Playoffs part 1

The shortened NBA season is over, now time for the players to perform on the big stage. The NBA playoffs.

Bulls v 76ers (Bulls 1-0)
The 76ers are the surprise packet of the NBA at the moment. The lack of stars in a well rounded team scraped into the 8th seed up against the top side in the east. Their franchise player Andre Iguodala has had an interrupted season and is getting good support from elder statesman Elton Brand and scoring punch from point guard Holiday and 6th man Lou Williams. The bulls are strong, but have just lost reigning MVP, Derrick Rose with a torn ACL. They are one up in the series and I still think they run a bit deep to get over Philly in 6 games.

Heat v Knicks (Heat 2-0)
The big three vs the new three. King Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh will be striving to prove they are championship contenders after losing last years final series to the Mavs. While the Knicks are still learning to combine all stars Carmello Anthony and Amare Stoudemire with new sensation Jeremy Lin. Unfortunately this spate of knee injuries in the NBA have cut down Lin and unless they can progress past the first round, you wont see him again this season. The heat are all class and will be too much for my boys. The heat in 4 games and Lebron to come away with the league MVP...but will he finally get a championship ring to go with it?

Pacers v Magic (1-1)
The most improved team up against a Magic team that limped into the playoffs and now without their superstar Dwight Howard. Another round probably ruined by a season ending injury. The magic will struggle to put points on the board without him. The pacers are another depth team with a solid starting 5. Their hopes of advancing will hinge on Granger, Hibbert and Paul George. While Dave West is having a great end to the season and will push the magic in a tight series. I see this going to 7 with the pacers winning with a slightly larger firepower.

Celtics v Hawks (Hawks 1-0)
The celtics came into the playoffs with good form. The old big three of Pierce, Garnett and Allen has almost been overshadowed by the form of their new superstar Rajon Rondo. The hawks team has built solidly over the past couple of seasons and are very tough to beat at home. This made harder by the celtics dropping their opening home game. They will now have to win in Atlanta to push the series. The suspension to Rondo for chest bumping a referee not helping things. Another close series and I think Pierce and the boys will come back and win in 7.

Part 2 we will look to the west, stay tuned.