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Derrick Rose looks forward to leading the Bulls past the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
After playing its 66-game lockout-shortened season, the NBA starts its playoffs this weekend. A look at first-round matchups tipping off Saturday:
Chicago (1) vs. Philadelphia (8)
Season series: Chicago, 2-1.
The Overview
After all Der- rick Rose went through in the regular season, with five different injuries shelving him for a total of 27 games, is anyone confident that he can stay healthy and lead his team to the Finals? Despite the reigning MVP’s repeated absences, the Bulls (50-16) still went 18-9 without him and finished with the No. 1 overall seed for the second straight season. Tom Thibodeau is seen as a lock to win his second straight Coach of the Year award as the Bulls led the NBA in scoring defense (allowing only 88.2 points per game, a Bulls record) and had the No. 1 rebound differential (6.7). Doug Collins’ Sixers (35-31) started 20-9, then lost 22 of their final 37 games. They’re not built for the playoffs â€" they have no stars, struggle to score (93.6 ppg) and lack an inside presence. Against the Bulls this season, they made only eight of 33 three-point tries. If it’s another quick first-round ouster, then everybody will await Collins’ decision as to whether he wants to come back for a third season on Broad St.
Prediction: Chicago in five.
Indiana (3) vs. Orlando (6)
Season series: Orlando, 3-1.
The Overview
The Pacers won the grand prize: drawing the Magic (37-29) without Dwight Howard. He averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds against the overmatched Roy Hibbert in the regular season, while the Magic knocked down an average of 10 three-pointers per game. With Howard recovering from back surgery and the undersized Glen (Big Baby) Davis now manning the middle, the Pacers can focus on stopping Ryan Anderson, J.J. Redick and the Magic’s other long-range specialists. Defensively, Howard’s absence is a killer for Stan Van Gundy, who probably will be out at season’s end, a victim of a power struggle with the franchise’s top player. In the recent games the All-NBA center missed, opponents averaged 99 points, compared to 93 when he played. Under Frank Vogel, the Pacers (42-24) won 12 of their last 15 to finish a surprising third. But even without a star, they posted several impressive wins over contenders, including the Thunder, Lakers (in L.A.), Bulls (in Chicago, with Derrick Rose playing), Heat and Celtics. Everything points to them making it to the second round for the first time since 2005.
Prediction: Indiana in five.
Oklahoma City (2) vs. Dallas (7)
Season series: Oklahoma City, 3-1.
The Overview
After getting to the Western finals last spring, the Thunder (47-19) has been a popular choice to win the conference. Kevin Durant won his third straight scoring title (28.0 ppg) and has his best chance to win the MVP award. Russell Westbrook is coming off an All-NBA caliber season and James Harden is a lock to win the Sixth Man Award. Harden is ready for the playoffs after suffering a concussion at the hands of Metta World Peace last Sunday. After those three, who accounted for 67% of the team’s points, the Thunder has few scoring options. Ex-Laker Derek Fisher provided little (4.9 ppg) in 20 games. But Oklahoma City has one of the best interior defenses in the NBA, with veteran big men Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka, the NBA’s top shot blocker (3.65 per game). Coming off their championship season, the Mavs (36-30) have struggled, especially on the road (13-20), without Tyson Chandler, J.J. Barea and DeShawn Stevenson. They got nothing out of Lamar Odom before releasing him. This is a transition season for owner Mark Cuban until he can restock his team, starting this summer with a move for free agent and Dallas-area product Deron Williams.
Prediction: Oklahoma City in five
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