Win or Go Home: Eastern Conference
Matt Kremnitzer
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Sports
The NBA Playoffs are underway after what may have been the most entertaining and interesting NBA regular season in quite some time. The Boston Celtics (66-16) and Detroit Pistons (59-23) appear to be the clear favorites heading into the playoffs in the East, but things don't appear to be so clear-cut in the West, where only seven games separate the number one seed, the L.A. Lakers (57-25), from the number eight seed, the Denver Nuggets (50-32). But even though the East as a whole can't stack up against the West, the first round still offers some very intriguing matchups for both conferences.
No. 1 Boston Celtics face the No. 8 Atlanta Hawks (37-45). During the regular season, the Celtics won all three games over the Hawks. With Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, and Al Horford, the Hawks present a strong and athletic starting lineup; however, the Hawks only have one formidable player on their bench -- Josh Childress. Their starters play heavy minutes, and in a series against a defensive-minded team like the Celtics, the Hawks are going to need some extra help. Unfortunately, they just don't have that extra gear, but the Celtics, with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, do. Garnett and the rest of the Celtics shouldn't have a problem containing the Hawks.
Key matchup: Rajon Rondo vs. Mike Bibby. Acquired in a trade with the Kings, Bibby has given the Hawks a steady point guard and three-point shooter. Rondo has improved tremendously for the Celtics this year, and he may be the best defensive point guard in the East. If the Hawks are going to have any chance to beat the Celtics, they will all have to shoot well, especially Bibby. If Rondo can keep him in check, don't look for any repeat of Golden State and Dallas from last season.
Prediction: Celtics in 4
No. 2 Detroit Pistons face the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers (40-42). The Sixers completely turned their season around in the second half of the season and were one of the hottest teams over that stretch. Their season series against the Pistons serves as a perfect example: the Pistons beat the Sixers twice in the first half, but the Sixers won both games over the Pistons in the second half to even the season series. The Sixers have the talent on the bench to support their starters, and those young players, Jason Smith, Thaddeus Young, and Louis Williams, may help the Sixers steal a game or two. The Pistons, though, play defense and have a veteran starting lineup: Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, and Antonio McDyess. They also have an athletic big man, Jason Maxiell, coming off the bench.
No. 1 Boston Celtics face the No. 8 Atlanta Hawks (37-45). During the regular season, the Celtics won all three games over the Hawks. With Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, and Al Horford, the Hawks present a strong and athletic starting lineup; however, the Hawks only have one formidable player on their bench -- Josh Childress. Their starters play heavy minutes, and in a series against a defensive-minded team like the Celtics, the Hawks are going to need some extra help. Unfortunately, they just don't have that extra gear, but the Celtics, with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, do. Garnett and the rest of the Celtics shouldn't have a problem containing the Hawks.
Key matchup: Rajon Rondo vs. Mike Bibby. Acquired in a trade with the Kings, Bibby has given the Hawks a steady point guard and three-point shooter. Rondo has improved tremendously for the Celtics this year, and he may be the best defensive point guard in the East. If the Hawks are going to have any chance to beat the Celtics, they will all have to shoot well, especially Bibby. If Rondo can keep him in check, don't look for any repeat of Golden State and Dallas from last season.
Prediction: Celtics in 4
No. 2 Detroit Pistons face the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers (40-42). The Sixers completely turned their season around in the second half of the season and were one of the hottest teams over that stretch. Their season series against the Pistons serves as a perfect example: the Pistons beat the Sixers twice in the first half, but the Sixers won both games over the Pistons in the second half to even the season series. The Sixers have the talent on the bench to support their starters, and those young players, Jason Smith, Thaddeus Young, and Louis Williams, may help the Sixers steal a game or two. The Pistons, though, play defense and have a veteran starting lineup: Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, and Antonio McDyess. They also have an athletic big man, Jason Maxiell, coming off the bench.
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