Eastern Conference Playoff Preview

I'm going to be previewing the playoffs and the matchups indivdiually. I will do the Eastern Confrence today, and the Western Conference tommorrow. (Stats for last 5 games).

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks

Can JJ lift his team to a victory over the Celtics?

Why the Hawks Will Win: The Hawks are capable of defeating the Boston Celtics. When you have an all-star player in Joe Johnson (20.0p, 3.2r, 5.2a) and a great defender who's capable of scoring in Josh Smith (19.2p, 8.2a, 3.0a, 1.8b), they can win some games for the Hawks. Smith is this team's X-factor because he's able to play and guard 4 positions. If the Hawks can go into him early and try to get KG or Kendrick Perkins in foul trouble, then the Celtics would have to rely on the bench to carry them. Add a playoff-tested point guard in Mike Bibby (13.6p, 4.8r, 4.6a) and an impressive rebounding rookie in Al Horford (11.2p, 10r, 2.6a) , the possibility of an upset over the best team in the East is not so bleak.

Why the Celtics Will Win: Boston has exceeded everyone's expectations this season. Most experts had them pegged as 48-52 win team. Well, it shouldn't have been that hard to realize that a team with 3 potential future hall-of-famers wouldn't be this good. Kevin Garnett (16.5p, 8.0r, 54 FG%) has been nothing short of amazing, and his defensive ability and leadership qualities has been crucial to this Boston team. Paul Pierce (15.8p, 52 fg%, 55 3p%) , even though leading the team in points, has been the second banana to KG. That doesn't mean he's bad but just the Celtics have him to be second speaks wonders to this team's success. Rajan Rondo (12p 5.2r, 6.2a) and Leon Powe (13.3p, 5.3r, 60 fg%) are going to be critical to this team going past the elite teams.

Matchups

PG Rajan Rondo vs. Mike Bibby
Adv. Atlanta
SG Ray Allen vs. Joe Johnson
Adv. Atlanta
SF Paul Pierce vs. Marvin Williams
Adv. Boston
PF Kevin Garnett vs. Josh Smith
Adv. Boston
C Kendrick Perkins vs. Al Horford
Adv. Atlanta
6th Man James Posey vs. Josh Childress
Adv. Atlanta
Bench Boston vs. Atlanta
Adv. Boston
Coach Doc Rivers vs. Mike Woodson
Adv. Boston

My Prediction: Celtics in 5


(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Washington Wizards

Can Agent Zero unfoil King James's gameplans?

Why the Cavaliers Will Win: LeBron James. James had one of the most amazing seasons the NBA has seen in recent times and he is more than capable of leading a team to a playoff series. The Cavs also have been a defensive team that can shut a team down to below 90 points and are known to get their fair share of rebounds. Shutting down Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison will be important for Cleveland's frontcourt so Ben "Brick Dunks" Wallace and Zydrunas Illgauskas have a lot to handle. If they can force the Wiz to rely on someone on in the Big 3 and get Big Z more touches, the Cavs will be looking to advance to the next round.

Why the Wizards Will Win: Washington has dealt with major injuries that could have pushed this team out of playoff contention. Fisrt, Gilbert Arenas got injured, thenCaron Butler started going down with nagging injuries. Not with some time to heal, this team is a very healthy and dangerous. Whenever you have Agent Zero coming off the bench and Antwan Jamison having his best season yet, Washington is a tough beat. The Wizards know that James is going to get his points but they need to focus on Big Z and force him to make contested mid-range shots. If Deshawn Stevenson can backup his mouth and Andray Blatche bring his athleticism, The Wizards should have an easy time beating the Cavs.

Matchups

PG Delonte West vs. Antonio Daniels
Adv. Washington
SG Devin Brown vs. DeShawn Stevenson
Adv. Washington
SF LeBron James vs. Caron Butler
Adv. Cleveland
PF Ben Wallace vs. Antwan Jamison
Adv. Washington
C Zydrunas Illguaskas vs. Brendan Haywood
Adv. Cleveland
6th Man Anderson Varejao vs. Gilbert Arenas
Adv. Washington
Bench Cleveland vs. Washington
Adv. Washington
Coach Mike Brown vs. eddie Jordan
Adv. Washington

My Prediction: Wizards in 6

(3) Orlando Magic vs. (6) Toronto Raptors

This may be the only way the Raptors would be able to contain Dwight.

Why the Magic Will Win: Orlando has been the Eastern Conference's most under-appreciated team after winning 52 games in the regular season. With an improving dominant Shaq-like force in Dwight Howard, the Magic will be a tough team to beat. Howard has made a transition into being a 20-10-2 guy and he's a lock to get at least 3 dunks a game. The Raptors have no one who can guard him and Orlando also have two great swingmen playing beside Dwight. Rashard Lewis has not quite lived up to expectations but if he can provide quality 3-pt shooting, that would open up other's people's games. Hedo Turkoglu has been nothing short of spectacular. He has been their go-t guy in the fourth quarter and almost became a 20-6-5 guy. If Hedo plays like himself and Jameer Nelson can start playing more consistent, the Magic will advance to the next round.

Why the Raptors Will Win: If Dwight Howard is the domiant force in the East, then Chris Bosh has been the slient assain with the deadly mid-range game. Bosh, a 4-time all star, has played great against the Magic, averaging 33.0p, 7.5r and 3.0a in the 2 games he played. But Toronto was only 1-1 in those games. But the reason could have been Jamario Moon not playing in one of those games. Moon who is an athletic freak of nature, could potentially pose a threat to Orlando. But the two biggest X-factors could be Rasho Nesterovic and T.J. Ford. Rasho (15.8p, 6.7r, 57 fg%) has been playing like one of the best centers in the NBA. He provides a big body and a player who has a great shooting touch. Ford (13.5p, 7.3a, 53 fg%), is a very streaky player. One game he'll give you 23 and 8, the next game 5 and 5. If can push the tempo and penetrate to the hole for easy baskets, Toronto will be looking to upset Orlando.

Matchups

PG Jameer Nelson vs. T.J. Ford
Adv. Toronto
SG Maurice Evans vs. Anthony Parker
Adv. Toronto
SF Hedo Turkoglu vs. Jamario Moon
Adv. Orlando
PF Rashard Lewis vs. Chris Bosh
Adv. Toronto
C Dwight Howard vs. Rasho Nestorovic
Adv. Orlando
6th Man Keith Bogans vs. Jose Calderon
Adv. Toronto
Bench Orlando vs. Toronto
Adv. Toronto
Coach Stan Van Gundy vs. Sam Mitchell
Adv. Orlando

My Prediction: Magic in 7

(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers

Can Rip take his team over A.I.'s Sixers?

Why the Pistons Will Win: Detroit has been the top team to beat in the Eastern Conference for the past 6 years. The Pistons went 7-2 in the month of April, even though most of the playing time went to the reserves and the starters got some much-needed rest. Not only does Mo-Town possess one of the game’s stingiest defenses (holding opponents to just 90.1p and a 43.0 fg%) but they get it done on the other end with an unstoppable inside (Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess)/outside (Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince) scoring attack. With Rodney Stuckey and Jason Maxiell coming into their own rhythm, 76ers need to dig deep in their bag of tricks. Look for Sheed to dominate Philadelphia's lack of big men and the Pistons advancing to the next round.

Why the Sixers Will Win: Andre Miller and Andre Igoudala have combined to lead this ultra-athletic team to the playoffs for the first time since 04-05. Iggy (18.0p, 5.6r, 5.4a, 3.2s) has been playing at an all-star level all season and brings a great perimeter defense this team needs. Miller is capable of scoring against any point guard and looks to embrace the matchup against Chauncey. Coach Mo Cheeks have got these player to play at an incredible pace to show how fast and talented this team. With young players like Louis Williams and Thaddeus Young, and battle-tested veterans like Samuel Dalembert, this team could pull a Cleveland over Detroit.

Matchups

PG Chauncey Billups vs. Andre Miller
Adv. Detroit
SG Richard Hamilton vs. Willie Green
Adv. Detroit
SF Tayshaun Prince vs. Andre Iguodala
Adv. Philadelphia
PF Rasheed Wallace vs. Reggie Evans
Adv. Detroit
C Antonio McDyess vs. Samuel Dalembert
Adv. Philadelphia
6th Man Jason Maxiell vs. Louis Williams
Adv. Detroit
Bench Detroit vs. Philadelphia
Adv. Detroit
Coach Flip Saunders vs. Maurice Cheeks
Adv. Detroit

My Prediction: Pistons in 5