The time that players and fans alike salivate for all year is finally here. After 80-plus games, and plenty of high jinks and untold drama, the league is gearing up for the 2013 NBA Playoffs. Given the stakes and intensity involved, it often feels like a whole different season rears up its head come playoff time. A season 2.0, if you will.
To help you navigate through the first-round scenarios, SJN will be breaking down all of the matchups for you―offering lineups, schedules, and predictions.
Eastern Conference:
Chicago Bulls (5) vs. Brooklyn Nets (4)
Schedule:
Game 1 – Sat April 20, Chicago at Brooklyn, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 – Mon April 22, Chicago at Brooklyn, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 – Thu April 25, Brooklyn at Chicago, 8:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 4 – Sat April 27, Brooklyn at Chicago, 2 p.m., TNT
Game 5 – Mon April 29, Chicago at Brooklyn, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
Game 6 – Thu May 2, Brooklyn at Chicago, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
Game 7 – Sat May 4, Chicago at Brooklyn, TBD, TNT (if necessary)
This series will play out a lot like the Memphis-Clippers one out west. It will be a slow, full-bodied, grinding affair that might certainly go to seven games. Both teams have capable point guards, wing players and bigs, as well as a variety of niche weapons on the bench. If this was a healthy Chicago team, there would be almost no question that the Bulls would move on to the second round, but that’s certainly not the case.
Joakim Noah, one of the Bulls’ most coveted weapons, is still recovering from a foot injury. Given his comments and frustration, it seems that he might miss a good chunk of the series. His absence will be a major blow as the Nets have Brook Lopez, who has steadily improved his offensive game. In four games against the Bulls this year, Lopez posted 22.0 PPG (on 52.9 % shooting), 5.5 RBG, and 2.0 BLKPG. Nazr Mohammed will have his sometimes-capable hands full.
Carlos Boozer has played well in three games against Brooklyn this season. He’s averaged 21.3 points and 10.7 rebounds, and has had a very strong year. Though he’s come up short in past playoffs, I expect he’ll redeem himself this year. Having Reggie Evans guarding him should only prop up his game.
With Joakim Noah out, a lot of the defensive responsibility will fall on the forever-ready shoulders of Taj Gibson. Brooklyn has been playing good drive-and-kick play as of late, and Gibson, being a good help defender, will have to be on his toes as a result. The Bulls generally do a very good job of driving shooters off the three-point line, and it’s not like the Nets have any lethal shooters.
Deron Williams will be a major threat to the Bulls as he’s been playing very good basketball lately. He posted 30 points and 11 assists the last time the two teams met. As a big, and a good ball handler, he’s going to be a tough assignment for Kirk Hinrich who can play some pesky and solid defense. Just look at how he deals with a charging train. But even when Williams is playing All-Star ball, the Bulls have been able to pull out a win.
Though the Bulls are in a constant state of hurt, they’ve secured some big wins against the BK, one of which was at the Barclays Center. Really, the Bulls have never played the Nets at full strength yet proved to be the superior team. This series will be no different.
Outcome:
Chicago Bulls 4-3 Brooklyn Nets
