NBA PLAYOFFS - EASTERN CONFERENCE

LGR , Alkis Spyrou - Thursday 8th 2008f May 2008

The Celtics seem unease and confused in a 7-game struggle against the lowly Hawks. On the other hand, Cavs have raised their game and picked up momentum during their series with the Wizards.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) CELTICS (66-16) VS. (4) CAVS (45-37)

Outlook: The Celtics seem unease and confused in a 7-game struggle against the lowly Hawks. On the other hand, Cavs have raised their game and picked up momentum during their series with the Wizards. The mid-year acquisitions are creating an excellent supporting cast to compliment LeBron but Celtics are a better a team…..overall. They split their regular season matches so they start from square one. Will LeBron lead his team once again in promise land? Will the Celtics rediscover their rhythm and suppress the Cavs? The most intriguing match-up in the semis.

Statistic: The last time the Celtics were at the NBA Finals was 1987 when LeBron was 3 years old. The last time the Cavaliers, was 2007!

Prediction: Celtics are back to the (conference) finals…after 7 games.

(2) PISTONS (59 - 23) VS. (3) MAGIC (52 - 30)

Outlook: Nobody is counting Pistons as potential winners of the East and that might work as their advantage. This team is “build” to gain momentum in the playoffs (just like the Spurs) and started to do so in the 2 ½ games with the 76ers.
The Magic hadn’t won a playoff series since 1996 before it ousted the Raptors in the 1st round 4-1. However that can be a double-edged knife: Will that accomplishment give them confidence or turned their mentality to a “We are happy and satisfied to be here”. Which one will they choose?
Defence and more specifically on Howard will the deciding point in this series and how Orlando’s Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis can deliver. Pistons are an enigmatic team and difficult to predict. Having said that, if they play at maximum intensity they are extremely difficult to breakdown and beat. Concentration must the only word in Flip Saunders’ lips at this stage while Stan Van Gundy should connive this team to play hard defence and frustrate the veterans. Will that bea an easy task to ask?

Statistic: This is Orlando's first back-to-back postseason appearance since losing in seven games to the Pistons in the first round of the 2003 playoffs.

Prediction: Pistons learned their lesson from 1st round; win in 5.


WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) LAKERS (57-25) VS. (4) JAZZ (54-28)

Outlook: Kobe will be named MVP and this will boost his confidence and ego…even more! Do the Utah try and double team him and leave Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom unmarked? On the other hand, if they leave him by himself and try to limit the rest could prove critical as well.
Utah has in the face of Deron Williams one of the best point guards in the league and their backcourt is formidable with Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur. That will provide us with a very intriguing match-up against Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol. Defence will be the common strategy of both teams and thus a promising and entertaining series.

Statistic: The last time they met (1997 and 1998), the Malone-Stockton duo taught the art of pick’n roll to the Lakers and the rest of the world. They thrashed them 4-1, twice.

Prediction: Kobe leads his team half-way to promise land (the other half is winning the championship!). Lakers in 6.


(2) HORNETS (56-26) VS. (3) SPURS (56-26)

Outlook: The definition of enthusiasm versus experience. Two of the best point guards currently at the game and they both are defensively oriented teams. But that is where similarities end. Spurs are chasing their unique place in history as the 00’s dynasty and they proved that in a profound way against the Suns. Hornets on the other hand have the momentum from dispatching the Mavericks and the home advantage. Spurs have more depth and they have been there and done it so many time. New Orleans showed guts and great belief in their ability.

Statistic: The Hornets crushed the Spurs two of their three worst losses of the season (102 – 78, 1/26 at SAS and 100 – 75, 3/12 at NOH).

Prediction: Spurs will show why they are the defending champions. They will prevail in 6 games.

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