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Heat rises in East, but Bulls won't wilt

By Jeffrey Denberg
Special to ESPNET SportsZone

The Chicago Bulls, if you will accept the analogy, have been wounded in the arena. Now we find out if anyone is good enough to plant the sword that would bring them down.

ZONE POLL

Although Dennis Rodman missed the last 13 games with a bad knee and Toni Kukoc missed 22 of the final 26 games with a foot injury, the Bulls posted the second-best record in NBA history with 69 victories, three back of the standard they set a year ago. Still, there are storm warnings.

Once able to motivate themselves no matter the circumstance, the Bulls lost three of their last four. They were pounded in Miami. A few nights later, they were hauled down from behind at home by the Knicks, coming up short of three goals: Boston's 40-1 home record; 70 victories; and another lesson in humility for the Knicks.

What does this mean? Maybe nothing. But there is a little drama this spring where there was none a year ago.

Chicago vs. Washington

FEATURED MATCHUP

Scottie Pippen vs. Juwan Howard. Pippen is quicker and can attack from the perimeter or on the drive; Howard is stronger and does his scoring inside the 3-point arc.

Until Sunday, there was one big thing missing from the Bullets' stretch playoff drive: Gheorghe Muresan. He strained his lower back and missed two games. After a 21-minute stint against Cleveland when the Bullets won their postseason spot, Big Gheorghe is good to go.

With Rodman and Kukoc out or limited, the Bullets have an advantage with their quick, powerful forward tandem of Chris Webber and Juwan Howard. Ron Harper doesn't have a prayer against Rod Strickland.

Prognosis: The Bullets will win a game and feel good about pushing the Bulls a little. Chicago advances 3-1 and rolls toward another championship series.

Miami vs. Orlando

FEATURED MATCHUP

Double Hardaway: Tim Hardaway, a terrific small point guard, vs. Penny Hardaway, a Magic Johnson-style big point.

In preparing his team for potential matchup problems against Orlando's backcourt in the first round of the playoffs, Heat coach Pat Riley tried Jamal Mashburn as point forward. Mashburn, an excellent ball-handler and a good passer, did well and has the size to make Dennis Scott come out and try to play defense.

In turn, Mashburn's talent for getting to the hoop reduces the double-team possibilities on Alonzo Mourning and power forward P.J. Brown. Riley also is working 6-foot-6 Dan Majerle back into the mix to bolster the Heat's height in its backcourt. The problem: Voshon Lenard has been shooting so well, he belongs on the floor.

Orlando's Gerald Wilkins predicts "a defensive war. I know Riley. Riley is going to be getting them ready with every game, and they're going to be ready."

Brian Shaw, the Magic's top reserve and best passer (4.2 assists) has gotten limited time after missing five games with a strained neck.

Prognosis: Miami in a sweep. That sets up a rested, healthy team for a regular-season reversal against the Knicks and a trip to the East finals.

New York vs. Charlotte

FEATURED MATCHUP

Anthony Mason, a 6-foot-7 forward, playing post defense against his arch-enemy, Knicks center Patrick Ewing.

Dave Cowens withheld Muggsy Bogues (out three games with a strained hamstring), Matt Geiger (out three with a stiff back) and Dell Curry (out 10 of 11 with a calf strain) when the Hornets went through the motions in Milwaukee on Sunday. All will play against the Knicks.

Anthony Mason's timing has been off since returning from a plantar fascia injury, but three practice days will help. So will the incentive of playing against his old team. The big question: what message will Mason's barber carve into his scalp?

The Knicks, meanwhile, are ebullient. They beat Miami, Atlanta and Chicago down the stretch and Allan Houston made big shots. Still, Larry Johnson will be in constant foul trouble trying unsuccessfully to stop Glen Rice. That will cost the Knicks dearly.

Prognosis: Home court rules in this situation. The Knicks beat the Hornets and a five-game grind that sets them up for disappointment against the Heat.

Atlanta vs. Detroit

FEATURED MATCHUP

Christian Laettner against Terry Mills. Why? Mills killed the Hawks twice in the regular season when Laettner failed to go out and get him. A hot hand by Mills is essential to Detroit's hopes.

The Hawks have figured all year they could beat Detroit because Lindsey Hunter is not a real point guard, because there's no center there, and because Grant Hill had to wear down sometime.

Until Atlanta's 103-89 victory at home April 4, the Pistons got away with sending Hunter into a corner, effectively taking Mookie Blaylock out of the mix since he couldn't rev it up defensively against a guy who didn't handle the ball.

In that game, Blaylock, Ty Corbin, Steve Smith and Christian Laettner all took turns on Hill, who went for a triple-double but did little in the fourth quarter.

The Pistons started 33-11 and came home a mediocre 21-17. The worry here is that Rick Mahorn's sore right foot (surgery in January) will limit his role. Mahorn played 13 minutes Sunday. The Pistons are also concerned with Theo Ratliff's inconsistency and the fact that Don Reid is not at his best with a strained left leg.

Now that Grant Long has been exposed as the culprit who verbally lashed coach Doug Collins, he's not likely to play. Too bad. He could help.

Prognosis: The Hawks will prevail in another bloody five-gamer. With any other opponent than Chicago in their future, that would cause concern. Since they could not beat the Bulls off a first-round bye, it's irrelevant.

Jeffrey Denberg, who covers the NBA for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is a regular contributor to ESPNET SportsZone.