By: Kyle Auger
Staff Writer
The Boston Celtics enter the playoffs this weekend and they are matched up against the star-studded New York Knicks.
The Celtics enter as the three seed and the public opinion on the squad is dropping quickly. On ESPN they are currently ranked 8th in the NBA. This is due to a very run-of-the-mill 5-5 record in their last 10 games including losses against Washington and Indiana.
The Knicks are one of the most popular teams after their trade that landed them Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. Anthony has since led the team in scoring, averaging 26.5 points per game, also Stoudamire has led the Knicks in rebounding, averaging 8.2 a game.
I believe the Celtics are a better overall team and will escape the first round in 6 games. Which will leave them with a probable match up against the Miami Heat.
I have been struggling with this match up, as the Heat have been constantly improving with their three stars. Unfortunately, I think that Miami will end this year’s Celtic’s playoff run in a thrilling 7 game series.
On the Western side, I see the Trailblazers upsetting the Mavericks due to their recent declining play. The only way the Mavericks will win is if Dirk Nowitzki will have to string together some of his best games or Jason Terry will have to ride an extremely hot shooting streak, which he has proven he can do. I think that the Trailblazers are much better than their seeding with stars Lamarcus Aldridge and Andre Miller. Miller is a journeyman who will be seeking his first playoff series win in his 12 year career.
Later in the playoffs, I believe that in the Western Conference finals, I predict the Thunder upsetting the aging one seed, the San Antonio Spurs. Also, the Thunder will clash with the Lakers, and I see Los Angeles winning in five games and advancing to another finals.
The Eastern Conference representative will surface between the series between the Bulls and the Heat, with the Heat winning in 6 games. The Heat is just a personnel nightmare for Chicago on the defensive side of the ball.
In the Finals, I think that the Lakers can stay with the explosive Heat firepower and will score with relative ease against the “Big 3” from South Beach, and the Lakers will win in 6 games in one of the most exciting match ups in recent history.
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my predictions are on here. i agree with blazers pick. i agree c’s in 6. check out my site to see the rest of my picks
Most of this I agree with, unfortunately, I don’t think Boston has the depth or coaching to make it past the second round.
Thanks Neil, I’ve struggled with that Bulls-Heat series and I think the Bulls are still young but still have titles in thier future.
Thanks for the input, I think that the Heat have finally started playing together as a team, and the are only really shallow up front.
I made NHL picks-
East:
Round 1-
#1Washington Capitals vs. #8New York Rangers
Pick: New York in 7 games
#2Philadelphia Flyers vs. #7Buffalo Sabres
Pick: Buffalo in 7 games
#3Boston Bruins vs. #6Montreal Candadeins
Pick: Boston in 6 games
#4Pittsburg Penguins vs. #5Tampa Bay Lightning
Pick: Pittsburg in 6 games
Round 2-
#3Boston Bruins vs #8New York Rangers
Pick: Boston in 7 games
#4Pittsburg Penguins vs. #7Buffalo Sabres
Pick: Pittsburg in 6 games
Round 3-
#3Boston Bruins vs. #4Pittsburg Penguins
Pick: Boston in 7 games
WEST:
Round 1-
#1Vancouver Canucks vs #8Chicago Blackhawks
Pick: Vancouver in 5 games
#2San Jose Sharks vs. #7Los Angeles Kings
Pick: San Jose in 7 games
#3Detroit Red Wings vs. #6Phoenix Coyotes
Pick: Detroit in 6 games
#4Anaheim Ducks vs. #5Nashville Predators
Pick: Nashville in 6 games
Round 2-
#1Vancouver Canucks vs. #5Nashville Predators
Pick:Vancouver in 7 games
#2San Jose Sharks vs. #3Detroit Red Wings
Pick:Detroit in 6 games
Round 3-
#1Vancouver Canucks vs. #3Detroit Red Wings
Pick:Detroit in 7 games
Stanley Cup Championship-
Detroit Red Wings vs. Boston Bruins
Pick:Boston in 7 games
Horrible picks, the Heat don’t have it in them to go to the finals, they don’t have enough depth in their team.
As much as I would hate the Lakers to three-peat, you may have a point. But I don’t see them facing the Heat in the Finals, though that would be great match up. I think that the Bulls will win the series against the Heat, not just because of Derrick Rose’s explosive play but the defense that coach Tom Thibodeau has been using, because thats the reason they are #1 in the east right now. And don’t forget that the Bulls have swept the heat in the regular season series so far. But overall I think you wrote a well written article Kyle, good job.