Gaining Momentum: The Eastern Conference Semifinals Preview

Indiana Pacers (1) vs. Washington Wizards (5)
Quarterfinals Top Performers:
Paul George (IND): 23.1ppg, 10.1rpg, 4.6apg (in 8 playoff games)
John Wall (WAS): 17.8ppg, 7.0apg, 2.0spg (in 6 playoff games)

The Pacers In: It's quite a miracle that the Indiana Hawks have survived a resilient Atlanta Hawks team that has nothing on the Pacers except their midrange big men (against which all-star center Roy Hibbert are ineffective against). Coach Frank Vogel owes a lot to Paul George for willing the whole team back into competitive mode following a 3-2 series lead by the Hawks. Now that they are facing another team that perhaps delivers a stronger firepower than the Hawks, the question heading into the second round is how they are going to make adjustments that will guarantee them the win. Perhaps that includes providing a different role for Lance Stephenson and giving way for other bigs such as David West and Luis Scola on the defensive end.

The Wizards In: John Wall and Bradley Beal have already proven their point, and now they can stroll around saying that they are playoff winners in their first appearance ever. For these two, nothing has changed, for they just played their roles quite well during their stretch against the Chicago Bulls. The real surprise comes with frontcourt members Nene and Marcin Gortat, who took their offense on the outside while sealing the paint on the D. They keep this up, and they are headed for another upset.

What could be: If Indiana gets their momentum back, then Washington ought to be afraid of what a number one team can do. Pacers in 6.
[as of press time, the Wizards took Game 1 of the series with a 102-96 win]

Miami Heat (2) vs. Brooklyn Nets (6)
Quarterfinals Top Performers
LeBron James (MIA): 30.0ppg, 8.0rpg, 11.0ftapg
Paul Pierce (BKN): 13.4ppg, 4.4rpg, 0.465fg%

The Heat In: Technically, the Heat got a free pass into the semifinals. The Charlotte Bobcats, in their last season, had most of their players entering the playoffs for the first time, had their best player at forty percent and hobbling, and as a consequence blew three out of their four playoff games. What Coach Erik Spoelstra has to be concerned with is how Miami can get back into their championship groove, without taking the next opponent lightly, and he can start motivating by displaying LeBron as an example.

The Nets In: One big psychological advantage that the Nets have over the Heat is the fact that they swept all their regular season games against the Heat. This is not a big thing, but it presents a real possibility that they can take the series. But more than just that, their actual advantage comes in the Boston migrants, specifically Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. All the while, these two provided the veteran support needed to keep the Nets afloat, leaving space for Joe Johnson and Deron Williams to do what they're used to. In fact, one can say that with the way the Nets are brightly decorated with stars as the Miami Heat, they really can pull off an upset. It's just a matter of timing and execution.

What could be: Brooklyn might have all the weapons, but Miami still has the time and experience to go back to their playoff ways just in case they have lagged behind. Heat in 7.

A Case of Weeding Out: The 2014 Eastern Conference Playoff Preview

Unlike the Western Conference, the first eight teams of the East are considered a surprise, since there is a huge gap between each other in terms of games behind. But this does not mean that things are not going to get excited, because with the East, one ought to be ready for surprises.

(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks

The Pacers In: Coach Frank Vogel and the rest of the Pacers should be able to breathe a sigh of relief after having reached number 1 despite a late season slump. But despite this decline, it still doesn't change the fact that they are one of the teams with the best personnel. They have quality post presence in Roy Hibbert and David West, a formidable playmaking/scoring combo in Paul George and Lance Stephenson, and reliable role players in Evan Turner (although one could put a huge question mark on him) and George Hill. The bottom line here is that we should not even be debating whether the Pacers are going past the first and second rounds. The more important question here is: can they build enough confidence to beat Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals?

The Hawks In: Another season passes for the Hawks, another disappearance for center Al Horford. It's a good thing, though, that for this season, the Hawks are prepared by having former Utah Jazz Paul Millsap at their side. However, despite this, Coach Mike Budenholzer still prefers work from the outside, that is, rely heavily on three-point specialist Kyle Korver to bomb opponents and Jeff Teague to slide in and out. But would this work against a playoff powerhouse that can cover all bases? This perhaps is Budenholzer's moment, as we see how he adjust against an elite team.

What could be: There's even no question here, and there should not be. Pacers in 5.

(4) Chicago Bulls vs. (5) Washington Wizards

The Bulls In: It must have been difficult for the Bulls to move on without Derrick Rose for the second straight season, and Coach Tom Thibodeau deserves another round of praise and applause for making plan B work. As of now, the Bulls heavily rely on Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson. Oh, and did we mention that Luol Deng is out of the team? The Bulls settled for Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy, and miraculously, they managed to survive. Hopefully, this set up won't be here for the next playoff series, but at least Bulls fans can bank on the confidence of their players and Thib's strategy. But the question here is, up to when will this last?

The Wizards In: Gilbert Arenas. As far as everyone can remember, he is the team's star when the Wizards last entered the playoffs. Thanks to a few maneuvres here and there (which, by the way, doesn't guarantee something any better in the near future), the Wizards are now in the playoffs courtesy of Nene, Marcin Gortat, Martell Webster, and of course John Wall. Certainly, it was Wall who made it possible with his all-star performance, and at least for this season, he got the help that he needed in these three, plus a few contributions here and there by Trevor Ariza (who seems to be back in his old form after having avoided injuries), and young gun Bradley Beal (now in the process of showing that he's not just for show). However, despite this upgrade, it will be difficult to duplicate the success of Arenas' squad before, and its success depends on Wall playing better than what everyone sees right now

What could be: In a loose sense, both of these are recovery projects. However, only one of them can succeed, and the Bulls can nail this one in six games.

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) Charlotte Bobcats

The Heat In: My, my, Miami. At the beginning of the season, the trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, are ready for title defense. Unfortunately, due to the rise of the teams who are out to get their backs, as well as a few injuries at some points in the season, they suffered a little setback. This playoffs is a first in their title defense, as it is expected that they lose their homecourt advantage by the Eastern Conference Finals, and it does not sound so good because they will be doing so only against the Indiana Pacers, with whom they needed a game seven to advance to the Finals. Perhaps coming at this point, one thing that the Heat can do is relax and prepare themselves for whatever comes in the playoffs, for, having a bigger target at them, teams can pull outrageous but surprising tricks that could leave them packing for good.

The 'Cats In: Isn't it fitting for the last season of the Bobcats to at least have a playoff spot, considering that they were denied countless times, with the last time being Gerald Wallace's own work? Now, it seems that Al Jefferson's transfer to the Bobcats had its effects. For the first time in Bobcats history since Emeka Okafor, the team had a legitimate post presence that makes it easier for the offense to slide smooth and tougher for the defense. But will this be effective against the Miami Heat when, besides this, all it has is lots of skill coupled with inexperience in Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Cody Zeller. Let's hope that Gerald Henderson, together with Jefferson, can hold this team up.

What could be: A legitimate question with a legitimate answer: the Heat is going to sweep this one.

(3) Toronto Raptors vs. (6) Brooklyn Nets

The Raptors In: Another celebration ought to be in place for the Raptors, who for the first time secured a legitimate playoff spot since the departure of one Chris Bosh. However, one should note that this isn't a powerhouse team that promises to go deep into the playoffs. If the Raptors have a big problem, it is something that definitely concerns efficiency. DeMar DeRozan isn't exactly the efficient kind, taking 20 or more shots and making only less than half of them. Jonas Valanciunas and Amir Johnson aren't the types to bang bodies with in the course of the seven games. Perhaps the only bright light in this team is Kyle Lowry, who has fully flourished from becoming a backup role to a star point guard for a team that has flashes of brilliance despite being a subpar division leader. Does this mean that they don't deserve the playoff spot, given that the curve of wins in the East is just very low? Let them play and prove something that they have not reached so far.

The Nets In: After acquiring Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry, as well as hiring Jason Kidd as a coach, the Nets have become a running joke from the first part of the season. Fortunately, they were able to turn the tables, transforming themselves into an underrated playoff team, ending up at sixth and probably without any home court advantages to enjoy. But who needs these, when everyone's clicking? Paul Pierce is back in his old Celtics form, and so is Garnett despite age. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson are hitting it. The reserves are playing well (case in point, Plums). Everyone makes Jason Kidd look good. And most of all, they have the bragging rights against the defending champions. It's fun to watch the Nets these times, eh?

What could be: Let's not kid(d) ourselves here. Brooklyn can take this in 5 games.

Stacked Odds: The 2012 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview

The East has always been about power, but who among them is going to come out the strongest? Here are the four playoff match-ups for the East's first round.


(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers

The Bulls In: The Bulls have retained their position as king of the hill in the East for another season, despite the fact that Derrick Rose was out for more than a third of it. In fact, it might have been a blessing in disguise for the team, as it allowed their role players to finally step out of Rose's shadow and do what they do best, team defense included, to defend their fort. Most significant of them all was Luol Deng, who became this season's go-to guy, earning an All Star spot in the process. Alongside Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, and the rest of the Bulls, he still has to go through the test of bringing this team to postseason victory, and while the cylinders are firing, it's good that they will have Rose back for the postseason.

The Sixers In: The success of the Sixers and their possibility of going deep into the playoffs have been evident in the first part of the season, that is, until they have experienced their fallout that brought them back to the mud and fortunately, in the last playoff position. However, to say that they are going to perform like your typical number eight team would be an understatement. These guys have long been tired of getting booted out of the playoffs just after the first round, an experience Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand would hope to not experience again this season. These two guys have Jodie Meeks,Evan Turner, and Thad Young to back them up, and they have the capability to dominate, only if they become consistent and start closing out games their own way and not their opponent's. Can they or can they not? Unfortunately, this question has to be asked over and over before and after every game played.

What could Be: Team defense is still the key for Chicago, and if they play at their best, then not even the scorers of Philadelphia could even match their defensive intensity. Bulls in 5.

(4) Atlanta Hawks vs. (5) Boston Celtics

The Hawks In: For Most Improved Player candidate Jeff Teague, it would be hard losing Al Horford for the rest of the season. The Hawks under Coach Larry Drew have become steady and consistent for most of the season, and we have Josh Smith and Joe Johnson to thank for. These two guys have come up big inside the paint and within midrange, as they have carried the rest of the team on their backs, especially in terms of scoring when it mattered most (hey, remember the longest game this season? Exactly). But these two would not be able to find their sweet, comfortable areas if not for their playmaker Jeff Teague, who is making a case for Most Improved Player award after he fully embraced the role of a starting one. If Teague can make the same things as he did during the regular season, then expect that the Hawks will be handed over their ticket into the second round.

The Celtics In: The biggest question that the waning Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen combo should ask is, "Is it the end of an era?" Well, at least with Rajon Rondo around, it seems that the Celtics can make another run for the championship. Rondo not only emerged as a real threat to opponents as a triple-double machine, but also he came out as the Celtics' leader this season by continuing to orchestrate perfect plays for the Big Three to play their roles on both ends of the court. And credit also belongs to their role players Mickael Pietrus, Brandon Bass, and Avery Bradley, who stepped up during the times when age and injuries hit their big three. From barely hanging on to the East's top eight to reasserting that they still have chances of winning the championships, can the Celtics now bring back the mean, green fighting machine of 2008 and 2010 and reclaim their throne?

What could be: The five position will be crucial here, and with Horford out and Garnett dominating the post, getting into second round will prove to be easier, but still they need to keep their defenses tight. Celtics in 6.

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) New York Knicks

The Heat In: Is the Miami Heat running out of excuses for not winning a championship? It seems that Dwyane Wade already emphasized in one of his statements that there won't be any, and it will indeed be a huge loss if they do not at least get a chance to fight for a title (while, on the other hand, LeBron "Mr. 0.75" James, thinks otherwise). The Heat already had additions which made the team a better closer on the defensive end, and has rookies who can compete with the veterans of the league. And it seems that with the way they dismantled their opponents during the regular season despite ending up only second in the Conference tells us that Wade is only stating the obvious.

The Knicks In: The team in the biggest, busiest city of the United States had their own share of trends and fads that made fans expect that indeed the Knicks are set to make it big. First, they had Tyson Chandler, who upped their defensive intensity in the court. Second, they had Linsanity, who kept them afloat before everything went haywire. And third, they had Mike Woodson, who replaced Mike D'Antoni and made big changes to the team. All of these contributed to their ups and downs of the season, including them landing the 7th place in the playoffs. But will all of these be only matters concerning fame and popularity? Or will they really help in increasing the chances of the Knicks getting deep into the playoffs? And did we ever mention that Carmelo Anthony is hitting the high 40's again in scoring? It would be helpful to do so.

What could be: Heat in 6. And this prediction is open to various interpretations and explanations. But the thing is, New York has a three which isn't really big at all, at least for now.

(3) Indiana Pacers vs. (6) Orlando Magic

The Pacers In: The post-Reggie Miller Indiana has found a star in Danny Granger, and coupled with young role players in Roy Hibbert, David West, and Darren Collison just made this team a legitimate contender heading into the playoffs. But credit must be given mostly to Coach Frank Vogel, who made a machine out of these strong individual parts. The Pacers have established their rhythm early and it seems that there is no way that the team will let its guard down, especially now that Granger established himself to be a legitimate scorer, and Hibbert showed how he can keep up with other centers out to dominate the shaded area, though he still lacks presence in the post. With a plethora of talents going together, then it seems that the Pacers must advance, and go deep, into the East playoffs bracket.

The Magic In: Orlando basketball has taken a turn from two hours of 82 action games to a season and a half long of drama that featured a Dwight Howard who does not know how to make up its mind. But with the Superman suffering from an injury (and set to leave the team after next season, at least for now), the Magic will have to face the reality of not having him but still managing to enter the playoffs, albeit not with any form of home court advantage as before. Magic fans need not worry though, for their team has a lot of role players that can prove to be threatening as one. Just think of how Jameer Nelson can still break ankles, JJ Redick hit shooters, and Most Improved Player candidate Ryan Anderson destroy zone defenses with his sweet shooting from the outside. And without the Superman, there's always Glen Davis who has been reliable in the paint insofar as this season is concerned. The challenge, therefore, for the Magic is to get over the drama and start playing sports.

What could be: Apparently, losing Dwight Howard means losing a lot, which means giving it away for West and Hibbert. Pacers in 5.