Bold NBA Playoff Predictions for the Eastern Conference

With the second half of the season underway it's time to make some bold predictions for the second half of the year. Now these might not all be conventional predictions, but if they were conventional they wouldn't be bold.

The Cavs will beat out the Celtics for the last spot

First, let's establish that there's not really that big of a difference between Boston and Cleveland. Boston is currently only 1.5 games ahead of Cleveland for the final spot. So, if you're thinking this is a ludicrous suggestion, think again. 

Second, the Cavs have been playing better lately. While Boston entered the break on a five game losing streak Cleveland has been playing .500 (6-6) ball over the last month. 

With Cleveland's young players, particularly Kyrie Irving, getting better by the game, look for Cleveland to narrow that gap completely before they surpass the Celtics. Boston is old, tanked and not going anywhere. 

The Knicks will win the Atlantic Division

If this were just about the first half of the season, then Philadelphia would win the Atlantic. It's not about the first half of the season though. Philadelphia is the leader right now but they have played a remarkably easy schedule filled with home games and weaker teams. 

The second half of the season is going to be more challenging for the Sixers, who entered the break on a five game losing streak. Expect them to struggle more in the second half. 

Meanwhile, the Knicks started to turn things around. The Knicks and Sixers are going to be going in different directions for the second half of the season, and with the Knicks already securing the first win in the regular season they only need to split the other two games to get the tie-breaker. 

Look for New York to secure the division win. 

The Pacers will have the third best record in the Eastern Conference

The Pacers do have and will have the third best record in the Eastern Conference. A team that is getting decidedly little national love (Midwest teams seem to have to work harder for that), the Pacers are actually a solid, complete team. 

They could use some offensive help though, and the fact they have $15 million to squander doesn't hurt. The Pacers, either through trade or free agency (Wilson Chandler?), will shore up that before the season is over. 

Look for the Pacers to finish with the third best record and threaten whomever they play in the second round. I don't see them getting to the finals, but I see them getting closer than most do. 

The Magic will not deal Howard

More and more I'm starting to think the Howard deal is just never going to happen. I think that Otis Smith is just unable to convince himself that anything he gets offered is worth Dwight Howard, and truthfully, it's a question of what really is. 

As far as Orlando goes, it's hard to say anything is worth Howard. It's become one of those situations where really, no matter how much gets offered, it's still not enough even if it's too much. 

Because Smith will just never pull the trigger, the deal will just never get done. 

The Bulls will win the top seed

There is a huge myth that the Heat are "by far" the best team in the league. I can see "by far" the hottest team in the league—they've won eight straight by double digits. I can see "the best" team in the league. 

The Bulls, statistically are dead even with the Heat in virtually every regard of net statistics, whether you're using net points per 100, margin of victory, or efficiency differential.

The Heat have a great offense with a good defense. The Bulls have a great defense with a good offense. They both get the same thing done in different ways, and that "thing" is destroying pretty much everyone that gets in their path.

Here's the difference though. Miami has been healthy and Chicago hasn't been. Miami has missed 11 starts due to injury, Chicago has missed 42.

That's not an "excuse" as the Heat fans are too quick to call it; it's a fact. The reason it's not an "excuse" is because it's not trying to excuse anything. 

The Bulls have won just as many as games as the Heat. They don't need to excuse anything. 

With the Bulls now getting healthy for the first time this year, it's a reasonable conclusion that they will play even better. Tonight they are expected start their starting five for only the sixth game this year and will have their full team for only the fourth time. 

The Heat have already peaked and at their peak they are pretty much dead even with the Bulls. With the Bulls getting better now, they'll raise the bar and the Heat just don't have any more in their bag.