As it stands, here are the seedings
1st- Chicago Bulls
2nd- Miami Heat
3rd- Boston Celtics
4th- Orlando Magic
5th- Atlanta Hawks
6th- Philadelphia Sixers
7th- NY Knicks
8th- Indiana Pacers
-In the first round Celtics would face the Sixers in the first round. I think they match up well with them. They are playing very well, but I think they have no clear advantage against the Celtics, expect that they can run (which is not an advantage in the playoffs)
The Knicks only have star power in Melo and Amare, and that's it. Apart from that, the Sixers are bigger in the paint and have better defensive stats. They're 8th in defensive efficiency vs the Knicks who are tied with the Suns at 22nd.
-I think this seed allows us to not have to play the Magic in the second round. We can beat them, but playing them takes alot out of the team and is extremely grueling (as was prevalent in last years playoffs)
Whether we get the 2nd or 3rd seed, we wouldn't have to face the Magic until the ECF, assuming they get that, and meaning they'd more than likely have to beat the Bulls in the 2nd round first.
Like I said in another topic, the only guy they have as far as size is Howard. They're quite honestly the same team as last season in that they live and die by the three, and now they don't even have Gortat anymore. I'm not worried about them, at all.
-The top 2 seeds are in for a tougher series then most people think. The Indiana-Chicago matchup is going to really test the Bulls. Chicago is very mediocre and they would get exposed by their simplistic offense.
I don't see the Pacers being a problem for the Bulls. Maybe I'm wrong. I feel like they don't match up well with the Bulls, especially anyone they put up against Rose. Deng, I'll take him over Granger, too.
The Heat and the Knicks are pretty evenly matched IMO. They both play one on one basketball, and lack size. Knicks do have the advantage at the 1 position, and Carmelo is more dominant than Lebron in the clutch. Upsets seem very likely to me. Which would allow the Celtics a clearer path to the EFC
True about neither team having size and both playing ISO ball, but that's why the Celtics would have a better time against the Knicks. Overpower them in the paint, and can defend their offense easier.