We're almost Conference Finals bound as three of four Conference Semifinal Series have ended abruptly in four game sweeps. First, we'll start with the series that is currently playing right now.
(1) Cleveland and (4) Boston tied 2-2
I'll be honest, the Celtics have the momentum here and a win tonight in game five in Cleveland gives them this series essentially. They should be leading this series entirely and shows that a banged up LeBron James isn't good enough for the Cavaliers. The Celtics simply have more depth and even though I picked he Cavaliers to go to the Finals, I assumed a healthy LeBron would go with them and that Rajon Rondo wouldn't make the Boston Big 3 into the Boston Big 4. The Cavs are in a must win situation.
(2) Orlando defeats (3) Atlanta 4-0
The Hawks showed major weaknesses in that rough first round series against the Bucks and the Magic exploited them. What terribly dull series, I thought the Hawks were better than what they showed, but apparently not. Orlando now heads to the East Finals an undefeated 8-0 in the postseason. That's pretty insane, but they have had by far the easiest two round road of all the remaining teams as well. It doens't matter whether Cleveland or Boston wins in the other seies, they will give Orlando a true test and I'm not so sure the Magic will be prepared.
(1) LA Lakers defeats (5) Utah 4-0
Again, I thought the Jazz would put up a slightly better fight agaisnt the Lakers, but the Jazz instead fell apart and didn't give the Lakers much of a fight. Los Angeles survived a very tough challenge against the Thunder and that really ptu them into killer playoff mode. I think the Lakers are ready for the Finals, forget the next round, Los Angeles is just too good.
(3) Phoenix defeats (7) San Antonio
Talk about overestimating the Spurs, it appears that their time ahs officially passed. The Suns were simply too fast and too good for San Antonio to shut down and just like that we have and all-Pacific Division West Final. Phoenix is a heavy underdog to go to the Finals, they were pretty inconsistent during the regular season and the Lakers are able to win a series against a run and gun team as they exhibited this against Oklahoma City. Now the Suns are better than the Thunder, but let's face it, their defense is in doubt. Phoenix needs a huge effort to go to the Finals for the first time since the Barkley era.
What to Watch This Week
Thursday- Cleveland at Boston Game 6 8:00 ESPN
A possible series clinching game in whcih I see the Celtics as the favorite. Can LeBron and company prove the critics wrong?
Sunday- Boston at Cleveland Game 7 3:30 ABC (if necessary)
This could be a game seven classic if it gets there. Again can LeBron and company prove the cirtics wrong, or could be a step closer to a Lakers-Celtics rematch?
Monday- Phoenix at LA Lakers Game 1 9:00 TNT
The West Finals kick off on Monday as the Suns travel up to Hollywood to take on L.A. Could we see a surprise and the run and gun Suns winning game one?
0 comments:
Post a Comment