April 17--No. 1 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 8 Brooklyn Nets. The Hawks swept the four-game season series by an average of 17.2 points and averaged more than 13 made 3-pointers. There eventually will be more questions about whether the Hawks have enough size and star power to make a long playoff run, and those issues will allow the Nets to win one game in this series. But the Hawks have too much shooting and defense overall. Prediction: Hawks in five.
No. 2 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 7 Boston Celtics. The Celtics tied the Cavs for the conference lead with 24 victories since Feb. 1 to turn rebuilding plans into a rivalry. But don't focus on the teams splitting four games during the season. The Cavs rested starters in both Celtics victories, and Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert were injured in one. The Celtics' rise is based on their dynamic backcourt play, but the Cavs can play small ball too and feature the best player on the planet. Prediction: Cavaliers in five.
No. 3 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 6 Milwaukee Bucks. The Bulls' main storyline all season has been health, having their starters together just 22 times for a 17-5 mark. And they're banged up again entering the playoffs, with Joakim Noah, Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson nursing various bumps and bruises and Derrick Rose sitting out the second half of the regular-season finale. Rose didn't play in two of the four meetings, all of which were decided by 12 points or fewer. The Bulls won three of four. The Bucks' ability to switch everything defensively will wreak havoc for one victory. Prediction: Bulls in five.
No. 4 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 5 Washington Wizards. Despite the Raptors sweeping the three-game season series, this is a delicious matchup with two dynamic backcourts. The Raptors have plenty of 3-point shooting, which they'll need to pull the Wizards' more physical frontcourt away from the basket. The Raptors also have a bench edge, centered on Sixth Man of the Year candidate Lou Williams. Prediction: Raptors in seven.
