The first round of the playoffs in the West could be over within a few hours. Who have thought that a few weeks ago? The Mavericks, Rockets and Suns are all on the 3/1 bubble. I hope they all survive and live to fight another day. It's not exactly like the Celtics or Pistons are just going to be sitting around waiting.
Actually everyone thought that. Most thought that Dallas and Houston wasn't even going to make the playoffs at one point. The Suns just got a bad seeding in having to play the Spurs the first round.
The Celtics and Pistons are far from sitting around. They both could lose in the first round. Have you forgotten who the defending Eastern Conference champions are?
rippy cripple wrote:
They both could lose in the first round.
Both teams appear to be on cruise control, especially Detroit. The Pistons HAD to have game 5 at home and they got it done, just like Boston HAS to have game 5 at home. They will get it done. Both series are over in 6 games. Book it.
By the way, I don't think there was ever a point in which most thought Dallas would miss the playoffs. Houston, yes, especially after Yao went down. But Dallas was locked in the whole way.
Does anybody else have this odd feeling that Golden State would have taken LA to the limit? Denver just keeled over and died. The Lakers were a terrible match-up for them. But the Warriors played LA tough all year long.
RC,
Are you saying that you would have laid down $$$ that the West first round could be over after 5 games in each series.
Yes Dallas looked down and out, until Nowitzki came back from his injury. After that they were tough to beat. And Houston went on a tear after Yao went down. And both Golden State and Denver looked very dangerous when they were rolling on offense.
There were 9 pretty good teams and final places weren't sorted out until the last few games of the season, so it wasn't unreasonable to think that several of the playoff series could go 6 or 7 games. As for my Suns, I have to say they didn't deserve to win last night, because they didn't even take advantage of the free ones they were offered. Too bad, because when they were playing well, they looked like they could give the Spurs, or anyone else, a real challenge.
As for the East, yes of course I know the Cavs. are the defending Champs., but Detroit and Boston could still be there at the end, and Orlando is playing well also.
So, who you got for the Finals?
D'antoni is gone. Suns were real dissapointing because they didnt look like they went all out last nite. The offensive game plan looked anemic, reducing Nash to watching Diaw. Very sad. Interseting that had they won the first game (double overtime) I think it would have gone the other way.
The Western series that surprised me was the Jazz-Houston series. The Jazz sucked hard on the road this year and came out and took the first two on the road. Ol' McGrady better hurry up or he'll end up 0-fer-everything in the playoffs for his career.
if the celtics win itll be in 7 they wont beat atlanta at home
please pull over wrote:
Ol' McGrady better hurry up or he'll end up 0-fer-everything in the playoffs for his career.
He's still only 29 years old. He's got some time, especially since later in his career he'll get traded to a team that is better than any he's been on. Also, the Rockets were without Alston in the first 2 games. Since having him back, they have almost won 3 straight, barely lost game 4. I'm not saying Alston is great or a superstar, but when you lose your starting PG it hurts the team.
The Hawks surprised me. I did not think they would be able to win a game against the Celtics and they've won 2. Joe Johnson is making his name in this playoff series. This could be his defining moment in the NBA.
And whoever said it was the 76ers who surprised them, did you watch the last month of the NBA season? The 76ers were on a roll, and playing incredible basketball. I expected them to give the Pistons a run, but eventually lose.
I can't believe Utah won 2 games away from home then came back home and lost their first one at home. Then last night they sucked hard in Houston. Utah really needs to end it in game 6 as they will need the rest of they hope to last against the Lakers, which is who I think they'll be playing. Even if it's not the Lakers but the Hornets or the Spurs instead, Utah will still have their work cut out for them. Better start hittin their shots.