NBA Playoff Picks

[Habib]

I wish that the NBA Finals (2-3-2) had the same format as the other playoffs series (2-2-1-1-1). I have no idea why they always change it like that lol. I just feel it is really tough for the team without home court to win 3 consecutive games like that on their court.

[Drew]

The Finals schedule favors the home team so much. Add that in to the rest of the reasons I think the Lakers will win, they just don't lose at home. In the past 31 playoff games at home, they're 28-3. Not to mention in 2008, Boston had that miracle 25 point comeback that I just don't see happening this year.

[AYHJA]

"You know the difference between you and me? I make this look good." - Will Smith from Men in Black

:laff:

[Habib]

Okay, so the Lakers take game 1. It was a really dull game overall -- certainly not what I expected to watch as an audience. I felt there were way too many fouls being called in the game and there was no rhythm. Somebody was shooting a free throw every 2 fucking minutes -- 67 cumulative free throws overall -- way too many.

The Big 3 just did not play well at all, I have no idea what went wrong. KG was terrible today, hopefully you guys saw that play where he was wide open and decided to lay the ball inside the hoop instead of dunking it. Furthermore, the guy just settled for way too many jumpers as opposed to taking that ball deep in the paint and making a play. He did not attack Pau Gasol. I mean, heck, it looked like he was intimidated today by Pau Gasol for some reason.

The numbers say that Paul Pierce played the best among the Celtics today. To me, Big Baby was the best Celtic player on the court today.

I look forward to a much more fierce and competitive game 2. If the Lakers go up 2-0, the Celtics can kiss the Larry O'Brien trophy goodbye (for this season).

[Drew]

Phil Jackson's teams are 47-0 in playoff series when they win game 1.

The only thing I can see that will really shift in the rest of the series is if Ray Allen doesn't get in foul trouble like he did tonight.

The KG rebirth seems much more like two fluke series against two bad low-post defensive teams (Heat and Cavs) than an actual resurgence. He looked bad against Orlando, and he looked bad tonight. Pau Gasol totally had his way with him. And hell...did Perkins even play? Bynum and Gasol >>>>> Celtics bigs in game one...and will probably do it the rest of the series. Ron Artest probably had the best game of the night. When KG is playing like garbage, Rondo isn't really playing, Allen is in foul trouble...that's when PP gets it going for them, but Ron made sure that didn't happen. Yeah, Pierce's end game numbers look like he did well, but Artest was all over him tonight.

And, where was that tough physical D that was supposed to stop Kobe? Phx defenders did a better job in that series than the Celtics did tonight.... I know its just game one, and its a game the Lakers were supposed to win...but the Celtics looked flat and uninspired...and the Lakers just came to play.

Expect more of the same. Lakers in 4 lol.....

[Habib]

Expect more of the same. Lakers in 4 lol.....

Hahahahahahahahahahaha! Come on Drew, lol, Lakers wish! Okay but really, tonight was not Celtics basketball. I personally thought the refs were unkind to them today. I mean, I watched the whole damn game and I did not see where Ray Allen was fouling yet they kept calling him for fouls.

You asked about the tough physical D lol, well the refs did not allow the Celtics to play it that is why you did not see it. The refs put many important Celtic starters in foul trouble from the get-go of the game and thus they were obviously not able to play that tough physical D of theirs.

I am not a Celtic fan, but I would have loved the refs to let them play their brand of basketball you know? In the Cavs series and the Magic series, the refs allowed them to play. I just was not happy with the officiating today, it is a huge reason too why the game was really dull.

I know I have asked this before but I will ask it again, who invented this 2-3-2 format? No seriously, who? I feel it is so unfair you know? I hate it so much. Why do they not leave it the same 2-2-1-1-1 format like the other playoffs?

Game 2 though, just watch. It will be more competitive.

**Edit: I am feeling a Celtics game 2 win :D That will just make the series as exciting as we thought.

[Habib]

So yes, it turned out exactly like I expected. All I can say is wow, what a thriller in this game 2. Ray Allen was unconscious from 3-point range today and then in the second half Rajon Rondo took over. I mean, what a game!

Now this is a series...

I knew if Boston had any chance to win this championship, they had to get at least one win in the first two game and they did just that in today's game. Boston will most likely drop a game in the Garden because of how tough it is to win three games in a row.

What did you guys think of the game? Halfway through the 3rd quarter till halfway through the 4th quarter was just nerve-racking.

A good game though. This is what we want to see as basketball fans.

[AYHJA]

I say it's pretty much over, Boston may win Game 4, but L.A. should win 2 in a row to close this thing out and settle the debate once and for all...

[Skinny Bastard]

I hope it goes to 7... ...every exciting series deserves a full run.
...and as long as it doesn't interfere with my world cup viewing, it's all good. :dance:

[Habib]

The series is definitely going 7 games. With what I have seen so far, I really doubt the Lakers can beat the Celtics 2 times in a row. But damn, this league should do something about players that flop during games, I am sick and tired of seeing that silly act get rewarded.