Saturday’s NBA Playoff Preview

Miami(58-24) vs Philadelphia(41-41)  Season Series Miami

No team in the history of the league had higher expectations than the Heat…Some said they would win 70 games and others said they’ll go undefeated..Despite having 2 of the top 3 players in the league in Wade & Lebron and a top 15 player in Bosh they went thru early struggles..But they managed to win 58 games based on 3 things Wade & Lebron’s brilliance,have 1 of the league’s best defensive teams and being a terror in transition..Lebron & Wade’s game dont compliment each other,but they have alot of respect and admiration for each other and they both know how to play the game..Philly started the season 3-13 then went 33-19 before finishing the season 5-9 with their best player Andre Iguadola battling injuries..Doug Collins did a great job of getting this talented group of young players to play together…………………………Outcome Miami wins 4-0

Chicago(62-20) vs Indiana(37-45) Season Series Chicago 3-1

If anyone expected the Bulls to win 62 games and had Derrick Rose as the league’s MVP raise your hand..Going to play with Team USA helped alot of players that participated in the events expand their game..And it helped elevate Rose from a top 20 player to among the top 10..Despite having Boozer and Noah missing several games,the Bulls kept sailing along..Can they carry it over into the post season when teams step up their defense? Will the Bulls lack of perimeter shooting cause teams to sag in on Rose and stop him from getting into the lane? The Pacers might be able to extend this series if big men Hibbert & Hansbrough step up and try to contain the Bulls frontcourt players..And they get something from their reserves…….Outcome Chicago wins 4-1..

Orlando(52-30) vs (44-38) Season Series Atlanta 3-1

Gilbert Arenas is the player on the spot here..He has been a major disappointment since arriving and the Magic are stuck with his contract….But i think Van Gundy should start him and try getting him going early..Last season the Magic swept the Hawks ,But the Hawks won the series 3-1 this year..So which Hawks team will show up? The 1 that when they’re focused can hang with any team in the league? Or the team that have been inconsistant and have had several players complain about rookie coach Larry Drew’s lack of attention to detail and poor game planning? The Hawks have the talent to scare some teams..But once again i dont expect them to get out of the 1st round….Outcome Orlando 4-2

Dallas( 57-25)  vs   Portland(48-34 )    Season Series 2-2

Dallas had been known as a finesse team,but adding Tyson Chandler gives them a new look on the defensive end..But losing tough forward Caron Butler really hurt their chances of advancing far this year…Teams seem to know what to expect from the Mavs,but if Roddy Buckets was at full strength things will be alot easier for them becuz he can take some of the scoring load off Nowitski & Terry..Tom Thibeadeau might helped the Bulls get the best record and deserves coach of the year mention..But Nate McMillian should win the award, for holding things together despite losing Oden for the entire season, and having all star guard Brandon Roy miss several games with chronic knee problems..Roy might never return to the form he once had but he still uses his smarts to makeup for his lack of explosiveness…LaMarcus made this his team in Roy’s adsence..He They say in the playoffs is where you make your name not the regular season.Can LaMarcus show the world he’s 1 of the league’s best by carrying the Blazers deep into the playoffs? He wasnt named to the All Star team,but might be an all league performer..You might think that having explosive athletes like Wallace,AlDridge,Batum,Camby and Fernandez on the roster, Portland would be among the league leaders in fast-break points.But they’re near the bottom….This is the only series i expect to go 7 games…Outcome Portland wins 4-3