NBA Playoffs preview: Eastern Conference

With the 2010-11 NBA season coming to a close it is time to cast our focus to the 2011 NBA Playoffs.

Once again the best 8 teams from each conference will compete for a shot at the elusive NBA championship. This year sees the return of powerhouses like the New York Knicks and the rise of young teams like the Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies.

In just over two months and after more than 60 playoff games the 2011 NBA Champions will be crowned.

Here are the matchups for the first round and my break down of these 8 matchups.

Eastern Conference:

1-Chicago Bulls vs 8-Indianna Pacers

Bulls
Coach: Tom Thibodeau (1^st Playoff appearance)

Starting Lineup: Derrick Rose PG, Joakim Noah C, Carlos Boozer PF, Luol Deng SF, Keith Bogans SG

Pacers:

Coach: Frank Vogel (Interim) (1^st Playoff appearance)

Key Players: Danny Granger SF, Darren Collinson PG, Roy Hibbert C, Tyler Hansbrough PF, Paul George SG

After an exciting offseason in 2010 and back to back first round exits in 2009 and 2010, the Bulls hope to make a serious push for the 2011 championship. They finished the season with the top seed in the East for the first time since the Jordan era Bulls in ’98.

The Pacers would just be pleased to be in the playoffs for the first time in 5 seasons.

After removing head coach Jim O’Brian during the season the Pacers have been able to salvage the eighth seed.

The excellent defence of the Bulls will be able to shut down the Pacers easily. If the Pacers are to have any hope they will have to stop the penetration created by the leagues likely MVP, Derrick Rose. Considering this is such a difficult task the Pacers would be happy to come away with one win in this first round matchup

My Prediction: 4-1 Bulls

2-Miami Heat vs 7-Philadelphia 76’ers

Heat:

Head Coach: Erik Spoelstra (3^rd Playoff appearance)

Starting Line-up: Dwayne Wade SG, Lebron James SF, Chris Bosh PF, Mike Bibby PG, Zyndrunas Ilgauskas C

Sixers:

Head Coach: Doug Collins (6^th Playoff appearance)

Starting Line-up: Jrue Holiday PG, Jodie Meeks SG, Andre Igoudala SF, Elton Brand PF, Spencer Hawes C

The Heat will have huge things expected of them this post-season after the signings of Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and Lebron James this offseason.

The potent offense of the Heat will have to go up against one of the East’s best defences in Philly.

Miami will be looking to make a big impact with this first round matchup and after a fortnight of great play to end the regular season them I would expect them to do so.

The Sixers will be looking at veterans Elton Brand and Andre Igoudala for much of the scoring and will need Thad Young to make a big impact off the bench.

The sheer determination of the Heat should be too much for the over achieving Sixers.

My Prediction: Heat 4-0

3-Boston Celtics vs 6- New York Knicks

Celtics

Head Coach: Doc Rivers (7^th appearance)

Starting Line-up: Rajon Rondo PG, Ray Allen SG, Paul Pierce SF, Kevin Garnett PF, Shaquille O’Neal C

Knicks:

Coach: Mike D’Antoni (5^th Playoffs Appearance)

Starting Lineup: Chauncy Billups PG, Landry Fields SG, Carmelo Anthony SF, Amare Stoudemire PF, Shelden Williams C

The Celtics have stumbled into the post season for the second year in a row. After a solid start to the season the team has seemed to unravel since the All Star break. Many think this can be attributed to losing a team leader and valued member in Kendrick Perkins.

The Knicks made their own deadline moves with acquisition of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups.  Their arrival gives the Knicks more punch in the starting line-up but leaves the bench under manned.

As usual with D’Antoni’s teams, defence is not a priority. The Knicks run and gun system will likely fall apart against Boston’s superior D’. The half court abilities of ‘Melo and Amare should leave them with a shot at this series however.

The Knicks may shock the Celtics early but they should pounce back to take the series in a close one.

My Prediction: Boston 4-2

4- Orlando Magic vs 5-Atlanta Hawks

Magic:

Head Coach: Stan Van Gundy (6^th Playoffs appearance)

Starting Line-up: Jameer Nelson PG, Jason Richardson SG, Hedo Turkoglu SF, Ryan Anderson PF, Dwigth Howard C

Atlanta Hawks

Head Coach: Larry Drew (1^st Playoffs appearance)

Starting Line-up: Kirk Hinrich PG, Joe Johnson SG, Marvin Williams SF, Josh Smith PF, Al Horford C

A rematch of last years second round matchup (4-0 Magic), this one should be much closer than the previous encounter.

Since last year the Magic have made several big moves including the reacquisition of Hedo Turkoglu and the loss of forward Rashard Lewis. 

The Hawks have replaced Coach Mike Woodson since last year with former assistant Larry Drew.

Drew will need the Hawks to make a serious mark against the Magic if he is to retain the position come 2012.

The biggest problem for the Magic will be combo forward Josh Smith. Smith’s athleticism cannot be matched by anyone on the Magic except Dwight Howard. If Horford can keep Howards defensive focus then the Hawks have a chance in this one.

The raw power of Dwight Howard and the great perimeter shooting should have the Magic take this one in a very close series.

My Prediction: Magic 4-3

Check back in two days for my Break down of the Western conference matchups