Aside from the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers – who are equipped with a fully-rested man-child named LeBron James (the soon-to-be MVP of this season) – is there any team that is a lock to advance to the second round in the NBA’s Eastern Conference?  

Let’s dig into these matchups and see how the opening round will play out:  

#4 Boston Celtics vs. #5 Miami Heat

Boston Advantages:  Boston is old, but they have tons of playoff basketball experience.  K.G., Ray-Ray, the Truth, and ’Sheed are perennial participants in the NBA’s postseason – and they just happen to be the best players on the Celtic roster (with exception to PG Rajon Rondo).  Their bench play is sporadic, but definitely has the potential to be far more effective than that of Miami.    

Miami Advantages:  D-Wade.  That’s about all you can say about the Heat these days.  Miami will only go as far as he can carry them.  Michael Beasley should be a mismatch in favor of the Heat, but he’s still refusing to dominate games like he’s totally capable of.  Jermaine O’Neal has been playing above average ball, and the Heat have been 11-4 with him in the lineup since the beginning of March. 

Bottom Line:  While the Green Machine has clearly demonstrated sign of aging this regular season, I can’t pick them to go home in the first round.  They’ll find a way to get things done and move on to a more daunting opponent.  Sorry D-Wade.  Maybe he should have Gabrielle Union sit near the Celtics bench or something.  

Scott Skiles and Brandon Jennings have their work cut out for them in their first-round series.

#3 Atlanta Hawks vs. #6 Milwaukee Bucks

Atlanta Advantages:  The Hawks have a rare commodity of size and athleticism.  Josh Smith and Al Horford defend the basket well, yet they both have cat-like reflexes.  With the exception of the point guard spot, they are big at every position.  And with the Bucks missing Andrew Bogut, their advantage in the paint increases exponentially.  Jamal Crawford is, perhaps, the best bench player in the league (a top candidate for Sixth Man of the Year) and the top closer on Atlanta’s roster.  You know that you have some special talent on your team when perennial All-Star Joe Johnson is your second option in crunch time.  

Milwaukee Advantages:  They don’t have many.  Brandon Jennings has the speed and quickness advantage over veteran point man Mike Bibby.  Scott Skiles will have to insist that Jennings pushes the ball, penetrates into the paint and stop jacking up quick threes.  Forward Ersan Ilyasova is aggressive offensively, and 15-20 points per game is not out of the question for him.  If he’s able to provide that each game, it’ll keep the Bucks close to the Hawks.  Skiles can out-coach Mike Woodson and he seems to get more out of this Milwaukee bunch than he should. 

Bottom Line:  It was going to be hard enough for the Bucks to outlast the Hawks in a seven-game tilt.  But with Bogut out of the mix, Milwaukee simply does not have the requisite toughness to hang with ATL.  It’s really a shame, because the way that the Bucks were playing, this could have been the best series of the opening round.  

#2 Orlando Magic vs. #7 Charlotte Bobcats     

Orlando Advantages:  Dwight Howard, who’ll likely become a repeat winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award, anchors a solid, but non-spectacular defense.  Orlando has guys that can really fill it up from the perimeter – Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick, Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus, Jason Williams and Matt Barnes all represent threats from beyond the three-point arc.  Consequently, there’s a lot of space inside with which Howard is left to operate.

Charlotte Advantages:  Charlotte’s biggest advantage is having two guys in their organization who you never can count out – head coach Larry Brown and guard/forward Stephen Jackson.  They both execute their craft with skill and emotion, which can be a volatile combination…either for themselves or their opponents.  The Bobcats have players that will attack the basket (Gerald Wallace and Tyrus Thomas come to mind), and they’ll have to try and curtail Howard’s dominance by getting some early whistles blown against him.  

Bottom Line:  If a team struggles to score consistently during the regular season, do you think it would get any better in the playoffs?  And besides, almost all of the key Magic players have been postseason-tested.  Stan Van Gundy’s group has superior offensive execution and talent.  While defense may win championships, a horrid offense won’t even get you there.   

Gerald Wallace and Charlotte need to attack the paint with aggression.

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Chicago Bulls  

Cleveland Advantages:  Their lead for the best record in the NBA was locked up so soon that they have been able to rest LeBron James for the last 2 weeks.  So, now, if you’re Chicago, you have to face a 25-year-old who averaged 29.7, 7.3 and 8.6 and hasn’t played since April 6?  Having Antawn Jamison and Maurice Williams play during James’ hiatus gave them some much needed confidence and momentum that will have them prepared to contribute when the playoffs begin.  The Cavs should be able to pound the Bulls into submission with its abundance of bigs: Shaquille O’Neal (that’s right – he’s barely an afterthought these days), Zydrunas Ilgauskas, J.J. Hickson, and Andersen Varajeo.  And who knows?  There may even be a Leon Powe siting… 

Chicago Advantages:  All-Star Derrick Rose has been great as the pressure of making the playoffs has mounted.  Over his last four contests, he’s putting up 28.5 points and 7.5 assists while shooting 57% from the field.  His hot hand will have to lead the Bulls if they want to be competitive at all.  Joakim Noah has unseated Andersen Varajeo (only for the moment) as the best Carrot-Top player in the league.  His activity at both ends of the floor saves possessions and/or creates new opportunities for Chicago.  His relentless energy will have to make up for Chicago’s tendency to have scoring droughts.   

Bottom Line:  LeBron James is playing against a team that has absolutely no answer for him.  The Bulls won’t be playing in a seven-game series this year.  That’s the bottom line.

More NBA Playoff Analysis – Western Conference Preview

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