Frankly, there isn't much to say about this match-up. The Bucks simply don't have even close to enough talent to even bother the Heat. The only way it would be possible for the Bucks to even make this an entertaining series would be if point guard Brandon Jennings somehow were to catch fire and score 30 a game while shooting over 50% from the field. Considering he has a career field goal percentage of 39%, I think there's a better chance of getting me to watch a soccer game than that happening...that would be funny if you knew how much I despise watching soccer...oh well, not all jokes are winners. Anyway, unless the Bucks get their hands on some of Michael's "secret stuff" from space jam, the Bucks will be heading home early.
#2 New York Knicks vs. #7 Boston Celtics
Aw look, they're hugging. This is going to be one of the better series of the first round. The Knicks are undoubtedly the more talented team of the two teams, but the Celtics have a championship pedigree with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and one of the best coaches in the NBA in Doc Rivers. With the recent emergence of Jeff Green who has averaged over 17 points per game since the start of March, the Celtics are a dangerous team on both sides of the floor. There won't be a single game that the Celtics aren't at least going to make competitive. However, behind the leadership of Carmelo Anthony, who led the league in scoring this year, the Knicks should be able to pull this series out. If for no other reason, then it's because Melo absolutely needs to win this series. Since being drafted in 2003, he has only made it out of the first round of the playoffs one time. For someone who wants to be labeled as a "Superstar", that is completely unacceptable, so even if it means he needs to score 40 a game, Melo has no choice but to win this series.
#3 Indiana Pacers vs. #6 Atlanta Hawks
Despite being a 3 seed vs a 6 seed these two teams are pretty closely matched in terms of talent. However, I give the edge to the Pacers for a couple of reasons. First and foremost is the great defense they play night in and night out. They allowed the second fewest points per game (90.7) by forcing opponents to only shoot 42% from the field, good for first in the league. Another reason is because the defensive strength of the Pacers perfectly counters the offensive strength of the Hawks. The two best players on the Hawks are the center Al Horford and power forward Josh Smith. They will be defended by Roy Hibbert and David West respectively, which will give them fits in the paint. This will result in Smith falling into his bad tendency of pulling up for long jumpers, something he is less than average at. Lastly, as I've mentioned Smith and Horford are the team's best players, but they both struggle mightily at the free throw line (52% and 64% respectively). In the playoffs, free throws are critical. If it's a close game at the end, you want to get the ball in the hands of your best players. Unfortunately for the Hawks, if they try to do that, the Pacers will most likely just foul them on purpose and send them to the line which means trouble for Atlanta.
#4 Brooklyn Nets vs #5 Chicago Bulls
Pick: Bulls in 7 games
This is going to be a good series and it is tough one for me to pick. However I think that the Bulls are going to pull this one out because of a combination of good defense and playoff experience. This Brooklyn roster has never been in the playoffs together and that will hurt them when going up against the chemistry of the Bulls. The match-up at every position is interesting and will probably be very entertaining to watch the individual battles that each position will have. Whether it's Joakim Noah against Brook Lopez or Jimmy Butler against Joe Johnson it will certainly be fun to watch these guys battle. That being said I like what the Bulls bring to the table, especially with the offensive punch of Nate Robinson off the bench. Lastly, I fully expect Tom Thibodeau to out-coach P.J. Carlesimo, leading the Bulls past the Nets.
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