Across the board, this year’s first round NBA playoff series have been as entertaining as any that I can recall in recent memory.  With only one Eastern Conference squad handling their business (the Cavs swept the Pistons), there are three playoff series which are reached Game 6.

Here are my thoughts on the things to look out for in Game 6 of each of these series:

Atlanta and Miami have provided us with many fireworks in their series.

Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat:  

Hawks- Let’s see if Woodson can find a way to get JJ (Joe Johnson) some good looks at the basket.  He played better in Game 5 than in the other games of the series, but overall he is still finding it tough to get open shots.  When JJ is dictating the flow of their offensive game, Atlanta is at their best.   

Heat- I would try to establish my shooters early in the game.  If Miami is able to get Daequan Cook, Mario Chalmers and James Jones some shots, things could come a little bit easier for Dwayne Wade.  Also, if I’m the Heat, I want to make sure that Wade has some legs left to carry the team late in the game.

Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers:

Magic – Focus on sound fundamental defense.  Orlando needs to make Philly beat them from the outside.  The 76ers are a team with very few, if any, accomplished shooters.  If the Magic defenders are able to stay between their man and the basket, and keep them off of the free throw line, their odds of winning this road contest will increase dramatically.

76ers - The Sixers are at their best when the game is played at a helter-skelter pace.  They are very athletic and they need to take advantage of that.  Also, they need to push the ball so that they can get some early offensive scores before Dwight Howard makes it down the court.  Give Louis Williams a few extra minutes and let him play at the speed that he is accustomed to.

P-Double needs to have a '99' clutch rating on NBA Live.

Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls:

Celtics – Boston needs to figure out how to defend the pick and roll.  I know that’s easier said than done (considering that the pick and roll has been a staple in the NBA for decades), but Derrick Rose is absolutely killing them – because the Celtics keep switching.  Doc needs to have Rondo, House or whoever is guarding Rose fight through the pick and attempt to stay with Rose.  Whenever Boston switches on the pick, one of their bigs ends up checking Rose.  And Rose just slices them up.

Bulls – In key moments, Chicago needs to have Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon and John Salmons in the game.  These three comprise the best mix of offensive creativity – as well as shot-making ability - of any threesome in the Eastern Conference playoffs (LeBron only counts as one person, right??).

Happy Game 6 watching!!

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