The 2012 NBA playoff bracket sets the East's No. 1 seed Chicago Bulls on a collision course with the No. 4 seed Boston Celtics in the second round.
These teams must get past their first opponents on the 2012 NBA playoff schedule first. Both will, setting up a colossal clash of NBA titans.
The Bulls should be worried without their star point guard, Derrick Rose, moving forward. Granted, they played 27 games this season without Rose's talents, but the playoffs are a different animal.
Boston will pull the upset in the last hurrah for their veteran-laden squad. This is how.
Battle of the Defenses
The Bulls rely on their team defense to win their games. They boast the No. 1 defense in the NBA. Normally, that is a recipe for success, but Boston has a defense to match their intensity.
The Celtics' No. 2 defense is an extremely reliable unit with an advantage over the Rose-less Bulls. Rose is Chicago's single go-to scorer. Without him, Rip Hamilton, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah will have to carry the Bulls offense.
Boston's experienced squad will play with extra intensity on both ends of the floor in this series. They know their window is mostly closed and will want to capitalize on this golden opportunity to knock off the East's No. 1 seed.
Weakened Chicago Morale
Bulls fans will argue that Rose's absence is easy to face because of Chicago's experience this season without him. Like I said earlier, Rose's absence in the playoffs is a different animal.
First of all, the way Rose went out was shocking. Watching him go from a 23-point performance to a season-ending knee injury is painfully sudden. It is a dagger in the hearts of fans and Bulls players alike.
Also, Rose's teammates were getting used to the idea of playing next to the 2011 NBA MVP once again. Losing Rose right after getting him back stings more than anything.
The Celtics will prey on any crack in Chicago's morale or focus. Boston will be prepared to exploit any and all weaknesses shown by the Bulls.
Chicago must pick up the pieces quickly or the NBA's best regular-season record will be all for naught.
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