EAST
Cavaliers v. Celtics
With the most talked about elbow since November 2007 when Bret Favres injured elbow almost stopped his "Ironman" streak, LeBron James and his injured elbow battle against the Celtics of Boston. This series is a "battle-royale" that will be played VERY physical and is made for basketball enthusiasts as it is going to bounce back and forth. The Celtics defense is going to be their calling card especially when it is working but when they are disinterested and do not play team defense then James and his underlings are going to run the court like they belong in the Western conference. The Cavs have added some major pieces to their missing puzzle and hope that it is what enable them to make it to the Finals and go home with the hardware. Although defense is going to be key for both teams I wonder if the age of the Celts is going to be enough to outlast the upstart Cavs and their bench. The Celtics have a lot of big bodies in Perkins, Wallace, Davis, etc. to come off the bench, battle inside and use fouls to their benefit.
They must understand that wrapping Shaq up when he makes a move is not an embarrassing thing. If they don't then the "Diesel" is going to have his way in the paint whether kicking the ball out to James and other shooters or lumbering into the rim for an easy dunk or tip. The Celtics have to out-think the youngsters and they can advance. This series will be a good view but I don't see it going past 6 games. Celtics win in 5 if the old legs can work in conjunction with the youthful minds.
Magic v. Hawks
The Hawks coming off a long first round series and not looking particularly sharp in their win now face a "hott" Magic team that boasts the two-time Defensive player of the Year, Dwight Howard. Howard is sporting extra motivation after releasing his disgust of the officiating in the opening round series against the Bobcats, and looks to have his mojo back which is bad news for the undersized and undermanned Hawks. The Hawks will enter a valiant effort but the Magic will be too much unless they are able to frustrate Howard and suck him into fouls that he shouldn't make. Howard on the bench is going to be the Hawks best play. Keeping defensive wraps on PG Nelson will also be essential to the Hawks at least making this series one that they can steal a game or two out of. The Magic in 5.
Eastern Conference Finals-Celtics v. Magic
WEST
Suns v. Spurs
The "Big-Fundamental" and the "Canadian-Usain" is going to be a treat to watch. No doubt!!! Throw out the defense in this series because it is going to be non-existent! If the Spurs get too wrapped up in trying to control Nash and the score then by the time they look up they are going to have allowed a sixty-point half to the Suns. Against "Los Suns" you must get up the court and get into your offense and in the event of a missed shot or inbounds to Nash, they must get back down the court and defend as best they can. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker & Manu Ginobili
will be a great match for the running game of the Suns but they must keep their head on a swivel when the ball is in the hands of PG Nash. The Suns bench is "feast or famine" as they are led by Dudley, Frye and a bunch of no-names following Leandro Barbosa and his sweet shot. If Barbosa gets hot then he and the second team could spell disaster for the Spurs while Nash, Stoudemire, Hill and the remaining starters rest. Great wide open western conference running series but I again cannot bet against Duncan and Popovich. Every-time you count out the old guy he fills his passion-bucket full and shows you why he can still play at an old age. Another long series but Spurs in 6 once they become accustomed to the speed of "Los Suns"!
Lakers v. Jazz
Phil & Kobe!! What more needs to be said? Phil has motivated Kobe for this point of the year since the All-Star game. When they hit their slide late in the season and were being questioned by all media Phil kept whispering in Kobe's ear about the "haters" and now I am seeing the fire and focus that IS what makes Kobe Bryant the best payer in the league.
He has turned up his game at the right time and against the right team because Sloan and his Jazz are a team to be reckoned with, as is any Jerry Sloan coached team. Sloans teams always adopt his passionate scrappy attitude and before you know it,
they have a lead and are leaving town with a series win. The Lakers need to be careful in this series and not relax and expect Bryant to do it all at both ends of the court so that Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer don't sneak up and make this a long series. The lack of the Laker bench is going to be key as is the defensive play on the Jazz guards. Everyone knows the Lakers are too slow to keep up with opposing guards and that sore thumb is going to be exposed here as it was in Round 1. The Lakers will win but it will not be easy. They may even lose a couple of players with the physical play that the Jazz implore but they should still win the series. Lakers in 5 just to see more Nicholson in Staples. (If it goes longer than 5, then Utah will still be playing Jazz in the Finals.)
Western Conference Finals-Lakers v. Spurs
