Post by Jahallstar on Sept 15, 2009 10:05:29 GMT -5
After a very predictable 1st round in the east lets take a look at how the 2nd round matchups look. There is a lot of anticipation of a potential Chicago vs Indiana Eastern Conference Finals matchup. However there are two teams that would like to break up that part. Unlike last season injuries should not play any role in how these matchups end up turning out. Lets not delay any longer. Here is our first matchup :
#1 Chicago Bulls
vs
#5 Philadelphia 76ers
Key Match-up: Vernon Maxwell vs Stephen Jackson
Injuries: Bulls - None 76ers - None
Season Series: Bulls 4-0
BULLS* 107, 76ers 85
Bulls* 95, 76ERS 81
Bulls* 93, 76ERS 91
BULLS* 95, 76ers 91
Outlook: Well the defending champs did start off this season a little slow. They certainly have not finished that way though. The come into the 2nd round of the playoffs the big favorite to go back to the finals this year and perhaps go back to back. In this series the 76ers are going to have to get big time play from Stephen Jackson. For them to win this series he will not only have to match the Bulls #2 man Vernon Maxwell, he will have to out play him. Bulls superstar Etienne Preira will get his pretty much any time he wants it. Many of the higher ups in the 76ers organization think Penny Hardaway can keep him in check some though. If Penny can accomplish this the 6ers have a fighting chance. Dragan Tarlac has put up some nice offensive numbers this year for Philly but I am not so sure he will have much luck against the front line of Deke and Camby. Overall the 6ers have a nice team and they went out and added a major piece in Jimmy Jackson just for this spot right here, however in the end it will just be too much superstar power in Chicago to overcome the champs.
Prediction: Bulls in 5
#2 New Jersey Nets
vs
#3 Indiana Pacers
Key Match-up : Chauncey Billups vs Predrag Danilovic
Injuries: New Jersey - None, Indiana - None
Season Series: 2-2
Pacers 108, NETS 107
Nets 120, PACERS 96
PACERS 95, Nets 91
NETS 105, Pacers 89
Outlook: If there is one team in the east that can dethrone the Bulls it is the Pacers. This is a very complete team. They don't have a 'superstar' per say but they are very solid top to bottom. They have a nice bench also. Before we start talking about the Bulls vs Pacers ECF we have to talk about the New Jersey Nets. This Nets team is led by youngsters Chauncey Billups and Jerry Stackhouse. They should not be taken lightly either. It will be very interesting to see Chauncey go head to head against the vet Predrag Danilovic. This is a matchup that I believe the Nets will have to win to come out on top this series. The most explosive player in the series is Harold Minor. He has been somewhat inconsistent though. For the Pacers to capture the ultimate prize he will have to be dominant for them for the duration of the playoffs. The front court could decide this series though. The Pacers should end up with a big rebounding advantage and I think that will be the deciding factor in this hard fought series.
Prediction: Pacers in 7
