eastern conference playoff predictions
By francs
@francs (58)
Philippines
April 20, 2008 11:03pm CST
Here are my playoff predictions for the first round..
Boston vs. Atlanta
Big 3 will dominate Hawks and I see a more superior bench for Boston. Hawks are inexperienced in the playoffs with the exception of Mike Bibby.. Celtics in 4
Detroit vs. Philadelphia
Detroit has been to the conference finals almost every year. Their core has 400+ playoff games worth of experience combined while the Sixers despite winning 2 games vs. Detroit this season have most players not even winning a series yet.. Pistons in 6
Orlando vs. Toronto
Dwight Howard is having a career year this season winning his first rebounding title, being an all star starter plus the Magic won 50 games for the first time in a decade. Toronto has many shooters but they can't have any off nights for them to have a chance. Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard would probably cancel each other out so its up to the rest of the starters and bench to decide who wins this series.. Magic in 6
Cleveland vs. Washington
King James and Agent Zero go at it for a 3rd straight year. LeBron has some motivation after DeShawn Stevenson called him "overrated" while Arenas wants to prove that the Hibachi can still take over a game. Cleveland is struggling after the trade but their playeoff experience will be the difference in this series... Cavs in 7
3 responses
@danzer (2723)
• Philippines
21 Apr 08
What a bold prediction but I know it can happen. Anyway let's wait and see if you are right on target. I heard today, April 21, that Detroit lost to the Sixers in game 1. I hope that the top 4 will advance to the next round!
@PasardJay (36)
• United States
22 Apr 08
Celtics.
Detroit must still be in the process of turning it on. They'll mess around, and will be "turning it on" at the house just watching the playoffs on television.
LeBron and Cleveland are looking to move in for the kill versus Washington. Washington doesn't seem to have a good rotation with either Arenas starting, or coming off the bench. Cleveland is getting contributions from everybody(i.e. Booby, Wallace, Varajeo, Szcerbiak, Joe Smith, and anybody else on the court.)
Toronto looks like well Toronto. They won the Eastern Conference last year, but faded in the playoffs. They're fading again this year without having won a thang.
If Philadelphia somehow manages to beat Detroit which would be an upset, and plays Orlando. Orland may very well make it to the Eastern Finals. Cleveland with their rotation playing respectable will make it a good series versus Boston. However, it will still come down to essentially the Big Three versus LeBron. A royal flush beats one king anyday. Boston will beat Cleveland 4 out of 7. Orlando versus Boston will give Boston fits. Dwight Howard can basically neutralize Garnett. Other than the Wizards, the Magic are probably the only other team in the league to beat Boston twice this year so they obviously match up well against Boston. Pierce would have his hands full with Turkoglu, and Rashad Lewis gives Orlando their own "Big Three." So it is not a giving that Boston will come out of the East in the playoffs. Although, they are the favorites. My personal own favorites as well. I can still remember Pierce getting stabbed, and wondering if he would live let alone play ball again. Dude came back withing weeks, and played. Pierce has heart. Garnett has heart. Allen has heart. Our bench has heart. It will take a strong performance on more than one night from the other eastern conference teams to derail the Celtics from arriving in the finals. Go C's!!!!
@terpcrazy03 (64)
• United States
21 Apr 08
I agree with your predictions. I also think that Boston is going to the finals.
