(1) Chicago vs. (8) Indiana

Next time, don't jump Goran!

Season series: Chicago 3-1

Ed: This series has MVP written all over it. And by MVP I mean Derrick Rose. Darren Collison is a nice young guard for the Pacers, but I wouldn’t count on him to guard Rose if they were playing in a phone booth. The Indiana trio of Roy Hibbert, Tyler Hansbrough, and Josh McRoberts might actually hold their own against a very good Chicago frontline, but in the end it won’t be nearly enough. Luol Deng will make life tough for Danny Granger, and Rose will get absolutely whatever he wants on the offensive end. As a side-note, it’s slightly pathetic that the Pacers are 7 games under .500 and in the playoffs. But that’s for another day. Bulls in 5.

Chris: I am not going to sit here and lie to you.  I was not a believer in the Chicago Bulls before this season started.  Don’t get me wrong; I was certain they were on the right path having hired Tom Thibodeau, who had a great deal to do with Boston’s defensive success in recent years.  But I envisioned perhaps a 4^th seed at the best.  That being said, kudos to the Bulls for proving me wrong!  This is the easiest pick in the first round.  Not to knock the Pacers who have overachieved all year but they do not have the defensive fortitude to win the series.  I do, however, think it is perfectly feasible that the Pacers steal a game. Danny Granger is a potent offensive player and you can never count a team that has so many GREAT ACC white forwards (Mike Dunleavy Jr., Josh McRoberts, and Tyler Hansbrough).  Bulls in 5.

Sam: It is going to be extremely difficult for Darren Collison to matchup with Derrick Rose. Everything revolves around Rose on offense for Chicago and he will be the MVP of the league for a reason- he is a dynamic scorer who can get to the rim at will and his shooting and distributing have improved dramatically this year. However, Rose alone cannot carry this Bulls team to a championship. Their defense has carried them all season and they are led by a proven winner in Tom Thibodeau, the man behind Boston’s vaunted defense during their 2008 championship run. Indiana isn’t exactly on fire going into the playoffs with just 5 wins in their last 10 and they just do not have enough weapons to challenge the Bulls in this series. Chicago in 5.