Eastern Conference Playoff Preview

Can you believe the meltdown of the Cleveland Cavaliers? I think the New Jersey Nets played well down the stretch, but the Cavaliers just gave it away. Too bad for LeBron "Missed the playoffs two years in a row by one game" James. King James is so overrated the scale will never come back into line. The legend of all NBA players begins with a good regular season, a great playoff performance, and is cemented by championships. LeBron has a long way to go in Cleveland. Let's look at the playoff matchups.

#1 Miami Heat vs #8 New Jersey Nets
(101.54 PPG #4 in Scoring) (91.41 PPG #29 in Scoring)
(95.02 PPG #8 in Defense) (92.91 #6 in Defense)
(+6.52 #3 in Scoring Differential) (-1.50 #19 in Scoring Differential)

I like J Kidd and Vinsanity, but the Nets have no answer for Shaq. There isn't much to discuss here. Heat sweep (4-0).

Regular Season Series: Miami leads 3 - 0
Nov 3: Miami 100, at New Jersey 77
Mar 3: Miami 106, at New Jersey 90
Mar 12: at Miami 90, New Jersey 65

Head to Head
PG Damon Jones vs. Jason Kidd
SG Dwyane Wadevs. Vince Carter
SF Eddie Jones vs. Rodney Buford
PF Udonis Haslem vs. Brian Scalabrine
C Shaquille O'Neal vs. Nenad Krstic

#2 Detroit Pistons vs #7 Philadelphia 76ers
(93.32 PPG #24 in Scoring) (99.12 PPG #10 in Scoring)
(89.46 PPG #2 in Defense) (99.86 #19 in Defense)
(+3.86 #6 in Scoring Differential) (-.74 #17 in Scoring Differential)

This would be a good matchup if PF Chris Webber had fit into the 76ers offense, but he hasn't and that will be the 76ers downfall. The Pistons have way too much defensive intensity for the 76ers. Detroit wins in 5 games (4-1).

Regular Season Series: Detroit leads 3 - 1
Nov 6: at Detroit 99, Philadelphia 91
Jan 15: at Detroit 99, Philadelphia 95
Feb 16: Detroit 93, at Philadelphia 75
Mar 23: at Philadelphia 107, Detroit 84

Head to Head
PGChauncey Billups vs. Allen Iverson
SG Richard Hamilton vs. Andre Iguodala
SF Tayshaun Prince vs. Kyle Korver
PFRasheed Wallace vs. Chris Webber
C Ben Wallace vs. Samuel Dalembert

#3 Boston Celtics vs #6 Indiana Pacers
(101.26 PPG #5 in Scoring) (93.00 PPG #25 in Scoring)
(100.40 PPG #22 in Defense) (92.24 #5 in Defense)
(+.86 #13 in Scoring Differential) (+.75 #15 in Scoring Differential)

The Celtics will want revenge for the Pacers sweep in last year's playoffs, but they arent going to get it. The Reggie Miller farewell tour won't end in the first round. Pacers win the series in 7 (4-3).

Regular Season Series: Indiana leads 2 - 1
Nov 5: Indiana 100, at Boston 94
Nov 23: at Indiana 106, Boston 96
Jan 26: at Boston 100, Indiana 86

Head to Head
PGGary Payton vs. Anthony Johnson
SG Paul Piercevs. Reggie Miller
SF Ricky Davis vs. Stephen Jackson
PFAntoine Walker vs. Jermaine O'Neal
C Raef LaFrentz vs. Dale Davis

#4 Chicago Bulls vs #5 Washington Wizards
(94.45 PPG #21 in Scoring) (100.50 PPG #6 in Scoring)
(93.39 PPG #7 in Defense) (100.82 #23 in Defense)
(+1.06 #7 in Scoring Differential) (-.32 #16 in Scoring Differential)

Congratulations to the Wizards on their return to the playoffs this year. Unfortunately they're running into the Bulls. The Bulls have too many weapons, and a lot of their players come from winning college programs, so they expect to win. Chicago is going to win in 6 games (4-2).

Regular Season Series: Washington leads 2 - 1
Dec 4: at Washington 95, Chicago 88
Feb 25: at Chicago 97, Washington 90
Apr 13: at Washington 93, Chicago 82

Head to Head
PGChris Duhon vs. Gilbert Arenas
SG Kirk Hinrich vs. Larry Hughes
SF Andres Nocioni vs. Jared Jeffries
PF Othella Harrington vs. Antawn Jamison
C Tyson Chandler vs. Brendan Haywood