Welcome to the NBA Playoffs- Eastern Conference First Round Predictions

Well after what felt like a long regular season, we are finally at the playoffs, and it's extra exciting for us Pacers fans because we've not made the playoffs for four years.  We get a chance to shine, but then it's against the top seed, and possibly the team that's been playing the best basketball, the Chicago Bulls.  I'm not having high hopes, but hoping that we can be competitive, possibly win a game.  Winning two games would be icing on top. Playing well would be the biggest hope for this series.  


Espn breaks down each playoff series here:
Pacers Bulls    76ers Heat    Hawks Magic    Knicks Celtics
Here are my own thoughts on what to expect out of each series, and who I think will move on.

76ers vs. Heat
This probably will be a cakewalk for the Heat if they play the way they should.  The 76ers have been a surprise, and besides the other AI, it's hard knowing who is on the team.  Miami took the season series 3 games to 0, and the box scores showed the average win was by 10 points, and who knows if that even shows how close the games were.  Miami has plenty of playoff experience, Wade was MVP of the Finals back when Miam won it.  Like I said, can't imagine Miami losing this series, and taking it pretty easy.

Hawks vs. Magic
This one should be interesting because it seems like both teams flew under the radar, and I'm not really sure what to expect out of this.  I feel like we're still waiting on Howard to really take his game up.  I know this year he was mentioned in the MVP discussion, so perhaps this will be his time to shine, and show everyone he's arrived fully.  The Hawks are a team that I didn't realize took the season series from the Magic 3 game to 1.  But those games were close with Atlanta winning by an average of 6 points.  I like the Magic in this one, and it would probably go 6 games.  


Knicks vs. Celtics
Who know what to expect out of this series??  Are the Celtics going to turn it on in the playoffs like they usually do?  Are the Knicks going to play enough defense to get past the Celtics?  Will Rondo get back to form, and take over games?  Or will Melo step up and show he belongs in NY?  I definitely will be watching these series, and would love to see a good competitive 7 game series.  I don't care for either team, but I'll go with the Knicks, since they haven't been to the playoffs in a few years, and I'm tired of the Celtics.  That's good enough reasoning right?


Will the Eastern Conference be able to take the trophy away from the West?