2014 NBA Playoff Picks and Predictions: Eastern Conference Power Rankings

2014 NBA Playoff Picks and Predictions: Eastern Conference Power Rankings: With the 2014 NBA playoffs set to begin this weekend, it is time to size up the teams in the Eastern Conference. Sure, the seeding does that already to a degree, but the playoff seeding doesn’t always reflect how well each team is playing and how likely a particular team is to reach the finals. For example, the Brooklyn Nets are the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, but they have the third-best odds to win the conference and reach the finals. With that in mind, here is how I see all eight teams in the Eastern Conference stacking up heading into the playoffs.

1.      Miami Heat (2/3): Miami limped into the playoffs, going 11-14 down the stretch, but let’s face it. LeBron James and the Heat have been waiting for the playoffs all year, and you can bet that the two-time defending champs are going to pick up the intensity, especially on defense. Not to mention that even with Dwyane Wade in and out of the lineup, Miami still had the most-efficient offense in the NBA this year. Throw in the fact that Indiana has scuffled down the stretch even more than Miami, and the Heat are still the frontrunners to win the Eastern Conference for the fourth year in a row.

2.      Chicago Bulls (12/1): Since the All-Star break, Chicago has the best record in the Eastern Conference, and there is a reason that other teams were tanking games in order to avoid playing them in the first round. The Bulls play a rugged, physical style, and they force opponents to play their ugly brand of basketball. Sure, the Bulls’ offense averaged the fewest points per game in the entire NBA this year, but their defense also allowed the fewest points. With a fiery leader like Joakim Noah leading a bruising frontcourt, Chicago can absolutely grind out a series victory against any team.

3.      Indiana Pacers (2/1): The Pacers’ second-half swoon has been well documented, but when you look at the Eastern Conference, there still aren’t many teams that can realistically challenge them in a seven-game series. Armed with the second-stingiest defense in the NBA in terms of points allowed and top-rated field goal percentage, Indiana can win even when its offense is a mess. Roy Hibbert and Paul George ultimately need to come around, but Indiana’s defense and experience are enough to put them ahead of most in an awful Eastern Conference.

4.      Brooklyn Nets (9/1): Brooklyn has turned things around since a horrible start, and what they lack in athleticism and speed, they make up for in experience and mental toughness. Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett lead a veteran-laden group that is built for winning in the postseason when the pace slows, possessions dwindle and the pressure mounts. This team is built to play in the half court, and that is exactly what playoff basketball is about. Meanwhile, the Nets did go 4-0 against the Miami Heat this year.

5.      Toronto Raptors (20/1): While the Raptors don’t have a lot of playoff experience, they were good enough to land the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. Perhaps more importantly, the Raptors will have an enormous chip on its shoulder after several teams intentionally tanked in order to face them instead of the Bulls in the first round. An athletic backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar Derozan heads the Toronto offensive attack, and the Raptors’ team defense ranks seventh in points allowed. As far as these power rankings are concerned, I feel Toronto is the last team capable of making some noise.

6.      Washington Wizards (50/1): Washington has built itself into a playoff team around a core of young players, including guards John Wall and Bradley Beal. They also have an underrated frontcourt with Marcin Gortat and Nene manning the middle. Unfortunately, Nene isn’t at 100 percent, and this current group of players doesn’t have a lot of playoff experience. The future is actually pretty bright for Washington, but this particular team isn’t ready to make much noise in the postseason.

7.      Charlotte Bobcats (75/1): The offseason acquisition of center Al Jefferson was enough to turn Charlotte into a playoff team, but outside of Jefferson and point guard Kemba Walker, the Bobcats don’t have much firepower on offense. Granted, Charlotte does have a top-five scoring defense, but the Bobcats just don’t have enough pieces in place to cause much trouble in the playoffs, especially after drawing the Heat in the first round.

8.      Atlanta Hawks (100/1): If you need proof that the Eastern Conference is ridiculously weak, look no further than the Hawks. Atlanta had every intention of making the lottery to continue their rebuilding project, but the East was just so bad that the Hawks just went ahead and made the playoffs. That being said, don’t expect much out of a 38-44 team.

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