From the Podium
  • 01:23 AM ET  04.18
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1362
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10

I'm not going to go into a bunch of statistical mumbo jumbo and matchup chess commentary. Picking outcomes in playoff series in the NBA, especially in the first round, is about gut instinct and the history of playoff dynamics. I intend to provide detailed analysis of individual games and series as they happen, but I will offer my picks right now for those of you who just love to gamble! LOL

(1) Boston Celtics v. (8) Atlanta Hawks
CELTICS in 5

(2) Detroit Pistons v. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
PISTONS in 4

(3) Orlando Magic v. (6) Toronto Raptors
MAGIC in 7

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers v. (5) Washington Wizards
WIZARDS in 6

(1) Los Angeles Lakers v. (8) Denver Nuggets
LAKERS in 5

(2) New Orleans Hornets v. (7) Dallas Mavericks
HORNETS in 7

(3) San Antonio Spurs v. (6) Phoenix Suns
SUNS in 7

(4) Utah Jazz v. (5) Houston Rockets
JAZZ in 6

April 18, 2008  01:30 PM ET

Suns in seven? No way.. This year, it'll be more like five.

Here's how I see them:

BOS 5
DET 6
ORL 5
WAS 6

LAL 6
DAL 6
PHO 5
UTA 6

April 18, 2008  03:01 PM ET

As in past years, the Spurs get no respect. Maybe it is because they are in a small market. Four out of the past nine is not so bad. It will be an interesting playoff season due to the fact that all of the teams are so evenly matched. Even though they are the oldest team in the league, don't count them out. This is a new short season and as they say "win or go home." The Spurs have shown that they know how to win, even though it may not be flashy or fast paced. Above all, remember the championship has to go thru San Antonio.

April 18, 2008  07:26 PM ET

I'm well aware of the presence of the Spurs in the playoffs, but their time is over. No one on that team has suddenly become Ponce de Leon and found the "Fountain of Youth" in SA. Tired legs do not equal playoff glory... at least not this year.

They're done. I stand by my prediction.

April 18, 2008  07:34 PM ET

I'd like to see the Lakers sweep. I'd love to see Cleveland knocked out. I'm rooting for the Spurs over the Suns. It will be either Detroit or Boston out of the East. The West will win in the finals.

April 19, 2008  10:35 AM ET

RE To SKYBILL40
while i respect your comment, i must respectfully disagree. The suns are playing, arguably, the hardest team in the fist round. Saying 5 games is disrespectful to the Spurs. The suns could have a breakout year, but they definitely wont trample over everyone to get there. What is funny about all this, is that you have the lakers, denver and Utah Rockets series, going longer than PHX and SA....its funny because those two series are more lopsided than PHX and SA, by FAR.

April 20, 2008  09:03 PM ET

I guess we'll see now, won't we?

April 21, 2008  02:23 AM ET

you forget skybill that pheonix had to trade for shaq in order to have hope of beating san antonio. and if your prediction of the suns beating the spurs based solely on age. Shaq your not so secret weapon is older than any of the spurs big three. not to mention the fact that duncan parker and ginobli came to play. i dont see the suns winning this series. the spurs pull it out in 6. when the suns start playing real defense, and not just hoping teams miss shots well talk about a game 7.

April 21, 2008  02:25 AM ET

Sadly enough, the Spurs had to resort to the "hack-a-Shaq" defense and a unbelievably lucky Duncan three pointer to even pull even with the Suns and put themselves in a position to win the game. The Spurs are done. You'll see.

April 21, 2008  10:09 PM ET

wizards in six, not so sure if they won't be swept. LBJ over rated ?

 
April 22, 2008  09:55 AM ET

your wrong out celtics in five, they going to win in four. Magic win in four not in 7. Cavs win in four not wizards in 6. Hornets in 6 not 7. I'll give you the rest.

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