While the WC playoffs might have individual threads, my guess is that until the EC finals, it might be better to keep all the EC playoff series in one thread...certainly it's a free country if the others want to make individual threads.



Does anyone see anybody besides the Bulls and Heat in the EC finals?


Round 1
Bulls over Sixers in 5
Miami over the Knicks in 6
Pacers over the disappearing Magic in 4
and in the best series of round 1, Atlanta over Boston in 7.


I think a Pacer sweep over the Magic combined with of longer Knicks/Heat (if the Knicks can do something) could be problematic for Miami in conference semifinals.

Also, I think that Hawks - Celtics will be an outstanding, hard fought series that will work to Chicago's advantage in the next round.

Hawks and Pacers are overlooked and while I expect Miami-Bulls, the conference semi's will be very good (and a Boston-Chicago matchup would be great, as well).

I like your picks. The Pacer/Magic requires not time or attention. The Pacers/knicks match-up would have been brilliant.

I'll take the Celtics over the Hawks in 6 since I don't think Atlanta can win in Boston and their own fans barely give them any support. Furthermore, with Horford out, they can't exploit their one innate advantage over the Celtics.

Give me the Bulls over the 76ers in 5. I think the Bulls lose game one at home and the media will go crazy. Stephen A Smith go crazy at the media for going crazy. But in the end all is well for Chicago.

The Knicks are playing well right now and the Garden is just STARVED for playoff basketball. I think the Heat have to win in either 5 or 7. Because the Knicks aren't losing game 6 at MSG. They'll be vulnerable for game 4 but might surprise the Heat on the road in game 2. I'll take the Heat the 7.

Let's talk about the next round when we get there.

quote:

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I don't think Atlanta can win in Boston

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Atlanta has HCA, regardless of the seeding.

Eastern Conference- First Round

Chicago vs. Philadelphia
Game 1 - Sat April 28, Philadelphia at Chicago, 1:00PM, TNT
Game 2 - Tue May 1, Philadelphia at Chicago, 8:00PM, TNT
Game 3 - Fri May 4, Chicago at Philadelphia, 8:00PM, ESPN
Game 4 - Sun May 6, Chicago at Philadelphia, 1:00PM, ABC
Game 5 * Tue May 8, Philadelphia at Chicago, TBD
Game 6 * Thu May 10, Chicago at Philadelphia, TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 12, Philadelphia at Chicago, TBD, TNT

Miami vs. New York
Game 1 - Sat April 28, New York at Miami, 3:30PM, ABC/R
Game 2 - Mon April 30, New York at Miami, 7:00PM, TNT
Game 3 - Thu May 3, Miami at New York, 7:00PM, TNT
Game 4 - Sun May 6, Miami at New York, 3:30PM, ABC/R
Game 5 * Wed May 9, New York at Miami, TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 11, Miami at New York, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 13, New York at Miami, TBD


Indiana vs. Orlando
Game 1 - Sat April 28, Orlando at Indiana, 7:00PM, ESPN
Game 2 - Mon April 30, Orlando at Indiana, 7:30PM, NBA TV
Game 3 - Wed May 2, Indiana at Orlando, 7:30PM, NBA TV
Game 4 - Sat May 5, Indiana at Orlando, 2:00PM, ESPN
Game 5 * Tue May 8, Orlando at Indiana, TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 11, Indiana at Orlando, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 13, Orlando at Indiana, TBD


Boston vs. Atlanta
Game 1 - Sun April 29, Boston at Atlanta, 7:00PM, TNT
Game 2 - Tue May 1, Boston at Atlanta, 7:30PM, NBA TV
Game 3 - Fri May 4, Atlanta at Boston, 7:30PM, ESPN2
Game 4 - Sun May 6, Atlanta at Boston, 7:00PM, TNT
Game 5 * Tue May 8, Boston at Atlanta, TBD
Game 6 * Thu May 10, Atlanta at Boston, TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 12, Boston at Atlanta, TBD, TNT

Round 1:
Bulls in 4
Heat in 7 (great drama; at least 3 suspensions; at least 1 incredible MSG finish)
Pacers in 7 (all games on NBAtv)
Celtics in 5 (go away ATL)

Round 2:
Bulls in 6
Heat in 4

Round 3:
Heat in 6

Bulls over Heat in 7

EC playoffs kick things off today with 3 games today.

FYI. Bulls start at noon today on TNT.

Let the running of the Bulls commence. 

Derrick Rose just went down with an injury.

Up 12 with just over a minute to go.

[This message has been edited by Iowaggie (edited 4/28/2012 2:38p).]

Uh oh

I'm going to be sick.

Bulls take game 1, but my first impression of that injury is that Rose is not only out for the rest of the playoffs, but possibly the early part of next season.





Which means he'll probably be back next game.

What happened? Is the guy made of glass? Honest to God.

From a Chicago sports guy: Looks like the concern is ACL, based on the field-tests done by trainers. Been there, and you know it when it happens.

Jesus

****, who will beat the Heat now.

bummer

Honestly hope the guy comes back. Never like to see star guys go down in the playoffs.

So, looks like Simpletons CotY pulled a stupid move...

From Rachel Nichols: Several reports saying Bulls Derrick Rose has torn ACL/MCL in left knee, will miss rest of playoffs. Team not confirmed yet...but not good

T&Ps to Bulls fans.

Heat-Celtics ECF.

Everyone's brackets pretty much just went to ****.

[This message has been edited by sharkenleo (edited 4/28/2012 4:45p).]

Watched the game with about 2 minutes left and the Bulls up by 14 and was wondering why Rose was still in the game with the game seemingly in hand. And we all know what happened.

Being plagued by injuries all year and Thibodeaux thought it was a good idea to keep Rose on the floor. CJ Watson and John Lucas played well in Rose's absence during the regular season so no reason to think with them on the floor that the Bulls would lose the lead.

Bad move.

quote:

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TNT courtside camera picked up Derrick Rose telling Bulls trainer, "I felt something pop." Otherwise, still awaiting medical report at UC.

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When I tore my ACL, I felt a pop. But then again, he was able to put some weight on his leg when he was walking to the lockerroom.

So who knows.

Rose tore his ACL per espn at the draft

Bulls just officially announced on twitter that Rose is out with a torn ACL.

They might as well just cancel the rest of the East playoffs and let the Celtics and Heat duke it out in a 21 game series.

The Eastern conference just got a lot more boring.

damn that sucks. one of the most exciting players in the league will not be playing in the playoffs.

Sucks for the Bulls and their fans. Wish D-Rose a speedy recovery--that looked painful as hell.

The Hawks can take down the Celtics.

And that Pacers-Heat series will be very interesting.

The only way the Heat-Pacers would be interesting is if Wade tears his ACL too.

Danny Granger can't take big Baby off the dribble. Called for traveling.

Indiana cant close at home