The playoffs are amongst us! after almost 5 months of jostling for positions around the league, the business end of the season has finally arrived. 14 teams have been given an early vacation whilst for the other 16, the fun has just begun.
Before I get into the 1st round matchups, Ill give my prediction for the winner this year.
Boston Celtics ($2.75 SportsTAB)
Lets be honest, lets not fool ourselves, there is only one team that can win this year. The Boston Celtics. Throughout the whole season everyone has been trying to find a reason for them not to win, but all arguments have come up short. They could very well make it to the NBA finals this year with an unprecedented 12-0 playoff record. However this is probably unlikely. It will be more like a 12-2/12-3 record as they will drop a few games against either the Pistons/Cavs/Magic. They will enter the NBA finals with fresh legs whilst all the Western powerhouses will be in tiring each other out from the 1st round. It wouldnt be surprising if the team that comes out of the west plays a maximum 21 games before they get to the finals. put that on top of the 82 game season, and that is a lot of basketball to expect from some of these teams.
With the likes of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen running the show, with this seasons surprise Rajon Rondo and the always reliable Sam Cassell taking charge from the point, the Celtics have a chemistry and the experience that all other 29 teams in the league want but are far from having. (with the exception of the San Antonio Spurs)
So thats that, Boston will win the title this year.
1st Round Match-Ups - Eastern Conference
1 Boston Celtics (66-16) vs. 8 Atlanta Hawks (37-45)
Season series: Celtics 3-0
Nov. 9: Celtics 106, Hawks 83
March 2: Celtics 98, Hawks 88
April 12: Celtics 99, Hawks 89
Schedule:
Game 1: at Celtics, April 20, 8:30 p.m. (TNT)
Game 2: at Celtics, April 23, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Game 3: at Hawks, April 26, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 4: at Hawks, April 28, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Game 5*: at Celtics, April 30, TBD (TBD)
Game 6*: at Hawks, May 2, TBD (TBD)
Game 7*: at Celtics, May 4, TBD (TBD)
* -- if necessary
The Celtics should sweep the babys of the playoffs this year, the Atlanta Hawks, who havent seen post season action since 1999. Pull the broom out of the closet, Boston will sweep this series 4-0. Have your money on them every game.
4 Cleveland Cavaliers (45-37) vs. 5 Washington Wizards (43-39)
Season series: Tied 2-2
Dec. 5: Wizards 105, Cavs 86
Jan. 23: Cavs 121, Wizards 85
Feb. 22: Cavs 90, Wizards 89
March 13: Wizards 101, Cavs 99
Schedule:
Game 1: at Cavaliers, April 19, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 2: at Cavaliers, April 21, 7 p.m. (TNT)
Game 3: at Wizards, April 24, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Game 4: at Wizards, April 27, 1 p.m. (ABC)
Game 5*: at Cavaliers, April 30, TBD (TBD)
Game 6*: at Wizards, May 2, TBD (TBD)
Game 7*: at Cavaliers, May 4, TBD (TBD)
* -- if necessary
The King is back for another assult at the crown. Once again LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will have to go through the Wizards in the first round. And once again they will beat them. In the last 2 playoff seasons, the Cavs have beaten the wiz's 4-2 and then 4-0. This year will be no different. Although they have looked shaky since the trade for Ben Wallace and Wally Szczerbiak and have had their share of injuries, they have still managed to hold onto their top 4 position. Antwan Jaimeson for the Wizards is having a career season and Gilbert Arenas has been back for afew weeks, however, the key to this team is Caron Butler. With Butler's knee injury meaning he isnt going to be 100% for this series throws the series in the Cavs favor.
It will be a close series with a lot of close games. Cavs to win in 6 or 7 purely off the back of some LeBron playoff magic that we are so used to this time of the year. Betting under the line could be an option for most games in this series.
3 Orlando Magic (52-30) vs. 6 Toronto Raptors (41-41)
Season series: Magic 2-1
Nov. 7: Magic 105, Raptors 96
Feb. 20: Raptors 127, Magic 110
March 4: Magic 102, Raptors 87
Schedule:
Game 1: at Magic, April 20, 12:30 p.m. (TNT)
Game 2: at Magic, April 22, 7:30 p.m. (NBA TV)
Game 3: at Raptors, April 24, 7:30 p.m. (NBA TV)
Game 4: at Raptors, April 26, 3 p.m. (TNT)
Game 5*: at Magic, April 28, 7:30 p.m. (NBA TV)
Game 6*: at Raptors, May 1, TBD (TBD)
Game 7*: at Magic, May 3, TBD (TNT)
* -- if necessary
This could be one of the best series of the post season. "Superman" Dwight Howard and the least talked about superstar in the league Chris Bosh is a preview of what will be one of the leagues best rivalries in a few years time. The Magic wont loose this series but they will have to work for it. The Raptors are one of the sharpest shooting teams in the league and with the likes of Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker and Carlos Delfino all shooting well, and the best 3 point shooter in the league Jason Kapono sitting pretty on the bench, the erratic Magic will have to bring their a game to pick up away wins in this series.
Take the Magic to win in 6 or 7. They will win all their home games but will be a shaky side come the games in Toronto.
2 Detroit Pistons (59-23) vs. 7 Philadelphia 76ers (40-42)
Season series: Tied 2-2
Nov. 23: Pistons 83, Sixers 78
Jan. 23: Pistons 86, Sixers 78
March 12: Sixers 83, Pistons 82
April 9: Sixers 101, Pistons 94
Schedule:
Game 1: at Pistons, April 20, 6 p.m. (TNT)
Game 2: at Pistons, April 23, 7:30 p.m. (NBA TV)
Game 3: at 76ers, April 25, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 4: at 76ers, April 27, 7 p.m. (TNT)
Game 5*: at Pistons, April 29, TBD (TBD)
Game 6*: at 76ers, May 1, TBD (TBD)
Game 7*: at Pistons, May 3, TBD (TNT)
* -- if necessary
Detroit will win this series, no questions asked. the team just looks too good and knows how to play playoff basketball. Don't be surprised if the 76ers win one of their home games.
Detroit 4-1.
Coming tomorrow: Western Conference.
Comments (2)
Add Comments
Read More
