I'm so hyped for the playoffs after watching this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3s63sGoP_c

Let's go Kobe and Co.

First Round:

Cleveland over Detroit (5 games)
Boston over Chicago (6)
Orlando over Philly (5)

(God, the first round in the EAST is so boring! Thankfully, Miami/ATL could be the best series of the first round. I went back and forth on this 20 times but I like Miami over ATL in 7. I just think Wade will find a way. But I wouldnt be surprised if the Hawks won in 5 either. Should be entertaining.)

Lakers over Utah (6)
Nuggets over NO (7)
Blazers over Rockets (7)

Upset: Dallas over SA (6)----just a feeling that they really miss Manu (their spark-plug) in a long series.

Man, the west first round is amazing.

Can't wait for tomorrow. Actually excited for the East matchups for the first time in a long time. Disappointed KG is out, was really looking forward to the Cleveland series. I can't envision anything different happening than a Lakers Cavs finals now, which is scary bc whenever it seems to be that cut and dry something crazy happens.

My only predictions:
-Cleveland isn't going to dominate the East like people think they're going to. I think Atlanta could give them problems.
-If Denver beats NO, Dallas gets to the WCF. If NO beats Den, then NO gets to the WCF.
-If both teams are healthy as they are now, Laker beat the Cavs in 5. Personally I don't think these teams are close, but as they said about AI in '01, "Lebron gon get you one."

He didn't last time.

js...

the lakers will give them fits but you have to at least admit that this cavs team would blow that team from two years ago off the court

Yea, this team is much better. Last years team was better, just not good enough to beat Boston. This year they don't even have to sweat Boston unless KG makes a miracle comeback.

Well that wasn't really fair. That team wouldn't have gotten out of the 1st rd in the West that year. Probably the worst conf in history.

Yea that did it for me too. I can't effing wait for tomorrow just to get some playoff basketball running through my body. I went out Wednesday night so I could get a good nights sleep for tomorrow. I dvr'd some playoff games on espn classic to watch tonight. God I love the playoffs.

goosebumps

Glen Big Baby Davis said last night that he was not the big ticket.... that he was the ticket stub. so funny!

Tim Thomas needs to be taken out of this game immediately.

wow what a first game

Ya I'll take 7 of those please.

How good is Derrick Rose going to be? Holy hell.

wow. Boston looks really vulnerable. The refs did everything they could to get Boston a W today. No dice. Rose and Gordon were spectacular.

I still like Boston but you cant make a serious argument anymore that a Bulls upset is unpossible.

I'm glad other people thought so too, because I wasn't sure if it was real or just my massive Bulls bias.

Seriously though what a game. I thought I was going to have a heart attack.

I thought the same thing... it was just crazy how many times they tried to give Boston the game.

So big! Ship the homecourt advantage!

The Celtics took over for the Spurs last year as the team the refs cheat the most for.

why does detroit have to be so horrid, id rather see charlotte in the 8 seed

Bahahahahahahaa, that's hilarious


Didn't get a chance to watch the game today, was Ray Allen just cold or well defended? Did either of the PG's play any D to speak of?

Just wait until Cleveland has a bad first half before you hand the referee-in-pocket-crown to Boston.

If you can find game film on the last 2 minutes of the Xmas day game the Cavs had vs. the Wiz, make sure you tell all women and children to leave the room.. and if you're squeamish, shield your eyes.

Can someone tell me why I get bored watching the NBA?

did you actually WATCH the Celtics-Bulls games? that was a great game!

yeah I WATCHED the game. It was somewhat entertaining obviously but I got bored. I'm not sure why.

Because it's a star orientated, 1-1 league with no defense and refs playing far too large a part in proceedings in general?

Because you don't like watching basketball being played at its highest level?



lol

The Rockets might be my new favorite team.

I just love the defense that they play and the fact that they are so much better with McGrady not playing for them.

Every team needs a Shane Battier

Yeah that could be it.




lol

when they call that foul on rondo with under 10 seconds left in the game off the ball, i dont think the officials are in favor of the C's

Did you see the replay of that one ? He grabbed him around the shoulders and neck and they had no choice but to call it.

I don't think there's any grand conspiracy by the league or officials but there is no question that for whatever reason certain players and teams overall get more of the calls going their way.

yeah but Rondo got away with a blatant charge into Tyrus Thomas just a little earlier. The Bulls had the lead and that charge would have ended the game. He literally gave Thomas a flying fore-arm shiver. And that was just one of a few bad calls. That Rondo foul on Rose with under 10 seconds was blatant too. He grabbed his jersey (and his whole arm).

I didnt say the refs made every single call for the Celts. NBA refs dont throw games for teams.....but the 50/50 calls sometimes go all one way.....every time the Bulls were about to pull away Boston got a call. I thought it was pretty blatant.

And when Wade is getting all the calls in game 7 in Atlanta I will be fine with it. Thats the NBA, the stars and the champs get the benefit of the doubt.

Showtime!

Anyone see halftime of the Orlando game? Charles was on his game like none other can be.

i love the tnt pre/half/post game shows. also.... wow what a comeback

This Hawks crowd is crazy, it's like they just dumped all the tickets over the ghetto's last night. How did all these people afford playoff tickets?

sadly, if they make a run the good fans will eventually get priced out like in Golden state a couple years back.

nice of Miami to lay an egg to start the playoffs. worst half they have played in a long time......and Wade went on tilt because he thought he wasnt getting any calls. ugh.

Chauncey Billups is on firrrreeeee!!

He's just going to start launching them from half court soon

You guys see who was at the Celtics game on Saturday..

So far the worst reffing I've seen in the opening games was the Nuggets/Hornets game, Paul was constantly getting raped and no call.

if you told me two road teams won Game 1 in the Eastern Conference......I would have said, nice job Miami!

Sigh.

Orlando looked terrible. Boston looked old. Maybe we were all wrong about some things.....but it was just one game.

Don't let Paul's antics fool you, he's one of the best floppers in the league.

He was getting drilled every time he came around a pick or took anything resembling a step to the lane. Martin should have gotten a flagrant for the swing at his head. I didn't realize the Nuggets were capable of playing like that.

Wow.. I sure can't wait till June hits and the *second* round of the playoffs start.

You always forget how ridiculously long the NBA drags out the first round until playoff time starts and you begin the nightmare all over again.

Celtics are looking good.

The Celtics are -19 with Marbury on the floor.

marbury is just playing so scared right now, not that it matters though the celtics will still end up winning the series

what an incredible game.

Agreed. The battle between the PG's is amazing right now (and by amazing I mean hardly any defense to speak of). I hope Rondo's ankle is okay so we can see every fantasy basketballers wet dream continue.

And wow Ben Gordon tonight, he probably had about 3 open shots all game. Sick sick sick.