Round one
.
By C. Jake Williams. April 18, 2009
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(1) Cleveland Cavs / (8) Detroit Pistons
Cavs win series 4-0
This Pistons traded their general for a future Hall of Famer who will never play another game for Detroit. Meanwhile, the Cavs are playing with historical team chemistry. They have as much faith in LeBron as the refs do. He's getting every call, and whining on every play that he doesn't.
Cavs sweep the series, and LeBron continues to be my least favorite potential alltime great.
(2) Boston Celtics / (7) Chicago Bulls
Celts lead 3-2
Kevin Garnett's right knee imploded on February 19, throwning this series completely out of whack. With Garnett the Celtics were a lock to meet the Cleveland LeBrons for the Eastern Conference championship. Without him they just might get ousted by a rookie point guard and Vinny Del Negro's 1975 haircut.
Both teams have strenths, and many of them are shared. Boston's Kendrick Perkins alters shots in the paint, just like Chicago's Tyrus Thomas. Bull Ben Gordon is a late-game assassin, a la Celtic pride Ray Allen. And both teams are strong at the point, where this series will be won.
The Boston show is run by Rajon Rondo, a constant triple-double threat with the physique rivaled by most emaciated Somali pirates. Rondo is efficient and selfless, but isn't a threat to put up 30 points. That's Paul Pierce's role, which is why Rondo will average 12 assists per game during this series.
Chicago relies on rookie Derrick Rose to control their offense. Rose is a natural with the ball, and scores 50% more points than Rondo. If Rose can't penetrate the Boston interior, he'll have to find Gordon or John "famous in Sacramento" Salmons for buckets.
So, having to choose between Rondo-to-Pierce and Rose-to-Salmons, I'm still picking Boston to take the series. I still think Garnett will make an impact though.
Garnett is so intense there are reports that he can freak out his teammates when he's on the sideline. Add the pressure of the playoffs, and I think he can cost them a game. If he's allowed on the sidelines of games 5 and 6, I'm taking the Celtics in seven. Otherwise, Celts in six1.
(3) Orlando Magic / (6) Philly 76ers
Magic lead 3-2
Magic in six.
(4) Atlanta Hawks / (5) Miami Heat
Series tied 2-2
Heat in seven.
(1) LA Lakers / (8) Utah Jazz
Lakers win series 4-1
Utah gets swept.
(2) Denver Nuggets / (7) NO Hornets
Nuggets lead 3-1
Denver in five.
(3) San Antonio Spurs / (6) Dallas Mavs
Mavs wins series 4-1
Mavs in six.
(4)Portland Blazers/(5)Houston Rockets
Rockets lead 3-2
Blazers in five.
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1Don't believe? Even Garnett knows it's true, and vis a vis spent the second half of game 1 in the Boston locker room. This really happened!
You were there.