We brought in a ringer for our Playoff previews. He's a new writer that you'll be seeing more of around here. He calls himself The Crow and has been obsessed with predicting sports outcomes since middle school. If you're betting, take his advice. If he asks you to join his fantasy league, don't—you won't have a chance.
You can't help but feel bad for the Chicago faithful as this is not what they were expecting with the best record in the NBA. But after losing Derrick Rose late in game one, the doubt certainly had to creep in. Losing Noah was the final blow to a team I knew would get picked off sooner rather than later. They are a team built to generate regular season wins, not necessarily championships. But the beat goes on—congratulations to the Sixers for earning a chance to play the surging Celtics! You win! But...
Boston more or less did what I expected to the Hawks. They had a scare early on, facing a potential 2-0 hole before getting back home. Hats off to Paul Pierce for showing up big and saving the Celtics season. I truly believe had they lost game two, it would have been Atlanta hosting Philadelphia today. Kevin Garnett did the rest as he turned back the clock in game six, dropping an epic 28-point, 14-rebound, 5-block, 3-steal masterpiece, which included the game-winner.
In the Hawks series, I thought it would be Rondo who led the way and—despite not being available for game two—he indeed played a major role in the series. I expect more of the same again against a scrappy Sixers team playing with house money. I also can't help but notice the monster series staring KG in the face. Expect Philly to mix and match Spencer Hawes and Elton Brand on the Big Ticket, but don't expect either having much success. With Hawes, I assume Garnett will step out and wait for Rondo to get in the paint before kicking it to him for the open 18-footer. When the Sixers try Brand, KG will simply use his quicker first step on Brand and attack the hoop. It's looking like a pick-your-poison kind of series. The ageless Garnett should average 20 and 10 as the Cetics roll to the Eastern Conference finals.
Boston in 5
As a bonus for my readers: Lakers 109 Denver 103.
You can hear the frustration of Kobe Bryant loud and clear. He did his best to close it out in six (like I expected), but in doing so he pulled the Lake Show away from their strength—their size. Kobe is 4-1 in Game sevens in his career and that should move to 5-1 behind a solid effort. Pencil in Kobe for 12-27 shooting and a neat 36 points. The real story will be Andrew Bynum and the referees. It wouldn't shock me to see the Lakers earn a 2-1 free throw advantage tonight. Likewise, it wouldn't shock me to see Bynum earn back some Bryant trust behind a brilliant 20/20 performance.
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