Basketball Playoffs: Conference Finals

The championship round is getting closer and closer. The Western and Eastern conference finals have finally been decided. I predicted two out of two correct on my semifinals predictions (the Western conference semifinals). The Lakers second round series against the Utah Jazz was indeed tougher for the Lakers, but they still won the series in six games making their first conference finals appearance since 2004.
The New Orleans Hornets gave the defending champions San Antonio Spurs a run for their money pushing the series to a final and seventh game. However, I was correct when I said the Spurs’ experience will help win game seven and lead them to the Western Conference finals once again.
Over in the other conference, the Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic but quicker than I expected. The Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers as I predicted, but they had to do it in seven games considering the fact that they still could not win any road games.
Here are my Western and Eastern Conference finals predictions:

The Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons: I know that everyone wants to see a repeat of the 1980’s with a Celtics and Lakers Finals match-up, but I have doubts that it will happen this year. The Boston Celtics have shown that they cannot win on the road during the playoffs and the Detroit Pistons are more than capable of going into Boston’s building and winning a game. I may be going out on a limb here but I predict the Pistons will upset the Celtics. Pistons win series 4-2.


The Western Conference

Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs: This will be a tough series for both teams. The Lakers and Spurs both have a lot of talent and advantages. However, I think the aging Spurs (and tired from the Hornets series) will not be able to overcome Kobe Bryant and the much improved Lakers team. The Lakers will dethrone the defending champions in seven games. Lakers will win series 4-3.

Basketball Playoffs: Semifinals Predictions

The second round (semifinals) of the basketball playoffs are just getting underway this weekend. My first round predictions were not bad at all…I got 4 out of 8 correct. Just as I predicted, the Lakers knocked out the Nuggets in only 4 games and the Jazz eliminated the Rockets in 6. Their reward is having to face the Lakers in the second round. The Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks were eliminated quicker than I thought. The Pistons and the Magic made it to the second round, but unfortunately the Wizards did not. The most surprising first round match-up was between the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks. Most people predicted a sweep since the #1 seed Celtics were going against a team who only won 37 games in the regular season. Well, the Hawks fought, won all of their home games and pushed the series to a game 7. The Celtics came out on top of course, but showed their vulnerability.
Here are my second round predictions:

The Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Even though the Celtics had to fight it out with the Hawks, I still predict the Celtics will beat the Cavaliers. Celtics will win series 4-2.
Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic: Pistons win series 4-3.


The Western Conference

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz: This match-up will be tougher for the Lakers, but they will come out on top. Lakers win series 4-2.
New Orleans Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs: This is a tough series to predict. I originally wanted to go with the Hornets because of their young team and they have home court advantage. However, in the end I will have to go with the defending NBA champions Spurs because of their experience. They will have to fight in this one though to the last game. Spurs win series 4-3.