The New York Knicks versus the Atlanta Hawks matches two Georgetown centers against each other yet again. Patrick Ewing showed once again why he is a warrior. With various injuries, Ewing played 40 minutes and put up his standard, 20 points and 10 rebounds. Although he played a valiant game, the Knicks are better off when he doesn't get that many points. In the Knicks first two wins, New York was running and playing a more open court style of offense that is more conducive to their personnel. The Knicks should continue with this style. It allows the teams to get more easy baskets, which in turn make it easier on the team. When the team slows down, and plays a half-court offense, it would make sense to utilize Patrick Ewing, but if the opportunity arises, like in the Knicks first two wins, run! The Hawks offer an intriguing match-up for the Knicks. While I won't say the Knicks are a better team than the Hawks, I will say they are more talented. Lenny Wilkens is a great coach and has this team pla ying better than the sum of its parts. Chris Childs and Charlie Ward did a nice job containing Tim Hardaway and they'll have to put on the same kind of defensive pressure to contain Mookie Blaylock. Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell will take turns guarding Steve Smith. Smith is playing really well and I don't think either Houston or Sprewell will be able to stop him. Alan Henderson is out. So is Laphonso Ellis. Chris Crawford, the small forward backup, who was having a great year, might also be out. If Crawford has a big series, he'll take some inside pressure off Dikembe Motumbo. Larry Johnson won't be able to handle Crawford's ability to shoot from the outside. But Crawford won't be able to handle LJ down low. Look for the venerable Grant Long to take a crack at LJ. Long needs to come up big. Ewing versus Motumbo is the marquee matchup. Look for both teams to have their centers go strong at each other to get the other into foul trouble. While Motumbo doesn't have the offensive repertoire t hat E wing has, he did put up great numbers versus Detroit. If Ewing can't stop him, look for Chris Dudley to come in and waste 6 fouls. Kurt Thomas was a non-factor in the series versus Miami. Marcus Camby really was the "magazine", he only shows up once a week. A big series from Camby would go a long way for his reputation. While I think New York has better players and are healthy, and the Hawks are hurting and missing some key players, I think Atlanta is the better team. New York is coming off a huge victory and I don't know if they can keep up the same kind of intensity. I wouldn't be surprised if New York wins, they do have the better players and no injuries, but I'm going with the Hawks. How can you go against the winningest coach in NBA history. Prediction: Hawks in 6.

The Philadelphia 76ers versus the Indiana Pacers is a battle of contrasting styles. Philadelphia is basically a one-man show. This is not to say the rest of the team doesn't pull their weight, but when Allen Iverson puts up 30 or so, the 76ers have a good chance to win. If he doesn't score that much, the 76ers don't win. After watching some of the Orlando-Philadelphia series, I noticed the 76ers have simplified their offense. Often, Iverson is freed by a screen and then dribbles until he gets an open look and takes a shot or brings in a double team and dishes it off. It sounds simple, it is, and it works. You can't take away their win over Orlando. Larry Brown has his team playing great defense. This team in buying in big time. Philly has some big men up front in Matt Geiger (who is playing great), Theo Ratliff and Tyrone Hill. But matching them up against Indiana isn't going to be easy. Rik Smits, Dale Davis, Antonio Davis and Sam Perkins are as tough, talented and deep a collection of big men you are going to find in the Eastern Conference. Geiger is a great rebounder on both the offensive and defensive end. But if he has to guard Rik Smits outside, he becomes less effective. Tyrone Hill and Theo Ratliff are battlers like Antonio Davis and Dale Davis. It's just a question of who wants it more. Sam Perkins can play both center and power forward, and like Smits, loves to take it outside. Ratliff, Geiger and Hill don't like venturing outside of the key, this is where Sam Perkins has lived for the past seven years. George Lynch will have his hands full guarding Jalen Rose, Chris Mullin or Derek McKey. Whoever has the hot hands, plays for Larry Bird. Larry Hughes is a great defensive player, but he'll have to have a great series to stop Reggie Miller. Eric Snow will also get a lot of time guarding Miller. Miller is a big-time player. The bigger the pressure, the bigger the game for Miller. Look for Reggie to light up the rookie and Eric Snow. Allan Iverson will have a field day when he's guarded by Mark Jackson. Mark Jackson can do many things, but guarding the quickest player in the NBA isn't one of them. Jackson should be able to have his way with Iverson in the post, but in the open court, the Answer should blow by Jackson like he's standing still. Travis Best is the best option here to guard Iverson. He's fast, strong and can make Iverson work on defense as well. Look for Best to get some significant minutes, even though Mark Jackson is grumbling about minutes. Indiana is now the favorite in the Eastern Conference with the Heat's loss to New York. I don't think Philadelphia matches well against Indiana. Iverson can't do it all, even though he thinks he can. Prediction: Pacers in 5.