship lost in the second round. My winner for this year couldn't even make it past the first. For the fifth time in NBA history, a No. 8 vanquished a No. 1 in the first round.  With all due respect to Philly though, this kind of has an asterisk feel to it. Chicago lost their MVP in Game One, and then arguably their best defensive player later in the series.

During the regular season, the Sixers won two of the three meetings, and each of the three meeting ended with a double digit victory. However, I think one could argue that Boston has been better than they have been at any point in the season. They've shown the ability to blow-out a formidable Hawk team, as they did in Game 4, but also win in close games, as they did in Games 3 and 6. Not a single time in the series did Atlanta, who averaged 96.6 points in the regular season, even reach the 90 point mark. Kevin Garnett is playing like the Garnett of old, having averaged 18.7 PPG and 10.5 RPG during the first round, and Rajon Rondo is put up bona fide star numbers of 16.8 PPG and 11.8 APG.

It's really hard to get a grasp for Philadelphia based on the first round alone, since their opponent was hit hard by injuries. They had five different players average double figures in scoring, but aside from Jrue Holiday's 18.2 PPG, their second highest scorer was Lou Williams with 12.8. This Sixers team is one filled with depth and talent. Doug Collins has these guys playing well together, but in the playoffs, it's the stars' time to shine.

Boston is much better than a depleted Chicago team, and I don't see anyone on the Sixers team being able to carry the team on their back late in the game. In fact, the three best player in this series all play with Boston Celtics. Philadelphia is a good team, and they've shown the ability to beat Boston before, but they just don't have the star power to match-up against a hot Boston team.

Prediction: Boston in 5


(2) Miami Heat vs. (3) Indiana Pacers


Aside from Indiana dropping Game 1 to Orlando, both of these teams played around where I thought they'd play. Miami overwhelmed New York, and Orlando stood no chance against Indiana. During the regular season, Miami won three of four, blowing Indiana out the first two games.

What we have here are two teams built in completely different ways. Indiana is built on depth and having several solid to good players. Miami is built around their Big Three, with a bunch of players filling supporting role. In my studies, I've found that the latter is what typically tends to prevail in the playoffs. In the first round, the three of the leading scorers for Indiana were Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert, and George Hill. Against the Heat, those guys will be matched-up with, respectively, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade. I think any knowledgeable basketball fan would take each of the Heat's three over the Pacer's threes. In a postseason about stars, Miami has a huge edge.

If Indiana wants to win this series, they're really going to have to see a revival from their free agent acquisition, David West. West has played noticeably better in the playoffs than he did in the regular season, and his match-up against Udonis Haslem is one that is actually favorable to Indiana. He'll need to look like the All-Star of old for Miami to have a chance. Even if he does, Indiana still won't have enough to win. The Pacers are going to need HUGE production from their role players, whether that by Darren Collison, Leandro Barbosa, or Tyler Hasbrough. If one or two of those three really step it up, combined with monster performances by West, and assuming Granger and Hill don't drop off too much against the defense of James and Wade, then maybe Indiana has a chance.

Prediction: Miami in 5