2019 East Playoffs Preview & Analysis
Jun 15, 2013 4:43:31 GMT -5
Post by gp on Jun 15, 2013 4:43:31 GMT -5
2019 East Playoffs Preview & Analysis
1st Round
#1 Chicago Bulls Up 2
V
#8 Knicks Down 1
Breakdown:
All three games thus far in this series have been decided by double digit outcomes. If it remains this way, this style of winning favors the Bulls, who led the league in scoring at over 123 points per game. It is encouraging the Knicks won game 3 at Madison Square Garden however they were able to hold the Bulls under 40% shooting in that game which the odds are won’t happen again in this series. The Knicks have to hope to pull out game 4 and steal a game in Chicago in order to force this to 7 games.
Key matchup: CHI SG Da’Sean Butler vs NYK James Young
Both are prolific scorers that seem like mirrors of each other with their ability to make an impact inside and out. While Butler had better stats during the regular season, Young has so far edged out Butler on the scoring tip this postseason. If the Knicks have any chance in this series, it may come down to James Young to take them to the second round.
Prediction:Bulls advance 4-2
#4 Toronto Raptors Up 2
V
#5 Hawks Down 1
Breakdown:
Perhaps one of the most intriguing series this playoffs in the East is the Hawks versus the Raptors. Both teams are stacked with good, young talent. After stealing game 1 in Toronto by 13, the Hawks dropped the next two in nearly the same way. The Raptors shot a robust 17 out of 32 from the three point stripe (53%) in games 2 and 3 leading to victories and a 2-1 series lead. If the Hawks don’t figure out a way to keep Nikola Mirotic and Matt Harpring from bombing with their outside shooting, they may be not make it to the second round.
Key matchup: TOR PF Nikola Mirotic vs ATL PF Anthony Davis
Up to this point, Mirotic has dominated the matchup while pacing the Raptors in scoring in both of their wins. Davis may have a problem matching up with Mirotic since he can stroke it from outside and score inside as well. The bigs for both teams have to step up in order to win this series.
Prediction: Raptors advance 4-3
#2 New Jersey Nets 2
V
#7 Boston Celtics 1
Breakdown:
Surprisingly the Nets are still up this series despite turning over the ball at an alarming rateThe Nets have managed to get ahead in this series with their 3-pt shooting led by Terrence Ross, Marcus Sapp and Kareem Kanter. The Celtics managed a 1 point victory on the heels of Milan Macvan leading the way in scoring for Boston. Obviously this series would be different if Michael Kidd Gilchrist was playing but he is out with injury which probably means Boston needs quite a few players to step up.
Key matchup:NJ PG Kareem Kanter vs BOS PG Jermaine Reed
This matchup may come down to who turns over the ball less in this matchup. Both are known to lose the ball pretty easily and are more known for their scoring and shooting ability. Overall, Reed is the more talented guard but Kanter can win this series if he limits his turnovers.
Prediction:Nets advance 4-2
#3 New Orleans Hornets Up 1
V
#6 Detroit Pistons Up 2
Breakdown:
The three-time defending champion Hornets may be facing their first opening round knockout in quite some time. So far, the Pistons have been doing the job on the defensive end and keeping the Hornets scoring down in both of their wins. Bigs Willie Cauley-Stein and Ricardo Wroten have shut down the interior scoring for the Hornets so far and made it difficult for Quincy Acy and Isaiah Austin to get going.
Key matchup: DET SF Jesus Brown vs NOH Quincy Acy
Brown has so far been able to slow down Acy’s production games 2 and 3. While Brown’s scoring has taken a hit because of Quincy’s size and strength, his defense will be prominent in this series in trying to neutralize Acy. If Brown is successful, the Pistons have an excellent chance to upseat the champs in round 1.
Prediction: Pistons upset and advance 4-3
East semis
#1 Chicago Bulls
V
#4 Toronto Raptors
Breakdown:
The Bulls will have a tougher matchup in round 2 with @dj and the Raptors. Bulls forward DeJuan Blair will need to shut down and takeaway Nikola Mirotic so they can focus on offense. When they’re on the attack, the Bulls will make a living with Marcus Smart at the helm and leading the charge. The Raptors will have a difficult time defending Smart with Kyle Crawford.
Key matchup: CHI PG Marcus Smart vs TOR PG Kyle Crawford
Smart edged out Acy for the MVP of the league this year and has been a staple of the Bulls success this year. It will be difficult for the Raptors to matchup with Smart using Crawford despite Crawford being an A rated defender.
Prediction: Bulls advance to East Finals, 4-2
#2 New Jersey Nets
V
#6 Detroit Pistons
Breakdown:
Both of these teams find themselves in the conference semis despite having low chances at the beginning of the playoffs. Thanks to good luck and strong matchups, they are possibly in this matchup with a trip to the East Finals on the line. In this one, I believe the Pistons will pull ahead because of their strong defense will overwhelm the Nets on offense.
Key matchup: DET SG Kevin Durant vs NJ SG Marcus Sapp
Obviously Durant is a natural 3 but can switch to the 2 if needed. If the Pistons DC stays the same, they could see this matchup as crucial in winning the matchup. Sapp is a young, dynamic scorer who has managed to mesh well with Terrence Ross and Kareem Kanter. Overall, Durant should have the edge but Sapp could close the gap with some big performances.
Prediction: Pistons punch a ticket to the East finals, 4-2
East Finals
#1 Chicago Bulls
V
#6 Detroit Pistons
Breakdown:
The Bulls find themselves with a relatively low seeded Pistons team in the East finals but it will not be a cakewalk. The Pistons have weapons on offense and have a good set of shot blockers that can lock down the interior of the paint. Chicago will look to dominate the point guard matchup by relying heavily on Smart against Eric Bledsoe, although Bledsoe is no slouch on defense. Overall, the Bulls have much more talent and depth and should rally to overcome the Pistons’ stingy defense.
Key matchup: DET PF Amir Johnson vs CHI PF DeJuan Blair
There was a time when Amir Johnson was one of the best PFs in the league. Although those days are gone, Johnson may have his best chance at a championship and the Finals going against Blair in the ECF. Blair will not back down either despite not holding the size advantage and being one the most underrated players in the league.
Prediction: Bulls win 4-1 and represent the East in the Finals against the Warriors and win 4-1 against them.
1st Round
#1 Chicago Bulls Up 2
V
#8 Knicks Down 1
Breakdown:
All three games thus far in this series have been decided by double digit outcomes. If it remains this way, this style of winning favors the Bulls, who led the league in scoring at over 123 points per game. It is encouraging the Knicks won game 3 at Madison Square Garden however they were able to hold the Bulls under 40% shooting in that game which the odds are won’t happen again in this series. The Knicks have to hope to pull out game 4 and steal a game in Chicago in order to force this to 7 games.
Key matchup: CHI SG Da’Sean Butler vs NYK James Young
Both are prolific scorers that seem like mirrors of each other with their ability to make an impact inside and out. While Butler had better stats during the regular season, Young has so far edged out Butler on the scoring tip this postseason. If the Knicks have any chance in this series, it may come down to James Young to take them to the second round.
Prediction:Bulls advance 4-2
#4 Toronto Raptors Up 2
V
#5 Hawks Down 1
Breakdown:
Perhaps one of the most intriguing series this playoffs in the East is the Hawks versus the Raptors. Both teams are stacked with good, young talent. After stealing game 1 in Toronto by 13, the Hawks dropped the next two in nearly the same way. The Raptors shot a robust 17 out of 32 from the three point stripe (53%) in games 2 and 3 leading to victories and a 2-1 series lead. If the Hawks don’t figure out a way to keep Nikola Mirotic and Matt Harpring from bombing with their outside shooting, they may be not make it to the second round.
Key matchup: TOR PF Nikola Mirotic vs ATL PF Anthony Davis
Up to this point, Mirotic has dominated the matchup while pacing the Raptors in scoring in both of their wins. Davis may have a problem matching up with Mirotic since he can stroke it from outside and score inside as well. The bigs for both teams have to step up in order to win this series.
Prediction: Raptors advance 4-3
#2 New Jersey Nets 2
V
#7 Boston Celtics 1
Breakdown:
Surprisingly the Nets are still up this series despite turning over the ball at an alarming rateThe Nets have managed to get ahead in this series with their 3-pt shooting led by Terrence Ross, Marcus Sapp and Kareem Kanter. The Celtics managed a 1 point victory on the heels of Milan Macvan leading the way in scoring for Boston. Obviously this series would be different if Michael Kidd Gilchrist was playing but he is out with injury which probably means Boston needs quite a few players to step up.
Key matchup:NJ PG Kareem Kanter vs BOS PG Jermaine Reed
This matchup may come down to who turns over the ball less in this matchup. Both are known to lose the ball pretty easily and are more known for their scoring and shooting ability. Overall, Reed is the more talented guard but Kanter can win this series if he limits his turnovers.
Prediction:Nets advance 4-2
#3 New Orleans Hornets Up 1
V
#6 Detroit Pistons Up 2
Breakdown:
The three-time defending champion Hornets may be facing their first opening round knockout in quite some time. So far, the Pistons have been doing the job on the defensive end and keeping the Hornets scoring down in both of their wins. Bigs Willie Cauley-Stein and Ricardo Wroten have shut down the interior scoring for the Hornets so far and made it difficult for Quincy Acy and Isaiah Austin to get going.
Key matchup: DET SF Jesus Brown vs NOH Quincy Acy
Brown has so far been able to slow down Acy’s production games 2 and 3. While Brown’s scoring has taken a hit because of Quincy’s size and strength, his defense will be prominent in this series in trying to neutralize Acy. If Brown is successful, the Pistons have an excellent chance to upseat the champs in round 1.
Prediction: Pistons upset and advance 4-3
East semis
#1 Chicago Bulls
V
#4 Toronto Raptors
Breakdown:
The Bulls will have a tougher matchup in round 2 with @dj and the Raptors. Bulls forward DeJuan Blair will need to shut down and takeaway Nikola Mirotic so they can focus on offense. When they’re on the attack, the Bulls will make a living with Marcus Smart at the helm and leading the charge. The Raptors will have a difficult time defending Smart with Kyle Crawford.
Key matchup: CHI PG Marcus Smart vs TOR PG Kyle Crawford
Smart edged out Acy for the MVP of the league this year and has been a staple of the Bulls success this year. It will be difficult for the Raptors to matchup with Smart using Crawford despite Crawford being an A rated defender.
Prediction: Bulls advance to East Finals, 4-2
#2 New Jersey Nets
V
#6 Detroit Pistons
Breakdown:
Both of these teams find themselves in the conference semis despite having low chances at the beginning of the playoffs. Thanks to good luck and strong matchups, they are possibly in this matchup with a trip to the East Finals on the line. In this one, I believe the Pistons will pull ahead because of their strong defense will overwhelm the Nets on offense.
Key matchup: DET SG Kevin Durant vs NJ SG Marcus Sapp
Obviously Durant is a natural 3 but can switch to the 2 if needed. If the Pistons DC stays the same, they could see this matchup as crucial in winning the matchup. Sapp is a young, dynamic scorer who has managed to mesh well with Terrence Ross and Kareem Kanter. Overall, Durant should have the edge but Sapp could close the gap with some big performances.
Prediction: Pistons punch a ticket to the East finals, 4-2
East Finals
#1 Chicago Bulls
V
#6 Detroit Pistons
Breakdown:
The Bulls find themselves with a relatively low seeded Pistons team in the East finals but it will not be a cakewalk. The Pistons have weapons on offense and have a good set of shot blockers that can lock down the interior of the paint. Chicago will look to dominate the point guard matchup by relying heavily on Smart against Eric Bledsoe, although Bledsoe is no slouch on defense. Overall, the Bulls have much more talent and depth and should rally to overcome the Pistons’ stingy defense.
Key matchup: DET PF Amir Johnson vs CHI PF DeJuan Blair
There was a time when Amir Johnson was one of the best PFs in the league. Although those days are gone, Johnson may have his best chance at a championship and the Finals going against Blair in the ECF. Blair will not back down either despite not holding the size advantage and being one the most underrated players in the league.
Prediction: Bulls win 4-1 and represent the East in the Finals against the Warriors and win 4-1 against them.
