NBA Playoffs: Potential First-Round Matchups in Eastern Conference

The NBA playoffs are two weeks away, and the 1-8 seeds are starting to take shape in the Eastern Conference.

With a healthy Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls should be the top seed in the East for the second consecutive season and will rely on their defense to guide them through the playoffs.  

The Miami Heat will end up as the No. 2 seed behind the Bulls. However, going into the playoffs, they will be the favorites in the East.  

Here is what the first round of the NBA playoffs should look like.  

1. Chicago Bulls vs. 8. New York Knicks

In what should be an entertaining series, the New York Knicks will be the No. 8 seed in the playoffs and will face the Chicago Bulls in the first round. 

The New York Knicks have had an up-and-down season, to say the least, but they should get into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed.

Losing Jeremy Lin and Amare Stoudemire to injuries, really hurts the Knicks, but they should still be able to give Chicago a run for their money.

The Bulls have been very consistent all season, playing without Rose and Hamilton for a good portion of it. And with two weeks left in the regular season, the Bulls should  have enough time to find offensive chemistry. 

The Bulls are one of the best defensive teams in the league, and they will need to rely on defense as they look to make a run to the NBA finals.   

2. Miami Heat vs. 7. Philedephia 76ers

In what should be a rematch of last year's first-round match, the Miami Heat will take on the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the NBA playoffs.  

LeBron James will once again begin his quest for his first NBA championship, as he and the Heat will try and get back to the finals.   

Philadelphia lost to the Heat in five games last year. However, the Heat didn't run over them as many had thought, going into that series.  

The 76ers were a surprise team last year, and it carried over to this season.  At 29-27, they should be able to gain some ground on the Knicks, who are playing without key players in Amare Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin.  

3. Indiana Pacers. 6. Orlando Magic

The Indiana Pacers have been a nice surprise this season and have a chance to finish third this year.

Last season, the Pacers played the Bulls well and have carried that momentum into this season.

After a couple of key additions during the offseason, the Pacers have a chance to advance to the second round in the East, especially if they have home-court advantage in the first round. 

The Indiana Pacers are 13-10 since the All-Star break and should be able to hold down the No. 3 seed the rest of the way.  

The Orlando Magic have been the topic of discussion in the sports world, as star center Dwight Howard asked for his coach Stan Van Gundy to be fired.

However, Van Gundy is going to finish the season, and the two will have to make peace, if they are going to want to make a run at the NBA finals.   

4. Boston Celtics vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks

The Boston Celtics have quietly been on a roll the last few games and have the second best record since the All-Star break.

After moving Kevin Garnett to center, the Celtics really took off and should be able to lock down the No. 4 seed in the East and open the first round at home.  

In their last 10 games, the Celtics are 7-3 and on a two-game winning streak.  

The Celtics are two games behind the current No. 3 seed Indiana, and the Celtics should be the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.  

Since the All-Star break, the Atlanta Hawks are 14-9, and they could finish as high as the No. 3 seed in the East.

But with the recent play of the Boston Celtics and with the consistent play of the Pacers, they should be the No. 5 seed in the East.