2007 NBA East Playoff Matchups
Lebron James and Cavs ward off the Bulls for second seed
A breakdown and predictions of the 2007 Eastern Conference NBA Playoffs.
The playoff race between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls meant either playing the ailing Washington Wizards, who will be without stars Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler, or playing the defending champions Miami Heat, who are getting healthier by the day.
With the new playoff seeding system in place this year, division winners are only guaranteed a fourth seed at worst, as opposed to last year when they were guaranteed a top three seed. The difference this season is that if the team with the best record that is not a division winner has a better record than one or more division winners, that team gets a higher seeding. It was for this reason that this particular playoff race was especially intriguing.
The Detroit Pistons had locked up the Central Division in the East, with a 53-29 record. Cleveland and Chicago, also in the Central Division, had the second and third best records in the East. That meant that whichever of the two teams finished the season with a better record would be rewarded with a second seed and would be pitted against the seventh seed team, while the other had to settle for the fifth seed and play against the fourth seed team. With so much on the line, the Cavs defeated the Milwaukee Bucks on the final day 109-96, while the Bulls lost to the New Jersey Nets 106-97, partly thanks to a near triple-double by both Vince Carter and Jason Kidd.
Here's a breakdown of the Eastern Conference Playoff Matchups:
(1) Detroit Pistons vs (8) Orlando Magic
It was a great feat for the Orlando Magic to even get to this point. That being said, the Pistons are a far superior team at both ends of the court. Chauncey Billups has a great size advantage at point guard against the inconsistent Jameer Nelson and the Pistons' depth and versatility should wear down and frustrate the young Magic.
Though Orlando might steal a game if they play motivated, the Pistons should make short work of them.
Prediction: Pistons sweep.
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (7) Washington Wizards
This won't be as thrilling as their meeting last year in the playoffs, when Lebron James hit two game winners to edge by Washington. Gilbert Arenas is out the entire playoffs with injury and Caron Butler is out for at least the first round. That does not bode well for the Wizards, who will have to rely heavily on their third star, Antawn Jamison, as well as their bench. The Cavs are not good enough to be a contender and may not even be a playoff team if not for James, but they won't have much difficulties with Washington's ailing lineup.
Prediction: Cavs in five.
(3) Toronto Raptors vs (6) New Jersey Nets
Vince Carter probably won't feel much of a warm welcome back throughout this series, but the Nets back court of Carter and Jason Kidd will have to play their best to get past the Raptors. Chris Bosh won't face a lot of competition down low and the Nets lack of depth will hurt them. Still, Kidd knows how to run a team, and even though TJ Ford will try to run him into the ground, Kidd is good to lead the Nets to at least two victories in this series. If the rest of the Nets team step things up, the series could get very interesting.
Prediction: Raptors in six.
(4) Miami Heat vs (5) Chicago Bulls
The big question is whether the Miami Heat have enough fight left in them to compete in the playoffs, or will their old age and recent injuries take their toll. The Bulls have the superior perimeter play, especially with Dwayne Wade not at 100%. Alonzo Mourning's defense will be key, as will Shaq's contributions at the offensive end, but the Heat don't come close to resembling the same team they were a year ago.
Still, they are a veteran team with a lot of playoff experience and Wade showed his ability to single-handedly carry a team. This should be an interesting series.
Prediction: Bulls in seven.
Check out the Western Conference Playoff Matchups, or keep tabs on the NBA Playoffs First Round Schedules.
