One of the most pleasant surprises of the NBA season has been the Chicago Bulls, we all thought they would be good, few thought they would be elite. Here they are, the number one seed in the league and their star Derrick Rose will be named the MVP in no time, but is there a chance for a letdown round one?
Probably not, the advantage of being the top seeded team in the East is that you get to play a team who finished eight games under.500, the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers are no push over though, with a young nucleus of Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert and Darren Collison the Pacers have won key games against the Lakers, Heat and their playoff opponent the Bulls. The Bulls won the season series 3-1.
X Factor: Luol Deng
We all know about Rose, Boozer and Noah but perhaps the second best player on this year’s Bulls has been Deng. Deng has provided some scoring punch for Chicago and been a strong defender for Tom Thibodeau.
The Bulls will make this series a short chapter in their playoff run if Deng plays to his potential against Indiana. Deng will likely be matched up with Pacers scorer Danny Granger, if Deng can just contain Granger the Bulls will advance easily.
Prediction: Bulls sweep
The Bulls come into the playoffs as the league’s hottest team and a team who essentially made the playoffs by default is not going to dowse that flame.
Expect a huge series from Rose as he continues to build upon his status as one of the league’s elite players. The Pacers have no real advantages across the board making the thought of them winning even one game unimaginable.
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