NBA: Two Big Days in Eastern Conference Action

Three of the Eastern Conference’s four playoff series stand at 2-0 but Al Dannity says the next set of games could have implications deep into the post-season.

Heat and Bulls can build momentum
What if the process was real? That’s the question fans of the 15 teams not called the Miami Heat are asking themselves right now. Whenever the Heat faltered during the regular season, Erik Spoelstra’s response focussed on the process of Miami developing as a team. Time and again he used the word process. It seemed like a way of blankly answering questions. Look however at what’s happened in the last few weeks. Miami ended the season on fire. Then the Heat burned through the 76ers in Game 2, with LeBron looking at his hungriest since his one-man show in Game 5 against the Pistons back in 2007. The sweep looks all but a certainty in this series.

Chicago moved to 2-0 in their series with the Pacers but they needed big efforts in both those games to beat the #8 seed. After relying on Derrick Rose to single-handedly dominate those opening match-ups, the time has come for the rest of these Bulls to step up. I like their chances of making it 3-0 tonight.

Celtics need to make it 3-0
Boston possess a veteran roster. In the NBA veteran means experienced but it also means old. The Celtics fit both descriptions. The last thing Boston needs ahead of a likely tilt with the Heat is a prolonged series with the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony’s super-human performance couldn’t drag New York’s scrubs to a road victory in Game 2 but it may have inspired the Knicks’ faithful. With the series moving to Madison Square Garden on Friday, it’s vital for Boston to record a road win to kill off any hope within the New York locker room. The Celtics are the big dogs in this battle. This could be the last shot at a title for the current crop, there’s no point blowing it by taking forever to get out of the first round.

Magic must break Hawks
The greatest defensive force in the NBA had a big night on the scoreboard in Game 2 of Orlando’s series with Atlanta. Dwight Howard stood tall with 33 points and 19 boards, including 8 offensive rebounds. Superman will need to deliver at least one more such performance as the series moves to Atlanta. The Hawks’ win in Game 1 meant they now hold the home court advantage but one Magic victory on the road would flip that edge back to Orlando. With Howard’s very presence in Orlando potentially at stake, Game 3 could have a massive impact on the Magic’s future.