NBA Playoff Possibilities: How the Lower Seeds in the East Will Win

The Eastern Conference has been known for the past decade for being a shallow conference.

This year, the top four teams in the East are all capable of reaching the NBA Finals. However, each team has its flaws and some of the potential first round matchups could expose them.

Teams like Charlotte, a first time playoff team, and Milwaukee, a team that has not been to the playoffs in a while, could be looking to upset the higher seeds. Chicago and Miami already have good experience from the playoffs and could be looking to finally advance past the first round.

If the high seeds lose focus at any time, the lower seeds could prevail. Here is what the lower seeds would need to do in order to win.

How the Miami Heat Could Beat the Boston Celtics

What Miami Needs to do in Order to Win:

With Dwyane Wade on the court, any team has a chance to lose. The main question is can he carry the Heat for four wins against the healthy Boston Celtics? Last year, Wade has one of the best regular seasons of the decade but he could not advance in the playoffs due to his lack of of a good supporting cast.

This year, the supporting cast is still mediocre. Udonis Haslem and Quentin Richardson have had surprisingly good seasons. Jermaine O'Neal and Michael Beasley have been inconsistent, but both have had stretches of playing like an all-star.

What the Heat need is for all four of the guys listed above to step up. They need Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo to become reliable shooters and distributors against Rajon Rondo's smothering defense.

Key Matchup: Michael Beasley vs. Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett
Regardless of who is guarding Beasley, he has the potential to be a serious mismatch for the Celtics. He is bigger and faster than Paul Pierce and too quick for Kevin Garnett. If Beasley's shot is falling, the Heat's chances will improve

Miami's Chances: 35%
The Celtics have not been the dominant team everyone expected them to be but there is no denying they are experienced. The Heat would have a tough time beating the Celtics.

How the Milwaukee Bucks Could Beat the Atlanta Hawks

What Milwaukee Needs to do in Order to Win:

With Andrew Bogut out of the lineup, there is not much to get excited about for Milwaukee. In the two times Atlanta played Milwaukee, Brandon Jennings scored a total of 5 points. The chances seem to be fairly low

However, there is one player on the Bucks who seems to always give the Hawks problems. In the five games he has played against the Hawks, John Salmons has averaged 20 points per game.

If the Bucks can utilize their defensive ability with Brandon Jennings and Luc Richard Mbah A Moute proving to be elite defenders, there is hope.

Key Matchups: Brandon Jennings vs. Mike Bibby
Bibby is a veteran with plenty of playoff experience. This will prove to be a tough matchup for Jennings, but he needs to show that he is the more talented player. In the 55 point game Jennings had, he proved that he can put the team on his back at any time. Consistency will be vital and if he can push the series to seven games, watch out for Jennings to pull an Allen Iverson-esque playoff performance.

Milwaukee's Chances: 25%
The Hawks nearly as young as the Bucks, but Joe Johnson should take care of business. The loss of Andrew Bogut will hurt their chances greatly.

How the Charlotte Bobcats Could Beat the Orlando Magic

What Charlotte Needs to do in Order to Win:

Believe it or not, the Bobcats have a huge advantage on the Magic. Larry Brown has nearly 50 more years of high level coaching experience than Stan Van Gundy.

Van Gundy has been criticized for not utilizing Dwight Howard and relying too heavily on the three-point shooters such as Rashard Lewis. Both teams are very athletic and love to slow the game down.

In order to win, the Bobcats need to match the Magic in shooting percentage or clean up the offensive glass efficiently.

Key Matchups: Boris Diaw vs. Rashard Lewis
Against Orlando, Diaw has had trouble shooting three-pointers. If he can establish himself as an inside-outside threat, he could help extend this series. Lewis does not present many issues for Diaw considering he carries a greater deal of muscle and could have his way with him.

Charlotte's Chances: 10%
An experienced coach and an athletic team may not be enough for this team to win against a Magic team oozing with talent.

How the Chicago Bulls Could Beat the Cleveland Cavaliers

What Chicago Needs to do in Order to Win:

Chicago needs to find a player who did what Ben Gordon did last year against the Celtics. They need someone who can flat out score. Believe it or not, Flip Murray could be their guy.

Although Murray can be a streaky shooter, last season, when given the opportunity, Murray had some huge games.

The rest of the team would need to step up as well including Luol Deng. Deng may be one of the only players in the league who can hang with LeBron James athletically and would still have his hands full.

The Bulls should look to focus all of their attention on James without sacrificing Derrick Rose.

Key Matchups: Joakim Noah vs. Cleveland Centers
Both Ilgauskas and O'Neal are too slow for Noah. Hickson makes dumb mistakes and often gets in foul trouble. Honestly, there is nobody on the Cavaliers who can cover Noah. If the Bulls can realized this and feed him the ball, they could steal a game or two from Cleveland.

Chicago's Chances: 5%
Here are six words that can sum up Chicago's chances: LeBron is in a contract year.