The NBA playoffs have arrived, and while the Eastern Conference hasn’t gotten the attention of the Western Conference this past season, the matchups in the first round are going to shape the battles that lie ahead. It matters which teams get out of the first round.
Eastern Conference First Round Previews
Charlotte Bobcats vs. Miami Heat
NBA Series Price: Heat -2100
This should be the most straightforward series in the East. The Heat have spent a lot of time during the season trying to rest themselves for the playoff push ahead. What you’ll also notice about this series is that Game 1 is on Sunday and Game 2 is on Wednesday. Miami, a team that has been worn down by the strain of trying to win a third consecutive title, can really get some time to refresh itself. The Heat rested LeBron James and Chris Bosh all this week. Dwyane Wade has been played sparingly of late. Miami should be ready to do what it needs to against a Charlotte team that is not in the same league.
Pick: Miami In 5
Atlanta Hawks vs. Indiana Pacers
NBA Series Price: Pacers -650
The Hawks did beat the Pacers by 19 points a few weeks ago on Indiana’s home court. Atlanta won twice against Indiana during the regular season. There is a basis for the prediction that the Hawks are going to extend this series to at least six games if not seven. However, the Hawks will not have Al Horford in the paint for this series, and that’s something which should ultimately harm them a great deal. Indiana did wobble late in the season, but the Pacers have been spending the season waiting for the playoffs and a chance to get a rematch with Miami. Indiana might struggle in future playoff series, but it won’t struggle in this one.
Pick: Indiana In 5
Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
NBA Series Price: Nets -170
This is the toughest series in the East, and it’s quite possibly the toughest series of the eight that will be played in the first round. Brooklyn is the team with experience. The Nets boast Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, not to mention Deron Williams. This is a team with a lot of players that have been around for a long time. They know how to handle the pressure of the playoffs, and that will be their strength in this series.
Toronto’s advantage comes in the form of better physical conditioning. The Raptors have much younger legs and a bunch of players that will have the chance to play with a lot more energy than what Brooklyn can muster. The Raptors could beat the Nets in transition and expose Brooklyn as a slow team that is not athletic enough to compete at a high level. The Nets won’t have a better team next year, but right now, they’re more prepared to win a playoff series than the Raptors are.
Pick: Brooklyn In 6
Washington Wizards vs. Chicago Bulls
NBA Series Price: Bulls -195
The Wizards moved up to the fifth position in the playoffs. They avoided facing the Miami Heat, which is a good thing, but they have to play the Chicago Bulls instead, which is not much of an improvement. The Wizards have a terrific point guard in John Wall and a great wing scorer-shooter in Bradley Beal, but Chicago relies on its defense to stop opponents and has shown so many times that it can shut down talented scorers. The Bulls have one of the best coaches in the league in Tom Thibodeau, and that’s why they’re more than likely to win this series, probably without needing a Game 7.
Pick: Chicago In 6
