The time is finally year. The 2014 NBA regular season is over. While 14 team’s seasons come to a close tonight, 16 teams will continue on in the playoffs. It’s been a year full of surprises and disappointments; a year of heartbreaking injuries and triumphant returns. Once again it has been a terrific NBA season, and it is only going to get better. While the East doesn’t have the depth or firepower of the West, it is still full of talented teams. Besides the top two seeds of Miami and Indiana, there are other teams hoping to make a run. With the playoff bracket now set it is time to take a look at each first round matchup.

1) Indiana Pacers vs 8) Atlanta Hawks 

After a strong start to the season, the Hawks have had to limp and crawl into the playoffs. Injuries and inconsistencies have crippled the once promising Hawks. Once star center Al Horford went down with a season ending injury, the wheels really started to fall off. The Hawks have very little front court depth and lack an elite wing scorer. Outside of Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague the Hawks have very little viable options. While the Hawks have been playing well lately, they are certainly the underdogs in this matchup.

The Pacers have had their own fair share of troubles, most notably so the regression of center Roy Hibbert. Since the All-Star break, Hibbert has been averaging nine points and four rebounds per game while shooting a miserable 39 percent. Indiana has only won four of their last ten games and their struggles have been on the offensive end. Paul George has also had his fair share of struggles recently. The Pacers will need these two players to be at the top of their game if they hope to make a playoff run.

Even with the Pacers recent struggles and the Hawks recent success the Pacers are two talented of a team to lose this series. The lack of front court depth plays perfectly into the strengths of the Pacers and this series would be the percent chance for Hibbert to bounce back.

Prediction - Pacers win in 5 games.

2) Miami Heat vs 7) Charlotte Bobcats 

The Bobcats were one of the biggest surprises this season. After struggling for a majority of the season they really came on strong to secure the second playoff appearance in franchise history. The largest factor for the Bobcats success has been the addition of Al Jefferson. Jefferson, one of the most talented and underrated centers in the NBA, has been he for the Bobcats this season. Jefferson and Kemba Walker have formed a dangerous offensive combination and should pose a legitimate threat for the Heat.

The Heat have struggled at points this season, however; they are the reigning, two time NBA champs and are one of the top teams in the NBA. The success of the Heat will depend largely on the health of Dwyane Wade. When healthy, Wade is still one of the top shooting guards in the league and would provide a difficult matchup for the Heat. The Heat will also need their big men to play well as the Bobcats have a collection of talented big men.

This matchup may be more difficult for the Heat than most would anticipate. The Bobcats have a solid defense and one of the best low post scorers in the NBA. At the end of the day I believe LeBron James and the Heat will be too much for the overmatched Bobcats

Prediction – Heat win in six games

3) Toronto Raptors vs 6) Brooklyn Nets 

After some major additions in the offseason the Nets seemed poised to make a championship run and many people felt they were the favorites in the East. And then the Nets went 9-19 in their first twenty-eight games. Many people called the Nets too old to make a run and many people wanted Jason Kidd fired. However, due to getting healthy and the veteran presence the Nets were able to turn things around in a major way. They were able to battle all the way back and secure the six seed in the playoffs. The Nets have multiple Hall of Famers and many other talented players and are certainly capable of making a run.

The Toronto Raptors were one of the biggest surprises this season and they are a very solid team. After trading away Rudy Gay, many people believed the Raptors were preparing to tank. However, they have done just the opposite. The Raptors have been very successful and they have been led by point guard Kyle Lowry. They are a very well rounded team and have the depth to make it deep into the playoffs.

This is probably the hardest matchup to predict as both teams are fully capable of moving on. The Raptors are young and inexperienced but are extremely talented and have been on a role lately. The Nets on the other hand have been blown out in two straight games and have been unable to get on a roll recently. In the end I believe that the experience and overall talent of the Nets will be enough to beat the Raptors.

Prediction – Nets win in seven games.

4) Chicago Bulls vs 5) Washington Wizards 

After years of lottery selections and mediocrity the Wizards have finally emerged as legitimate, consistent contenders in the East. While they still might be a few years away from a potential championship team, they are very talented. The Wizards are led by a talented backcourt duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal and the pair should only continue to improve. The Wizards have plenty of depth to make a run.

The Bulls have been one of the most impressive teams in the NBA this season. After losing Derrick Rose to another season ending injury, things seemed pretty bleak for the Bulls. Then they proceeded to trade away their best offensive player in Luol Deng. It seemed obvious that the Bulls were set on tanking and preparing for next year. The players didn’t seem to get the memo as they improved greatly since the trade. Despite have few offensive weapons the Bulls have thrived on their tremendous defense. With the experience and leadership this team has, the Bulls are an excellent playoff team.

While the Wizards have one of the brightest futures of all NBA teams, they don’t have what it takes to make a playoff run. The Bulls are simply too experienced and talented. The Bulls also play their best basketball in the playoffs, making them a scary matchup for whoever may have to face them.

Prediction – Bulls win in six games.