Quarter-season projections: Match-up shots for the first-round of the Eastern Conference NBA playoffs if the season ended today.

By Mike Corasaniti

New York (14-4) v. Indiana (10-10)

Does anyone think they’re ready for this rivalry to enter into it’s post-Reggie Miller chapter? Indiana would fire out of the gate, especially with the return of some formerly absent stars, going up on the Knicks in similar fashion as they did against Miami last spring. In similar fashion though, New York’s offensive prowess begins to step back in and win it in six.

Miami (12-5) v. Boston (10-9)

It’s hard to deny, with the way that both teams are playing right now, that this being one of the most overly hyped first round match-ups would end in disappointment for the fans. Expect a fight from Boston right from the gate, possibly sending it back home to Boston tied up. Expect at least one press conference where Kevin Garnett says something absolutely foolish in regards to scorned teammate Ray Allen. But also expect Miami to wrap things up in five games, with a lot less effort than people might think.

Atlanta (11-5) v. Philadelphia (11-8)

The successful Andrew Bynum Era in Philly is still a long time coming, and a deep postseason run for the Hawks is still long overdue. Don’t expect the latter to come to fruition just yet (damn you Miami!), but don’t expect Philly to make too much noise, going down in an unimpressive five.

Brooklyn (11-7) v. Chicago (10-8)

The fanboy in everyone has got to come out in this one. New school hype vs. new era dominance could make this series a really entertaining sight for basketball fans. With a healthy Derrick Rose in the lineup, it would be extremely difficult to expect Brooklyn’s first playoff victory. But they’re current success is also much unexpected as well. Seven game toss-up.

By Michael Lepoutre

There was a time when Rajon Rondo was a footnote.

Think back to 2008, the first year of the first “Big 3” experiment that showcased the Celtics as a team with 3 viable scoring options in Pierce, Allen, and Garnett. Some saw Rondo as a fourth scoring option, but his inconsistent shooting and sometimes-questionable decision-making put some justified doubts in peoples’ minds. Defenders readily gave him space around the 3-point line and some were even content to leave him open from as close as 16 feet.  

Rondo averaged 10.6 PPG, a respectable amount considering the variety of scorers on the Celtics roster. The point guard however struggled to distribute the ball, averaging just 5.1 assists throughout the year. The sophomore point guard was rarely worried about when Pierce, Allen, and Garnett made up the majority of opponent’s game plans. 

My how things have changed. 

More than anyone else over the past three seasons, Rajon Rondo has elevated his play since the Celtics’ 2008 championship run and thus has them one game away from another shot at a title. 

He’s smart, using what frame he has to disallow post-position. He’s tricky, allowing players into the lane only to back check for the ball, collect the steal, and lead the fast break for the easy bucket. And he distributes, getting Bass, Pietrus, Bradley and everyone else involved when it matters the most (such as when Ray Allen went down on ankle injury). And although he might not have the size of some of the 3’s and 4’s out there, he is a pesky defender and really makes the opponent work their shots and position on the floor; he’s one of the few players in the league that is willing to guard any player on the opposing team.

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers even recently went as far as to say, “Rondo is the smartest player I’ve every coached.”

The Celtics success this season is largely in part of Rondo. Want some stats to prove it? During the past regular season this year, the tricky floor general averaged a double-double with 11.9 PPG and 11.7 APG and led the league in assists (203), steals (41), and triple doubles (6). Such play has earned him a spot at the table with the Big 3, and perhaps even the right to shuffle the seating as well.

But perhaps Rondo’s greatest contributions have come during the playoffs. The guard is averaging 16.8 PPG, good enough for third best on the roster behind Garnett and Pierce. He’s played some outstanding games, including that monstrous 44-point effort in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals to go along with his playoff leading 3 triple-doubles. And when the Celtics lost Paul Pierce before the beginning of OT in Game 2, Rondo took over, scoring all 12 of the Celtics points in extra time on 4-5 shooting; production that Heat fans are desperate for from their stars after falling behind 3-2 in the series.  

Over the past few years, Rondo has transitioned from a formidable defender that deferred to the Big 3 into one of the most decisive and dangerous guards in the league. If the Celtics get past the Heat, first praise goes to Rondo and Rondo only. Without him, the Celtics championship window would certainly have closed already.

By Mike Corasaniti

With tip-off for Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals just minutes away, Season's Over is taking a look at the four possible NBA Finals match-ups. Both series are tied at two apiece, so it's anyone's game right? Let's take a look:

Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

It's hard to imagine the Heat not making their second-straight Finals appearance, but with the way the C's have been playing in Games 3 and 4 (and 2 for that matter), it's not too hard to fathom. This match-up would be cool (just think of the Kendrick Perkins homecoming stories) and an interesting one with the whole old vs. new aspect. And who doesn't want to see two of the league's best PGs in Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo go at it? This match-up could be a lot of fun. Prediction – The series depends mostly on Rondo's impact. He's been the MVP of these playoffs so far, but how long it will last has been questioned at every step of the way (and it's not stopping anytime soon). But more than likely, the Thunder prove that they have finally become the team that they have been trying to be for four years now and dominate the series en route to their first championship since the move from Seattle. Thunder 4-1


Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs

This nightmare has had to formulate in the dreams of LeBron James before, right? The man that stood in the way of his first NBA Finals run (Tim Duncan) is now once again the main reason why the Heat could go home empty-handed. At this point in time, neither the Heat nor Spurs are looking like the best they have been all season. And unless the leaders from both sides start to step up, this could quite possibly be the least possibly scenario for the championship. Prediction – So let's say the world isn't really ending and both Miami and San Antonio find their mojo to win their respective conference finals. Do we go with the League of Extraordinary Veterans who have time and time again shut teams down with their unselfish play? Or do we go with the hungry, hungry Heat who, most likely revitalized with the return of Chris Bosh. My instincts want me to say the Spurs, because they never seem to want to go away. But something deeper inside of me feels like hell is about to freeze over, LeBron is about to hit a couple clutch fourth quarter shots, and the Big 3 laugh all the way back to South Beach. Heat 4-3


Boston Celtics vs. San Antonio Spurs

After how many years, how is it possible that only just now are Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan meeting this deep in the playoffs? But as awesome as it sounds, the frontcourt won't be where this Finals match-up is decided. Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo are itching to show again and prove to the league and it's fans that they can be the best players on their team when it matters the most. And who ever comes closest to doing so will decide the fate of the series if these two teams meet. Prediction – Part of me feels bad for not going the way of the Celtics, a team that with the first real "Big 3" of the 2000s should be a team with multiple championships to their name. But the Spurs have done this just one too many times before, and whether Duncan, Parker, Manu Ginobli, or Matt Bonner emerges the hero, this match-up has San Antonio written over it all the way. Spurs 4-2

Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Am I the only one that is dying to see this? It's Durant vs. LeBron. OKC vs. South Beach. Hell it's Serge Ibaka vs. Udonis Haslem. Almost everything about this series just seems, I don't know, exciting. Because if this match-up came to be, it's the hardest one for me to predict an outcome. Teams would go back and forth with streaks; maybe Nick Collison explodes for 25 in Game 2, maybe Chris Bosh comes back from injury for a monster series tying Game 4 in Miami, who knows? The story-lines would be never-ending. The thought of turning on the TV to see either a Blue-out or White-out every not is just way too cool for me. But when it comes down to the games, which superstar (James or KD) will come away with their first ring? Prediction – It's a barnburner. If I was ever to bet my life on a series going seven games it would be this one. Durant goes crazy in Game 1, sending the media into a fenzy about the game's new King. But the Heat take the next two. And the Thunder take the next two. And after Wade wins game six on a pull-up jumper with 1.3 seconds left, it could go either way in the finale. Too close to call