As the NBA playoffs draw near, we give a team-by-team guide to this year's Eastern Conference as the Miami Heat set out to retain their NBA crown.
Indiana Pacers
Championships: 3 (ABA)
Strength: The Pacers use their size and length on the defensive end to hold opponents to a measly 92.3 points per game, the second best mark in the NBA.
Weakness: Recent struggles can be attributed to their lack of synergy on offence with the chemistry of their starting line-up nowhere to be found.
X-factor: Roy Hibbert (above) – If Indiana are to finally clear the hurdle that is the Miami Heat, they need Hibbert to be a force in the paint and use his size advantage. Hibbert will be have to be a presence both offensively and defensively.
Prediction: The Pacers thought this was the year where they finally make the leap and dethrone the Heat. Unfortunately for them, they’ve shown they aren’t ready to claim the top spot just yet.
Miami Heat
Championships: 3
Playoff appearances: 18
Head coach: Erik Spoelstra (Two championships)
Star man: LeBron James
Strength: Other than having the best player on the planet in James, the Heat have something that can never be understated after playing in three straight Finals: experience.
Weakness: Miami are always susceptible against teams like the Pacers in the playoffs due to their lack of size, which particularly hurts them on rebounds.
X-factor: Dwyane Wade (pictured)– Miami will only go as far as Wade’s health allows them to go and his durability has been a lingering question for two seasons now.
Prediction: It’s silly to bet against James after the last two years but it’s considerably harder to win three-straight titles, especially when the Western Conference is as loaded with so much quality.
Toronto Raptors
Championships: 0
Playoff appearances: 6
Head coach: Dwane Casey
Star man: Kyle Lowry
Strength: Though they rank 13th in scoring, where Toronto excel is outside shooting and getting to the free throw line, often a formula for success in the playoffs.
Weakness: This post-season will be the first for many of the key players on Toronto’s roster. Could prove decisive in later rounds.
X-factor: Terrence Ross (pictured) – Capable of red-hot nights shooting from the outside, which can change games.
Prediction: The Raptors may be the No3 seed and have home court advantage, but they’ll be outmatched by the more experienced Brooklyn Nets in what should be a long series.
Chicago Bulls
Championships: 6
Playoff appearances: 33
Head coach: Tom Thibodeau
Star man: Joakim Noah
Strength: The only team stingier than the Pacers on defence, allowing a league-best 91.8 points per game.
Weakness: Despite ranking 10th in the league in assists, the Bulls are last in scoring, making for extremes on either end of the floor. It’s difficult to see them beating the better teams over a long series.
X-factor: DJ Augustin (above centre) – He leads the current Bulls players in scoring with 14.9 ppg (with Derrick Rose injured and Luol Deng traded to Cleveland) and while it’s unfair to ask much more of Augustin than he’s already given, Chicago will need it.
Prediction: The Bulls’ hard-nosed defense and constant effort will win them a series but their lack of firepower on offence will get the better of them in round two.
Washington Wizards
Championships: 1
Playoff appearances: 26
Head coach: Randy Wittman
Star man: John Wall
Strength: Balance. The Wizards have five players who average 13 points or more, led by the dynamic guard duo of Wall and Bradley Beal.
Weakness: Not only do the Wizards shoot poorly at the line at 73 per cent, but they also fail to get there often as they’re tied for the fifth worst free throw attempt rate in the league. In play-off games small margins are crucial.
X-factor: Nene Hilario (above) is just returning from a knee injury but is one of the Wizards best options for scoring in the post and will be needed to provide offence.
Prediction: Washington have taken a big step forward this season and getting back in the playoffs is a start but Chicago are too well coached and have home court advantage.
Brooklyn Nets
Championships: 2 (ABA)
Playoff appearances: 25
Head coach: Jason Kidd
Star man: Joe Johnson
Strength: This Nets roster was constructed as a star-heavy team and many of those players have a knack for stepping up when it matters most. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett have an abundance of playoff knowhow that could prove invaluable.
Weakness: Brooklyn are noticeably worse away from home where they had the second-worst road record of any team in the playoffs (16-25).
X-factor: Deron Williams (pictured above) – Is still trying to justify his status as an elite point guard and has struggled this season, despite the many player additions around him ownership overpaid for, but remains a class act on his day.
Prediction: Perhaps the biggest dark horse in the East, the Nets have the experience and star power, even if it’s an aging one, to upset Toronto.
Charlotte Bobcats
Championships: 0
Play-off appearances: 2
Head coach: Steve Clifford
Star man: Al Jefferson
Strength: The best in the league at taking care of the ball with only 12.4 turnovers per game, preventing easy points for opposing teams.
Weakness: Despite Jefferson’s presence in the post, outside shooting is nearly non-existent with the Bobcats making only 6.3 3-pointers per game.
X-factor: Gary Neal (above, right)– Acquired for his shooting and instant offence off the bench, which he showcased in the Finals last year.
Prediction: The lack of turnovers and strong defence gives the Bobcats a chance to make some noise but in a series against the Pacers or Heat, it will be limited to just noise.
Atlanta Hawks
Championships: 1
Playoff appearances: 42
Head coach: Mike Budenholzer
Star man: Paul Millsap
Strength: An unselfish offence, showcased by the fact Atlanta rank second in the league in assists per game and first in assist percentage.
Weakness: The Hawks have used more small-ball lineups without the injured Al Horford and as a result are 28th in the league in rebounds per game at 40.1.
X-factor: Louis Williams (pictured, in red) – The dynamic guard is always a threat to put up points off the bench, providing his regains some form after a quiet few weeks in April so far.
Prediction: Earning the last play-off spot is bittersweet for Atlanta, who reach the post-season for the seventh- straight year but are also likely to have the honour of being knocked out by the top seed with Indiana too strong for them.
