With the 2010-11 National Basketball Association season coming to a close, it is time to direct our focus to the 2011 NBA Playoffs.
Once again the best eight teams from each conference will compete for a shot at the elusive NBA championship.
This year sees the return of powerhouses like the New York Knicks, and the rise of young teams like the Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Memphis Grizzlies.
In just over two months and after more than 60 playoff games, the 2011 NBA Champions will be crowned.
Here are the eight matchups for the first round, and my breakdown of each.
Eastern Conference:
1 – Chicago Bulls vs 8 – Indiana Pacers
Bulls
Coach: Tom Thibodeau (1st Playoff appearance)
Starting Lineup: Derrick Rose (PG), Joakim Noah (C), Carlos Boozer (PF), Luol Deng (SF), Keith Bogans (SG)
Pacers:
Coach: Frank Vogel (Interim) (1st Playoff appearance)
Key Players: Danny Granger (SF), Darren Collinson (PG), Roy Hibbert (C), Tyler Hansbrough (PF), Paul George (SG)
After an exciting off-season in 2010 and back-to-back first round exits in 2009 and 2010, the Bulls hope to make a serious push for the 2011 championship. They finished the season with the top seed in the East for the first time since the Jordan-era Bulls in ’98.
The Pacers would just be pleased to be in the playoffs for the first time in five seasons.
After removing head coach Jim O’Brian during the season, the Pacers have been able to salvage the eighth seed.
The Bulls’ excellent defence will be able to shut down the Pacers easily. If the Pacers are to have any hope they will have to stop the penetration created by the league’s likely MVP, Derrick Rose.
Considering this is such a difficult task, the Pacers would be happy to come away with one win in this first-round match-up.
Prediction: Bulls 4-1
2 – Miami Heat vs 7 – Philadelphia 76ers
Heat:
Head Coach: Erik Spoelstra (3rd Playoff appearance)
Starting Line-up: Dwayne Wade (SG), Lebron James (SF), Chris Bosh (PF), Mike Bibby (PG), Zyndrunas Ilgauskas (C)
Sixers:
Head Coach: Doug Collins (6th Playoff appearance)
Starting Line-up: Jrue Holiday (PG), Jodie Meeks (SG), Andre Igoudala (SF), Elton Brand (PF), Spencer Hawes (C)
The Heat will have huge things expected of them this post-season after the signings of Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and Lebron James this off-season.
The potent offence of the Heat will have to go up against one of the East’s best defences in Philly.
Miami will be looking to make a big impact with this first-round match-up, and after a fortnight of great play to end the regular season them I would expect them to do so.
The Sixers will be looking at veterans Elton Brand and Andre Igoudala for much of the scoring and will need Thad Young to make a big impact off the bench.
The sheer determination of the Heat should be too much for the over-achieving Sixers.
Prediction: Heat 4-0
3 – Boston Celtics vs 6 – New York Knicks
Celtics
Head Coach: Doc Rivers (7th Playoffs appearance)
Starting Line-up: Rajon Rondo (PG), Ray Allen (SG), Paul Pierce (SF), Kevin Garnett (PF), Shaquille O’Neal (C)
Knicks:
Coach: Mike D’Antoni (5th Playoffs appearance)
Starting Lineup: Chauncy Billups (PG), Landry Fields (SG), Carmelo Anthony (SF), Amare Stoudemire (PF), Shelden Williams (C)
The Celtics have stumbled into the post-season for the second year in a row. After a solid start to the season the team has seemed to unravel since the All Star break. Many think this can be attributed to losing a team leader and valued member in Kendrick Perkins.
The Knicks made their own deadline moves with acquisition of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. Their arrival gives the Knicks more punch in the starting line-up but leaves the bench undermanned.
As usual with D’Antoni’s teams, defence is not a priority. The Knicks’ run-and-gun system will likely fall apart against Boston’s superior D. The half court abilities of ‘melo and Amare should leave them with a shot at this series, though.
The Knicks may shock the Celtics early but they should bounce back to take the series in a close one.
My Prediction: Boston 4-2
4 – Orlando Magic vs 5 – Atlanta Hawks
Magic:
Head Coach: Stan Van Gundy (6th Playoffs appearance)
Starting Line-up: Jameer Nelson (PG), Jason Richardson (SG), Hedo Turkoglu (SF), Ryan Anderson (PF), Dwight Howard (C)
Atlanta Hawks
Head Coach: Larry Drew (1st Playoffs appearance)
Starting Line-up: Kirk Hinrich (PG), Joe Johnson (SG), Marvin Williams (SF), Josh Smith (PF), Al Horford (C)
A rematch of last year’s second-round match-up (4-0 Magic), this one should be much closer than the previous encounter.
Since last year the Magic have made several big moves, including the reacquisition of Hedo Turkoglu and the loss of forward Rashard Lewis.
The Hawks have replaced Coach Mike Woodson since last year with former assistant Larry Drew.
Drew will need the Hawks to make a serious mark against the Magic if he is to retain the position come 2012.
The biggest problem for the Magic will be combo forward Josh Smith. Smith’s athleticism cannot be matched by anyone on the Magic’s side except Dwight Howard. If Horford can keep Howard’s defensive focus then the Hawks have a chance in this one.
The raw power of Dwight Howard and the great perimeter shooting should have the Magic take this one in a very close series.
Prediction: Magic 4-3
Check back in two days for my breakdown of the Western Conference.
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