#4 Boston Celtics vs. #8 Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers have gotten past the first round of the playoffs for the first since 2003. While their fans can be happy about that, they should also know that they stand no chance in hell of beating a healthy Boston team. The Sixers could barely get by the Bulls, who were without their leading scorer and rebounder. They have a few nice players, but no one great, especially to match Boston's big four.
The Celtics were able to recover from a Game 1 loss to Atlanta, then win without the suspended Rajon Rondo in Game 2, and controlled the series from that point on. While not the players they were once were, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen can all still come up big as Garnett showed in pouring in 28 points in Game 6 to close out the Hawks.
The Sixers will be leaning on Jrue Holiday and hoping he can stop Rondo from going wild and dictating things with his passing. They will also need Spencer Hawes to play big down low and get consistent scoring from Andre Iguodala.
Both teams ranked towards the bottom of the league in scoring but play tremendous defense. Expect to see a lot of scores in the 70s and 80s in this series. Philly will find that when they actually have to play a healthy team, even if that team is mostly old as dirt, the going will be too tough for them.
Prediction: Celtics over 76ers, 4-1
#2 Miami Heat vs. #3 Indiana Pacers
This series should be far more interesting and competitive than the Sixers/Celtics series will be. The Heat made easy work of the Knicks in five games, while the Pacers bounced back from a shocking Game 1 loss, to knock out the Magic in five. Indiana has gone mostly unnoticed this season due to not having a superstar but they finished the regular season with just four less wins than the Heat.
The Heat are better than the Pacers offensively and defensively, but what may keep the Pacers in the series is their edge on the glass. Their big center Roy Hibbert could have a huge series going against Udonis Haslem. Haslem isn't a bad player but he will definitely have issues with Hibbert's size. Like against the Knicks, the Heat will be lucky to be facing a team that doesn't have a dynamic point guard. George Hill of the Pacers is adequate but isn't a difference maker. Danny Granger will be expected to do the bulk of the scoring for Indiana, while Tyler Hansbrough, and Darren Collison will be expected to provide a lift for the team off the bench. David West will have to contend with Chris Bosh, while it will be Granger's responsibility to at least try to control LeBron James.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel has already started the talking by saying the Heat were the biggest floppers in the league. That will be sure to raise the ire of James and Dwyane Wade. In basketball, you usually need at least one superstar to win a championship and that is what will be the downfall of Indiana. They are well coached and have a bunch of good players but they don't have that player that can be "the guy" in crunch time. A team without superstars is not going to beat a team with two of the best players in the league in a seven game series. The Pacers will make life difficult for the Heat, but ultimately the Heat's stars will be too much.
Prediction: Heat over Pacers, 4-2
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