What’s Happening in the 2010 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs?

The 2010 NBA playoffs have seen ups and downs. Here’s a quick look at everything that has happened in the Eastern Conference draw.

The Orlando Magic played the Charlotte Bobcats in what was the Bobcats’ first playoff series. I was targeting the Bobcats in this one, as they have a lot of nice players. However, the Magic went out on a mission and were never really close. The Magic swept this series with a mission to return to the Finals.

The Cleveland Cavaliers took on the Chicago Bulls in what should have been a great showdown. The Bulls made noise last year by leading the Celtics to 7 games, but this year the Cavs didn’t underestimate them. I suspect we will hear from this Bulls team for years to come.

The Celtics and Heat had the writing of a great showdown, Wade vs. the big three. Apparently, Wade is happy with his first championship ring and I don’t see him approaching an NBA Finals again, unless Heat management stir the pot this offseason. The Celtics took this in 5 games.

Surprisingly, the best matchup of this series ended up being Milwaukee Bucks vs. the Atlanta Hawks. The Bucks are a quietly dangerous team, and Brandon Jennings has a bright future in Milwaukee. This was the only series that reached 7 games and the Hawks were lucky to win, but that’s where their playoff luck would end.

In the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Magic absolutely decimated the Hawks. The Hawks were out of gas in their tank after going 7 points deep with the Bucks and were embarrassed by record-setting point margin losses. A win for the Magic.

On the other side of the bracket, the Cavs took on the Celtics. Everyone thought the Celtics were too beaten up, too old, and that Lebron was too good for the Celtics to take this one. In an outright surprise, the Celtics took this one in 6 games and possibly ended James’ reign in Cleveland.

Now the Eastern Conference finals are underway and it looks like it’s all over. The Magic managed to win last to go to five games, but it looks like the Celtics are destined to make it back to the final.