Pacers face Bulls in first playoff game in four years

The good news: the Indiana Pacers are back in the playoffs after a four-year absence. The bad news: they are facing the Chicago Bulls who hold the top-seed and the best record in the NBA.

The NBA playoffs tip-off Saturday with the Pacers (37-45) at the Bulls (62-20), 1 p.m. EST on ESPN.

How ironic is it that Indiana’s playoff opponent in the Bulls is the same team Jim O’Brien coached his last game against on January 29th? Just saying.

Interim head coach Frank Vogel has done a solid job in his 38 games as the top-dog, winning 20 games and leading the Pacers into the playoffs. He hasn’t quite earned the job, but certainly has earned himself consideration.

The city is rallying behind the blue and gold rightfully so. Friday there was playoff rally at Circle Centre Mall downtown Indy, with Quinn Buckner, Rik Smits, Clark Kellogg, Austin Croshere, Mayor Greg Ballard and more in attendance.

After all, this is a basketball state. With the recent struggles of IU and Pacers basketball, fans are anxious to get back to winning ways.

This series however, will be no easy task.

The Bulls go as Derrick Rose goes. The 2008 number-one draft pick has exceeded expectations and carried Chicago on his back in his three seasons.

Rose, the top MVP candidate, is averaging 25 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game. In four games against Indiana, he averaged 27 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists.

To compliment his game, the Bulls also feature Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and even Kyle Korver. This series will be very challenging for the Pacers.

As for the Pacers, Roy Hibbert will be the necessary piece for a victory. First, he must stay out of foul trouble and not be afraid to battle inside with Boozer and Noah. His tenacity is electric and contagious. He may be one of the most emotional player on the team and his teammates thrive with it.

In the end, I am picking the Bulls to win in five games. I think the Pacers will definitely get a victory at home, probably game three but Chicago is just too good. Indiana has a chance to win a second game if they can get a couple defensive stops or hit a big shot late.

This statistic is very telling. Just once in NBA history has an eight seed ever upset a one seed in a seven-game series. It happened just twice in a five-game series. Those aren’t quality odds for the Pacers.

Game two is Monday at 9:30 p.m. on TNT and then the series moves to Indianapolis. Game three is Thursday at 7 p.m. on NBATV and game four on Saturday at 2:30 in the afternoon on TNT. Unfortunately former Pacers legend and current TNT analyst Reggie Miller will NOT be on the broadcast for game two and four. Chris Weber instead, will be the color analyst.