Pacers and Bulls lead their respective series, Bucks on the brink of elimination

This season the Central division in the Eastern Conference sent three teams to the postseason. Two of those teams have played well and lead their respective seven game series, while one is on the brink of being eliminated.

The Indiana Pacers won the division and are currently leading their best of seven series against the Atlanta Hawks 2-0.

The Chicago Bulls, who finished second to the Pacers in the division defeated the Brooklyn Nets Friday night to take a 2-1 series lead.

The Milwaukee Bucks were the eighth and last seed in the Eastern Conference, are facing the Miami Heat in the first round, and lost on Friday. Milwaukee is down 3-0 and could be eliminated by the Heat in their next game.

Chicago lost its opener against Brooklyn on the road, but defeated the Nets in game 2 in Brooklyn and on Friday night took the series lead, with a hard fought 79-76 win at home.

For many the game was ugly, but for the Bulls, it is exactly what they like. The Bulls had to hold off a late charge by Brooklyn to win as down the stretch Chicago scored only two foul shots over the last 5:46 of the game.

The two teams meet for game 4 on Saturday in Chicago and the Bulls will look to extend their lead to 3-1.

Chicago took a halftime lead of seven points and extended it to 16 during the third quarter and the Nets could not recover.

Joe Johnson the Nets point guard needed another shot of cortisone prior to the game for his left foot. His health is key for the Nets in the series.

Indiana has shown in games one and two of their series versus Atlanta why they were one of the league’s best defensive teams.

The Pacers use their strength on defense to slow down the Hawks when Atlanta wants to speed up the flow of the game. When Atlanta attempts a rally, the Pacers have Paul George and George Hill to hit the open jumpers.

Roy Hibbert, the 7 foot 2 center for Indiana, has controlled the play in the paint, with the help of power forward David West. The two have helped to neutralize the Atlanta low post offense of Al Horford and his teammates.

Not only has Hibbert slowed down the post game for Atlanta, but also he is generating offense. The big man scored 15 points and grabbed 9 boards in the Pacers game 2 win.

With the way the Pacers are playing the series could be over quick, however the Hawks now have two games on their home court and home cooking always helps win games.

The third and final series with a Central division team is being dominated by the Miami Heat over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Miami is leading the series 3-0 after defeating the Bucks 104-91 on Thursday night. The Bucks led the game at halftime by two points but the Heat outscored the Bucks in the second half 56-41 to take home the win. The series should end on Sunday when the teams meet in game 4 in Milwaukee.

The Indiana Pacers won the division and are currently leading their best of seven series against the Atlanta Hawks 2-0.

The Chicago Bulls, who finished second to the Pacers in the division defeated the Brooklyn Nets Friday night to take a 2-1 series lead.

The Milwaukee Bucks were the eighth and last seed in the Eastern Conference, are facing the Miami Heat in the first round, and lost on Friday. Milwaukee is down 3-0 and could be eliminated by the Heat in their next game.

Chicago lost its opener against Brooklyn on the road, but defeated the Nets in game 2 in Brooklyn and on Friday night took the series lead, with a hard fought 79-76 win at home.

For many the game was ugly, but for the Bulls, it is exactly what they like. The Bulls had to hold off a late charge by Brooklyn to win as down the stretch Chicago scored only two foul shots over the last 5:46 of the game.

The two teams meet for game 4 on Saturday in Chicago and the Bulls will look to extend their lead to 3-1.

Chicago took a halftime lead of seven points and extended it to 16 during the third quarter and the Nets could not recover.

Joe Johnson the Nets point guard needed another shot of cortisone prior to the game for his left foot. His health is key for the Nets in the series.

Indiana has shown in games one and two of their series versus Atlanta why they were one of the league’s best defensive teams.

The Pacers use their strength on defense to slow down the Hawks when Atlanta wants to speed up the flow of the game. When Atlanta attempts a rally, the Pacers have Paul George and George Hill to hit the open jumpers.

Roy Hibbert, the 7 foot 2 center for Indiana, has controlled the play in the paint, with the help of power forward David West. The two have helped to neutralize the Atlanta low post offense of Al Horford and his teammates.

Not only has Hibbert slowed down the post game for Atlanta, but also he is generating offense. The big man scored 15 points and grabbed 9 boards in the Pacers game 2 win.

With the way the Pacers are playing the series could be over quick, however the Hawks now have two games on their home court and home cooking always helps win games.

The third and final series with a Central division team is being dominated by the Miami Heat over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Miami is leading the series 3-0 after defeating the Bucks 104-91 on Thursday night. The Bucks led the game at halftime by two points but the Heat outscored the Bucks in the second half 56-41 to take home the win. The series should end on Sunday when the teams meet in game 4 in Milwaukee.