1. Indiana Pacers vs. 8. Boston Celtics—The Pacers swept this best of seven series 4-0, and there are several reasons why. The Celtics made the playoffs with a pathetic record, 36-46, while the Pacers boasted the NBA’s best record at 61-21.
The Celtics did not put up much fight in any of these games. Their inability to score or play defense was on full display, while Indiana’s talent and discipline showed why they garner the league’s top mark. Even after sweeping Boston in convincing fashion, the jury is still out on the Pacers.
Indiana won 61 games, most of those in the weak and bleak Eastern Conference. The Pacers will not truly be tested until the Eastern Conference Finals where they will surely face either New Jersey or Detroit, the only other two respectable teams in the East.
2. New Jersey Nets vs. 7. New York Knicks—After a 4-0 thrashing of the Knicks, the New Jersey Nets not only advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but also established their dominance as the New York metropolitan area’s most dominant team. The Nets seem to be returning to the style of play that has gotten them to the NBA Finals the last two seasons.
Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson were flawless in transition, while bad boy forward Kenyon Martin dominated a weak New York front court. But don’t pencil in the Nets to make a third straight trip to the NBA Finals quite yet. The Nets were untested in this series by a sub-.500 Knicks squad and will not truly be tested until they take on the Pistons in the second round. However, with their playoff experience and athleticism, it would be no surprise to see New Jersey back in the Finals for another loss to whoever comes out of the West.
3. Detroit Pistons vs. 6. Milwaukee Bucks—When the Bucks stole game two in Detroit and became the first and only lower seeded team to win on the road in the first round, this series had all the makings of an upset. However, the Pistons quickly put those thoughts to rest as they took games three and four in Milwaukee from the home team, taking a 3-1 series lead.
The Pistons have looked deadly in these match ups combining their tough, in-your-face defense with an efficient offensive attack. The Pistons, although less talented than the Nets and Pacers, may have the best chance to knock off the Western Conference champions should they reach the finals. The Pistons’ tough, scrappy play could really hamper the finesse style of play most teams in the West execute.
The Bucks have little chance to come back in the best of seven series, as they need to win three straight—including two on the road—in order to pull off the upset. Game five will be played Thursday night at 8 pm in Detroit as the Pistons look to close out the series.
4. Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Hornets—The young Heat have been nothing but impressive the entire second half of the season. Miami rallied from near the cellar of the Eastern Conference to the conference’s fourth best record, and their role did not end in the regular season. This series has probably been the closest series in the NBA playoffs.
The Heat won game one on a Dwayne Wade buzzer beater in Miami, while New Orleans eked out a must-win in game three at home. The series currently stands at 2-2 with the series heading back to Miami for game five.
Both of these teams are dangerous for the Pacers in the second round. New Orleans certainly has a group of proven playoff contenders in Baron Davis, David Wesley, and Jamal Mashburn—if he is healthy—while the Heat, led by veteran Eddie Jones, are full of young talented players who are playing with enthusiasm and confidence under their new coach, Stan Van Gundy. However, before these teams can look ahead to Indiana, they must focus on surviving the always difficult, but exciting 4-5 match up.
