Bulls Feeling the Heat: Round-by-Round NBA Playoff Predictions
After the most intriguing summer of free agency in NBA history in 2010, the playoffs that will proceed it are expected to be one of the most fascinating in league history.
So many interesting storylines surround this season's playoffs.
Among them: the Lakers' quest for a three-peat, the Knicks' return to the postseason, the Celtics' prospects after trading Kendrick Perkins, the up-and-coming Bulls trying to manage expectations after clinching the No. 1 seed in the East and the Heat's first playoff run with their new big three.
Other things to watching include the steady Spurs trying to fight off the West, the young Thunder trying to use their experience from last year's postseason, the Mavericks looking to break through as a serious contender again and the Nuggets trying to make a run without Carmelo Anthony.
With these headlines in mind, let's sort through the matchups for all four rounds and predict winners for each series.
Eastern Conference First Round
1 of 7
(No. 1) Chicago vs. (No. 8) Indiana
The Bulls won the season series, 3-1, against Indiana, with the Pacers giving Chicago its only division loss of the regular season.
Since the Bulls hold home-court advantage in this series—as well as the rest of the playoffs—expect the Bulls to handle Indiana fairly easily in this first-round matchup.
Prediction: Chicago wins the series, 4-1.
(No. 2) Miami vs. (No. 7) Philadelphia
The Heat swept the season series, 3-0, holding Philadelphia to under 100 points in all three games.
Beyond the statistics, both teams are similar; with young point guards, athletic wings and undersized (aside from Zydrunas Ilgauskas) but skilled big men, the Heat and 76ers matchup rather similarly.
Prediction: Miami wins the series, 4-2.
(No. 3) Boston vs. (No. 6) New York
This figures to be one of the most popular first-round series in recent NBA history.
With two contrasting styles, New York, an up-tempo offensively-focused group, versus Boston, a grind-it-out, defensive-lockdown team, figures to be a very physical series.
Ultimately, the Celtics' wealth of recent playoff experiences trumps the young talent and recently molded Knicks.
Prediction: Boston wins the series, 4-2.
(No. 4) Orlando vs. (No. 5) Atlanta
In a rematch of an Eastern Conference semifinal last season, Orlando and Atlanta battle for the right to face Chicago in the next round. In 2010, Orlando crushed Atlanta in four games, winning by an averaging margin of over 25 points per game.
This season, signs indicate Orlando will have more difficulty taking care of Atlanta, as the Hawks won the season series 3-1 against the Magic. But, the Hawks lost six consecutive games entering their series against Orlando.
Prediction: Orlando wins the series, 4-2.
Western Conference First Round
2 of 7
(No. 1) San Antonio vs. (No. 8) Memphis
This series will play out roughly similar to the 1-vs.-8 matchup in 2010 between the Lakers and Thunder.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich severely managed his players' minutes this season to save energy for the playoffs. It will soon be determined if the strategy will pay off as the franchise aims for its fifth title in 13 seasons.
Prediction: San Antonio wins the series, 4-2.
(No. 2) L.A. Lakers vs. (No. 7) New Orleans
The Lakers had a roller-coaster ride through the regular season, though ultimately not much has deterred anyone from removing them as a contender to repeat. Los Angeles must fight off a retooled Hornets team looking to advance with stud post player David West.
Though the Hornets certainly have an edge at point guard with Chris Paul over the Lakers' Derek Fisher, a certain five-time champion by the name of Kobe Bryant will do his best to ensure the Lakers run to the title goes as smoothly as possible.
Prediction: Los Angeles wins the series, 4-1.
(No. 3) Dallas vs. (No. 6) Portland
Dallas has won 50 games and made the postseason in each of the past 11 seasons. But the Mavericks have appeared in the conference finals just twice and the 2006 runner-up to show for.
With no cupcake to speak of as its opponent, the Mavericks must utilize big man Dirk Nowitzki well against a talented Blazers frontcourt. Portland's midseason acquisition of Gerald Wallace will certainly aid in guarding the Mavericks' talented seven-footer. Not to mention, power forward LaMarcus Aldridge is having a career year and will be a load to take on the offensive end.
Prediction: Dallas wins the series, 4-3.
(No. 4) Oklahoma City vs. (No. 5) Denver
Oklahoma City enters the playoffs in back-to-back seasons after a 55-win season in 2011. The young Thunder struck a big-time deal midseason, acquiring Kendrick Perkins from the Celtics for Jeff Green.
A big-time trade affected Denver midseason as well, as the Nuggets shipped star Carmelo Anthony to New York in exchange for virtually all of the Knicks' rotation.
After the trade, the Nuggets tallied a 18-7 record. Essentially, Denver was 10 games over .500 in 23 games after the trade compared to seven games over .500 in the 58 games prior.
Prediction: Oklahoma City wins the series, 4-3.
Eastern Conference Semifinals
3 of 7
(No. 1) Chicago vs. (No. 4) Orlando
The Bulls beat Orlando in the season series 3-1.
Both teams are sound defensively, each anchored by a defensive-minded center. Perhaps the Bulls are fortunate to own home-court advantage in this series, because Orlando has a lot of recent playoff experience while the Bulls are making their first legitimate title run since Michael Jordan retired.
First-year coach Tom Thibodeau will look to use the Bull's young defensive energy to bother the three-point laden Magic.
Dwight Howard won't dominate for the Magic, but expect him to be a major factor on the defensive end contesting Derrick Rose.
Prediction: Chicago win the series, 4-2.
(No. 2) Miami vs. (No. 3) Boston
The new Big Three versus the original Big Three.
Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh square off against Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
Twice the Celtics halted LeBron James' playoff runs as a member of the Cavaliers. Now as a figure on the Heat, James will try to guide his team to the conference finals against Boston.
No longer will Dwyane Wade have to carry an average team through a first-round playoff series. Now with help, the Heat are ready to battle the aged but experienced Celtics squad.
Miami leaped Boston for the second seed late in the season and as a result may have just scored the series with the help of the home-court advantage.
Prediction: Miami wins the series, 4-2.
Western Conference Semifinals
4 of 7
(No. 1) San Antonio vs. (No. 4) Oklahoma City
Consider the Thunder to be a more capable version of the Grizzlies. The Spurs dealing age and health issues will have an ever tougher time with Oklahoma City in Round 2 than they did with Memphis in the first round.
Oklahoma City matches up very well with the Spurs.
Though the Thunder went 0-3 against San Antonio in the regular season, mark it just a result of the grind of an NBA season.
The Spurs can probably handle Kevin Durant, but the Thunder's defense combined with the lethal abilities of Russell Westbrook should push the young guns past the aged former champs.
Prediction: Oklahoma City wins the series, 4-3.
(No. 2) L.A. Lakers vs. (No. 3) Dallas
The Lakers don't particularly match up well with Dallas. But at the same time, Dallas essentially is in unfamiliar territory. Dirk will probably play quite well but to no avail.
Expect the Lakers to simply find a way to earn a series win versus Dallas.
Prediction: Los Angeles wins the series, 4-2.
Eastern Conference Finals
5 of 7
(No. 1) Chicago vs. (No. 2) Miami
This should be a terrific series. At every position, one team has a distinct edge over the other. Miami has to figure out how to tandem Dwyane Wade and LeBron James on offense while trying to work as a team to shut down Derrick Rose defensively.
Chris Bosh is the X-factor in this series. Miami needs him to play well to advance.
The Bulls just don't have enough scoring aside from Rose and Carlos Boozer to match Wade and James in a playoff series, as the Heat undo Chicago's quest for a title in life after MJ.
Prediction: Miami wins the series, 4-3.
Western Conference Finals
6 of 7
(No. 2) L.A. Lakers vs. (No. 4) Oklahoma City
If Lakers-Heat wasn't my preseason Finals prediction, I would definitely go with the Thunder in this series.
After letting Game 6 slip away last season, the Thunder are motivated to avoid that same letdown this season. This will be a hard-fought series.
Oklahoma City is more equipped to beat Los Angeles this season than last.
Ultimately, though, the champs are still the champs, and until someone knocks them off, I am going with the Lakers.
Prediction: Los Angeles wins the series, 4-3.
NBA Finals
7 of 7
(No. 2) Los Angeles vs. (No. 2) Miami
Finally, a LeBron-Kobe Finals. America thought it was going to see this matchup the past two postseasons, but the Cavaliers didn't fulfill their end of the deal.
What a series this should be. Easily the top three perimeter players in the league—Kobe, LeBron and D-Wade—a showcase of offensive and the will to lead a team to a championship will be on full display.
Chris Bosh tastes his first championship as a pro, while the Lakers rally for a three-peat.
Each team stood pat at the trading deadline, re-tooling their squads in the offseason instead.
The coaching battle favors the Lakers in a major way with Phil Jackson over Erik Spoelstra.
Prediction: Los Angeles wins the series, 4-3.
