Daily Highlight: Atlanta Takes Series Lead

This would be a huge turnaround from last year.  Last season, Atlanta was swept by Orlando in the playoffs, and they were beaten by an average of 25 points per game.  But this season they have taken the lead in the series and are looking to upset the #4 tanked Magic.

Daily Highlight: Orlando v Atlanta Game 1

So the playoffs got off to a great start yesterday.  In the East, Miami and Chicago both got all they could handle at home, but still pulled off close wins.  Orlando was not as fortunate.  After getting blown out by an average of 25 points in their second round loss to Orlando last year, Atlanta exacted a measure of revenge yesterday in Orlando pulling off a crucial away win in the first game of the playoffs.

NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference

The 82 game season is over and the playoffs are getting started today.  It's time to get serious in the NBA.  Can Kobe and the Lakers make it another 3-peat?  Or will the aging Spurs make another run to the finals?  Can the Bulls really win the East, or will the Heat live up to early expectations?  Some good story lines to keep up with?  Let's take a look the Eastern Conference.  Here's the rankings:

1. Chicago Bulls
2. Miami Heat
3. Boston Celtics
4. Orlando Magic
5. Atlanta Hawks
6. New York Knicks
7. Philadelphia 76ers
8. Indiana Pacers

Predictions:

Just for the sake of the length of this post, I'm just going to say that the Bulls v Pacers series doesn't need a break down.  Bulls will win in 5 games.

Essentially the same deal for the Heat and the 76ers.  However, this is going to be a bit more interesting. The 76ers are young and athletic, and in that respect they can match up well with the Heat.  But their is just such a huge talent difference that the Heat will handle it no problem.  5 game series and Miami wins.

The 3-6 matchup: Celtics v Knicks.  This is where it starts to get good.  The Knicks put together a big three of their own (which is getting to be a way over-used cliche) to matchup with the Celtics' original big three.  Rondo is having some trouble recently without his good friend Kendrick Perkins around.  But with Pierce, Garnett, and Allen around, they can make up the difference.  The problem for the Knicks is that they haven't had time to gel.  Yeah they have a lot of talent, but they haven't really shown any improvement.  There are going to be some great games, but expect some blowouts too.  Both teams have shown they are capable of getting blown out and blowing out another team.  The speed offense of the Knicks under Dantonio vs the gritty defense of the Celtics is going to be fun to watch.  I pick the Celtics in 6.

And the final matchup is the Magic v the Hawks.  This is going to be an ugly series.  It will be an even one, but ugly.  The Hawks have a terrible tendency to quit games in which they find themselves in a big hole.  But at the same time, the Magic are mentally weak.  Too many bad fouls and technicals.  Dwight Howard, while a tremendous player, can be a liability.  And Gilbert Arenas...who knows what he's going to do in any given game.  So, both teams have a lot of talent, and a lot of athletic ability, but neither has the mental aspect of the game in their favor.  I hate to say it, but I'm picking the higher seed again. Orlando in 6, and expect some blowouts.

I really don't like picking the top seeds all the way through, but this isn't college.  The higher seeds almost always win out in the NBA.  And I don't think this season will be any different in the East.

Daily Highlight: Knicks get Win in OT

The Knicks finally got a win, and a win against a good team.  After a few questionable calls, the Knicks battled through overtime to beat the Magic.

Daily Highlight: More Buzzer Beaters than Just March Madness

Buzzer beaters aren't just limited to March Madness at the moment.  JAmeer Nelson hit a huge 3 against Denver to give Orlando a big win as they hunt for a good seeding in the EAstern Conference playoffs.

Daily Highlight: Heat Index

So, what's wrong with the Heat?  Against the Magic they had a 24 point lead at one point in the game and lost by 3.  As good as Miami was at they beginning, they were bad at the end.  And the reverse was true for the Magic.

Daily Highlight: Magic v Knicks

This game was back and forth a lot.  Both teams had big leads throughout the game, but in the end it was the Magic's Jameer Nelson that made the difference in the 4th quarter to win it for the Magic.