NBA Playoffs 2013: Schedule and Predictions

Deron Williams and Nate Robinson

Brooklyn Nets (4) vs. Chicago Bulls (5). 

Game 1 – Sat April 20, Chicago at Brooklyn, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 – Mon April 22, Chicago at Brooklyn, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 – Thu April 25, Brooklyn at Chicago, 8:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 4 – Sat April 27, Brooklyn at Chicago, 2 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Mon April 29, Chicago at Brooklyn, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu May 2, Brooklyn at Chicago, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 4, Chicago at Brooklyn, TBD, TNT

I wrote extensively about this series earlier, so I will go into less detail here. The key to this series will be if Chicago can get healthy. Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Taj Gibson all do not look 100% right now. If Chicago had been healthy the whole season, I would expect them to compete with Miami for the best record in the eastern conference and they would probably be a better team than the Nets. However, the Nets are playing their best basketball of the season right now and are still riding the wave of the move to Brooklyn. They will be ready for this series.

Player to watch: Derrick Rose

This one’s pretty easy. If Rose comes back and plays like the MVP he was 2 years ago, the Bulls should win the series easily. However, if he does not, this will be an ugly, close series with the Nets probably being the favorites.

Prediction: Brooklyn wins 4-2. 

Most of the games will be close because Chicago never gives up and the Nets are very talented and are playing well right now. It won’t be easy, but the Nets will win this series.