Well, Washington Wizards, we've changed our ways.
None of USA TODAY Sports' NBA staff memberspicked the Wizards last round against the Chicago Bulls, but that changes in our Round 2 predictions. NBA reporters Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt, senior editor Kevin Spain and digital editor Adi Josepheach went 6-2 in the first round, and now we give it another shot in the second.
And by all means, yell at us on Twitter if you don't like our picks.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 Indiana Pacers (56-26) vs. No. 5 Washington Wizards (44-38)
Amick: There's simply no reason to believe in the Pacers anymore if they don't believe in themselves. Indiana center Roy Hibbert still comes and goes (and save for Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, he has mostly gone), and the collective cohesion and positivity that once defined this team has long since disappeared. Wizards in 6.
Zillgitt: Indiana hasn't played the kind of basketball that indicates it is a championship team often enough but this team might just be a survivor. Washington will be a popular pick to win this series, as they have promise not only for the future but for the now. Still, the Pacers wanted and earned home-court for a reason. Pacers in 7.
Spain: The Wizards didn't survive the first round against everyone's favorite to make the East finals, the Chicago Bulls, they dominated. The Pacers didn't dominate the worst team to make the playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks, they survived. Wizards in 6.
Joseph: There is a worry that the Wizards' size will play into the strengths of the Pacers. But John Wall and Bradley Beal are playing so much better than George Hill and Lance Stephenson right now. Wizards in 6.
No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28) vs. No. 6 Brooklyn Nets (44-38)
Amick: The narrative is nice and all, this story about how Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were put on this basketball planet to torture LeBron James. Yet the oldies-but-goodies aren't as good as they were before, and now is the time for James & Co. to forge ahead with the ferocity that has been missing for so much of this season.Heat in 6.
Zillgitt: The Nets swept the Heat in the regular season, but Miami lost all three times to Chicago in 2010-11 and beat the Bulls in the 2011 playoffs, lost three of four to Boston in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 playoffs and beat the Celtics in the 2011 and 2012 playoffs. Heat in 5.
Spain: The Nets got what they wanted when they tanked on the final night of the regular season: a series against the Heat. Be careful what you wish for. Heat in 6.
Joseph: The Heat showed last season that they occasionally let themselves get pushed to the brink for no good reason. In this case, the Nets actually have a deeper team and can be phsical in confronting the Heat. Still, the champs prevail. Heat in 7.
GALLERY: Top 10 shooters for the second round
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