NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference First Round

#1 Chicago Bulls vs. #8 Indiana Pacers

The Bulls enter the playoffs riding the highs of a nine-game winning streak while the lowly Pacers (37-45) limp in after losing their last two. The Bulls lethal mixture of offensive talent (Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, and Kyle Korver) and defensive-minded veterans (Keith Bogans, Ronnie Brewer, and Kurt Thomas) will make them extremely difficult to beat this post-season. The Pacers will hardly put up a fight simply because they do not have enough talent compete with the team that compiled the league's best record. Chicago sweeps with ease.

#2 Miami Heat vs. #7 Philadelphia 76ers

While the Heat have been inconsistent throughout the course of the regular season, the 76ers have overachieved in large part due to the excellent job of first-year head coach Doug Collins. That said, Philadelphia does not have enough firepower to beat LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Co. in a seven game series. The Heat, despite their sometimes sporadic play, have shown flashes of brilliance. This will be an entertaining series to watch but the outcome is very predictable. Miami advances in five.

#3 Boston Celtics vs. #6 New York Knicks

Boston, if fully healthy, would have no problems with the Knicks. That is not the case, however, as Shaquille O'Neal's career seems to be all but over, Jermaine O'Neal continues to work himself in shape, and Nenad Kristic is still trying to figure out how to be effective in the Celtics' system. The Knicks provide an immediate threat as they have two of the top scorers in the league in Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. And let us not forget about Mr. Big Shot, Chauncey Billups, the 2004 NBA Finals MVP. Boston, despite their questionable front line, will beat New York in a scintillating seven game series.

#4 Orlando Magic vs. #5 Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta took three out of four contests between the two teams this season, but who can forget what the Magic did to the Hawks in last year's playoffs? In case you cannot recall, Orlando swept Atlanta with an average margin of victory of 25.3 points. Although the Magic got rid of some of the principal players (Vince Carter, Mikael Pietrus, and Marcin Gortat) involved in that series and Mike Woodson is no longer the coach of Atlanta, the memory remains. Orlando could be a force to be reckoned with in this year's playoffs if they are disciplined enough to feed Dwight Howard nearly every trip down. The Magic will move on after six hard-fought games.