We Just finished doing a recap of the first round in the western conference. Now, it's time to evaluate the eastern conference. Here is a breakdown of each series in the east.
Number 1) Atlanta Hawks vs Number 8) Brooklyn Nets
The Atlanta Hawks have been called the Spurs of the east all season long but they look vulnerable at the moment. Al Horford cannot find his mid-range game and Jeff Teague looks more like Marquis Teague out there. Millsap is playing on an injured shoulder and Kyle Korver cannot get a rhythm going. Game 5 will be on their home floor and they need to capitalize on that.
Brooklyn is playing like it has got nothing to lose and they don't. People counted them out before the series began. Deron Williams has been widely criticized for being subpar all season but finally broke out of that slump in game 4 when he scored 35 including that 3 pointer to give them the lead with over 2 minutes to go. It was like watching Deron Williams of Utah. We all miss that guy. Brook Lopez has been big and needs to protect the rim more going forward if the Hawks are to advance.
People thought this series would be a joke but the playoffs is a different animal. Everything that happened during the regular season can be thrown out the window. People thought it would be a sweep, but now find the series deadlocked at 2-2. Atlanta still has the advantage but if the Nets steal game 5, watch out.
Number 2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs Number 7) Boston Celtics
The Cavs have the best player and best athlete on the planet in Lebron James. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love have shown they can be relied upon in the postseason albeit being their first time. Midseason acquisitions of JR Smith and Timofey Mozgov are going to play a key role if the Cavs are to compete for a championship.
The Celtics have overachieved this year and that is mainly due to their coach, Brad Stevens. He's the youngest coach and is widely respected around the league. The Celts are a second tier team but played the Cavs competitively in the first round.
As expected, the Cavs swept the Celtics but lost Kevin Love in the process. They will miss his services but the luxury of having Lebron is he's the utility guy. He can fill the gaps and cover for Love while he recovers from the shoulder injury. They will need Love back when the Cavaliers are playing for the title in June.
Number3) Chicago Bulls vs Number 6) Milwaukee Bucks
The Chicago Bulls have been inconsistent all season. Their team is predicated on defense but you would only see glmpses of that in the playoffs. The return of Derrick Rose could not solve this problem. Rose has gone from being a force of nature to the NBA's reminder that life can be cruel. Injuries are part of the game and everyone understands that. Joakim Noah needs to have a big game 6 or else this is going seven and anything can happen.
The Milwaukee Bucks are playing for their lives and find themselves in a 3-2 hole. They easily could be up 3-2 if Middleton made that jumper at the end of regulation in game 3 but that is not reality. OJ Mayo is the x-factor and barometer of this team. If he plays well, they usually win. Their defense has been great all season and that is the only way they can beat the Bulls.
Number 4) Toronto Raptors and Number 5) washington Wizards
Toronto had homecourt advantage and critics on their side when this series began. It has not been two weeks and their season is already over. What happened? Paul Pierce is what happened. The wily veteran showed the world why he was brought to the Wizards. He was talking trash before the series started and he backed it up. Having John Wall and Bradley Beal as your starting backcourt did not hurt either. They put on a clinic and made the Raptors seem overmatched the whole time.
Toronto being swept in the first round despite the higher seed would probably call for the firing of head coach Dwayne Casey. I see a lot of offseason moves in the summer because their team simply does not have enough to go deep in the playoffs. Amir Johnson has probably played his last game there. Their backcourt of Demar Derozan and Kyle Lowry is competent but they need a good bench.
The road to the finals in the east is not as bumpy as the west. It is not as loaded, but difficult just the same. When all is said and done, the Cavs will probably come out of the east and they will play the Spurs or Warriors in the finals The reason I say that is because the Cavs have Lebron James. Love him or hate him, and you are entitled to either, Lebron is a pretty remarkable basketball player. This is his world and we are all just living in it.
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