Sensei

1st Round

MIA def. NJN in 5
DET def. PHL in 5
IND def. BOS in 7
WAS def. CHI in 7

PHX def. MEM in 5
SAS def. DEN in 6
SEA def. SAC in 7
DAL def. HOU in 6

2nd Round

MIA def. WAS in 5
DET def. IND in 5

PHX def. DAL in 6
SAS def. SEA in 5

Conference Finals

SAS def. PHX in 7
DET def. MIA in 7

NBA Finals

SAS def. DET in 6

In case you were wondering, here are the trading lines for the first round. I placed bets (www.tradesports.com) on Indiana, Seattle, and Washington. My Trail Blazers totally bombed out this season so I had to find a way to entertain myself. Please post your playoff predictions and/or comments on the odds available at tradesports.com.

Miami vs. New Jersey 87.7/12.3
Detroit vs. Philadelphia 91.5/8.5
Boston vs. Indiana 52.6/47.4
Chicago vs. Washington 55/45

Phoenix vs. Memphis 90.2/9.8
San Antonio vs. Denver 82/18
Seattle vs. Sacramento 50.9/49.1
Dallas vs. Houston 66.8/33.2

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maximusveritas

Here's my predictions:

MIA def. NJN in 6
DET def. PHL in 5
IND def. BOS in 7
WAS def. CHI in 6

PHX def. MEM in 5
SAS def. DEN in 6
SEA def. SAC in 6
HOU def. DAL in 7

2nd Round

MIA def. WAS in 5
DET def. IND in 4

PHX def. HOU in 6
SAS def. SEA in 6

Conference Finals

PHX def. SAS in 7
MIA def. DET in 6

NBA Finals

PHX def. MIA in 7

Cross-Over

1st round:

PHX def. MEM in 5
HOU def. DAL in 7
SAC def. SEA in 7
SAS def DEN in 6

MIA def. NJN in 5
WAS def. CHI in 7
BOS def. IND in 7
DET def. PHL in 5

2nd round:

PHX def. HOU in 7
SAS def. SAC in 5

MIA def. WAS in 6
DET def. BOS in 6

Conference Finals:

SAS def. PHX in 6
MIA def. DET in 6

NBA Finals:

SAS def. MIA in 6

dfings

im just gonna skip all the other rounds and go straight to the finals and say heat over spurs in 7

Nimbletoe

Detroit over Pheonix in 6.

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DJ Happy

Not much faith in Chicago with everyone predicting them to exit in the first round? 1-0 up they are at the moment though, with a good win over Washington last night.

Cross-Over

I factored in that Washington won the regular season series, and that the Bulls are missing Deng and Curry. Despite this, I still picked it to go 7 games. I definitely respect the Bulls' ability.

Oh yeah, since Washington is my home team, I have to mention that win for the Bulls at home was what they were supposed to do

Daoust

MIA def. NJN in 6
DET def. PHL in 5
IND def. BOS in 7
CHI def. WAS in 7

PHX def. MEM in 5
SAS def. DEN in 6
SEA def. SAC in 7
HOU def. DAL in 5

2nd Round

MIA def. CHI in 5
DET def. IND in 6

PHX def. HOU in 5
SAS def. SEA in 4

Conference Finals

PHX def. SAS in 7
MIA def. DET in 7

NBA Finals

PHX def. DET in 6

PURE, COMPLETE RIGHT OUT OF MY ASS GUESSES... Anyone else think Phoenix is that strong??? Anyone else think Detroit is still the real thing? Anyone think Shaq can take it all the way in Miami?

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Kurant

I'm gonna skip everything, and make a very bold prediction...

I like Phoenix - Detroit fina.

However, if Yao and McGrady play that well consistantly, NO ONE can stop Yao when he is that aggresive. And no ones ever been able to contain McGrady.

I like Detroit in 6 over the Suns or the Rockets.

No, I don't think Phoenix can hang with a team that has good transition defense, and good inside presence, that can shoot high %'s from the field. Because they can't run. They run 1 half court set, and thats Stoudamire(sp) running around setting screens and picks anywhere the ball is. If Pheonix can't run, Phoenix won't win. Detroit on the defensive end, and in transition, is money.

powerclown

Detroit over Pa-Ho-Nix in 6 or 7.

I believe the 2 have played eachother twice this year, splitting wins. I think Detroit will definitely beat the Heat for the conference, but PHX may have trouble with the Spurs, depending on Duncan's ankle. Detroit is a better team than they were last year, and look what they did last year. I don't place too much stock in a teams regular season record ever since Houston (47-35) swept Orlando (57-25) in the '95 Finals.

The reason Detroit will beat the Heat is because if Detroit can stop Shaq and Kobe, they can stop Shaq and Wade. Detroit has Shaq all figured out by now, and although Wade is good, he's no Kobe yet.

People knock Detroit for their 'slow', defensive style play. I think this can be true to an extent, but when the Pistons are shooting well and sharing the ball, like they have been so far in the playoffs, they are unstoppable.

godzilla23

Miami over the Spurs in 5. Yep... five.

Cross-Over

Just finished watching the Spurs beat the Sonics. Very exciting to watch, Seattle is a very different team at home. Their crowd is ultra-noisy and supportive.

A couple thoughts about tonight's game:

Danny Fortson is a dirty player and just an all around idiot. The guy committed at least two flagrant fouls in the series, and could have been called for several more. He hurts his team, could hurt other players, and to top it off, the big goon wears his hair in pigtails.

Shame on a good chunk of Seattle fans for loudly cheering when Duncan went down in what appeared to be another ankle injury in the 4th quarter. He is lying down on the floor grabbing at his foot, and the crowd is cheering. When Duncan got up and was able to walk it off (he had to get up and shoot the free throws or he isn't allowed to remain in the game), a noticeable portion of the crowd starts to boo him. Shameful.

Omar12

Miami over Detroit in 6

San Antonio over Phoenix in 7

Miami Over San Antonio in 6 Games

Miami does not depend only on Shaq and Wade, they have a great bench, and great outside shooters.

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Nimbletoe

Hehehehehehehe.

Detroit over Miami in 6.

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powerclown

After watching the Pistons muddle through to another mediocre win over a mediocre team, it was refreshing to watch the Sonics-Spurs game. The Sonics went down fighting to the end, and their home crowd was in a frenzy. Great game!

The Pistons/Pacers series has been frustrating to watch. Detroit was sooo inconsistent. Going 8 or 9 minutes without scoring is painful to watch. They made an average team look like contenders.

Now the REAL playoffs begin, and the 2 best teams in the East will play. The Pistons need to kick it up a notch, or they're going to have an early summer. Talentwise, I still think Detroit is the best in the league. It should be a great series, if the Pistons decide not to take too many nights off. I hope youre right Nimbletoe.

Detroit in 7.

powerclown

Here are some commercials Nike has been running during the playoffs. The theme is "Nature of the Hunt". Quite enjoyable.

Nike - Fire (Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons)

Nike - Eagle (Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks))

Nike - Frog (Earl Boykins, Denver Nuggets)

Nike - Lion (LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, for now...)

maximusveritas

Great win by Phoenix tonight. Down by 16 in the 3rd with Amare in foul trouble, Nash and Marion just took over the game.

As far as the conference finals matchups, I still like my original predictions.

Steve Nash is playing the best basketball of his life. Tim Duncan, on the other hand, is not playing at full capacity. If Joe Johnson comes back ready to go and Amare can get it going again, the Suns should beat the Spurs. Whatever happens though, it's gonna be a great series.

I also like Miami to win. Detroit barely beat an average Pacers team. How are they going to beat the Heat? I don't think they can step it up in time, especially without home court. They don't have the spark that they had last year.

Nimbletoe

Barely beat? Yes, it went 6 games, but barely is definitley pushing it. And the Pacers are MILES better than Chicago or Washington. Besides, the Pistons turn it on when they have to. Proof of that is in last year's playoffs. I don't agree with them constantly flipping the switch, but it's worked thus far.

Shaq is hurting. Detroit has proven they can slaughter teams with one or two stars and a mediocre supporting cast. We won't have to double Shaq at all, and can focus on Wade and the few shooters Miami has. No way are they winning this series.

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dlish

whoever wins the western conference will no doubt win the series..ive always been a spurs fan, so im hoping it'd be san antonio..but if duncan can be subdued and ginobili has an offgame, then they can be beaten..only phoenix can assert that much pressure... miami is in with a chance, but with shaq out, i doubt alonzo could step up game after game like he used to a few years back.

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maximusveritas

Sure, if Shaq is really hurt that changes everything, but I'm not sure he is. He may not be 100%, but i think he'll be good enough to suit up and play every night, which should be good enough.
Then again, Miami hasn't been forthcoming with his actual status, so he may be more injured than we know. We'll see.

Cross-Over

Simply not true. At full capacity they are indeed better than both. However, Washington split the season series with this Indiana team. Three out of the four (Miller, O’Neal, Tinsley, and Jackson) were playing each game for Indiana. Washington won their games without Larry Hughes or Kwame Brown.

Washington, despite losing 4 starters for an extended period of time (Haywood, Hughes, Hayes, and Brown) during the regular season, still finished ahead of Indiana and split the season series. Those are the facts. “MILES” better huh? Not close.

The point maximusveritas is probably trying to make is that Detroit did not dominate either series. The Pistons needed overtime to prevent Philly from tying up the series 2 games to 2. The Pistons needed to just flat out win to prevent going down 1 game to 3 to the Pacers.

The Miami Heat swept New Jersey and Washington with a hobbled and missing Shaq.

powerclown

Down almost 20, and Phoenix scores 13 straight points IN 2 MINUTES to beat Dallas!?!?!

I can barely eat a slice of toast in 2 minutes.


2005 NBA World Champions: Steve Nash & Co.

Nimbletoe

The Pistons have never "dominated" a series. They didn't have a sweep last year, they're not going to have one this year. That isn't how they play. They turn it on when it matters, so using that against them as a measure of how good they play isn't correct.

Washington was one of the most overrated teams of this year, and that was exposed by the Heat. Jamison is overrated, and while they have great guards, they don't have much else. Brown is pathetic, and unless something changes in him, will never go anywhere. Beyond that... well, there are a few ok support guys, but no one that could really step up.

Of course teams beat Indiana in the regular season this year. They were so hobbled during the season between injuries and suspensions, it's a shock they made the playoffs. Do you think that if Washington lost their backcourt for 20 games, or one of their guards for the entire season they would have still made the playoffs? Indiana is a very deep team, I don't see how you can think Washington could hold a candle to them. Do you think that Indiana would have been swept by a Shaq-less Heat? Not a chance. Indiana were favorites to win before the brawl. They didn't have Artest, O'Neal's shoulder was obviously killing him, and they still brought the defending world champs to 6 games.

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Nimbletoe

My mom could score 13 points in ONE minute on that lousy defense. Did you see Terry stand there and watch Nash bury the tying three? PUT YOUR ARMS UP OR SOMETHING MAN! Damn.

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Cross-Over

Because they did during the regular season. They couldn't play fantasy games against a full Indiana squad, so all we have to judge the matchup on is the actual games that were played.

Reread what I wrote, we are discussing the current Indiana team. I even started my first response saying that at full capacity Indiana are better than the Wizards. This Indiana team though, yes, Washington can hold a candle to them.

dylanmarsh

Would you agree, though, that withOUT Nash in the line-up, the Suns would've lost that series? Nash proved his worthiness for the MVP award by destroying big D.

Nimbletoe

Do you know how much the regular season doesn't matter?


|----------------------------------------------------------------|


That much.

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Nimbletoe

Wasn't denying that. Was just saying, he had some help from Dallas getting those points :P

EDIT: Oh, I just reread what you said, and i'll deny all day long that Nash deserved the MVP award. Bill Simmons summed up best how I feel on the topic. I'd copy/paste, but there's a lot there.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...s/cowbell/blog

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powerclown

Solid road win for the Pistons. Came out with energy, which is unusual for Detroit as they are notoriously slow starters. Sheed got it rolling early...love it. OK game from Hamilton, very, very sharp in the first half. Billups was fine, McDyess was fine. Arroyo played confidently.

Big Ben did a good job against Shaq, and he scored as well. Expected more from Miami, more points, more energy. No fear on the Pistons' faces - calm and businesslike...the Heat looked anxious to me. Prince shut down Wade just like he shut him down earlier in the year, love this matchup. A good start to the series for Detroit.

Nimbletoe

Wade had his best Peyton-Manning-after-playing-the-Patriots face going after about the fifth time he was denied/missed in the lane. If he can't find his way, this is going to be a short series.

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dlish

if spurs get over the suns (1-0 at present) then spurs the whole way. i have a feeling it wont be a close series..spurs 4-1 over suns.

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I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay?
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alec

who's talking bad about my wizards? huh, huh? overrated? we werent even rated before the season started. im happy we got into the second round, but we should have at least pulled a game off of the heat (but we are miserable at defense so i saw the sweep coming).

but, im ready for the pistons and suns to go at it in the finals... should be good!

dylanmarsh

Now, now, no borrowing of descriptors from Bill Simmons!

As much as I love the Suns, I think a Spurs-Pistons final would be a great series. I really do not want the Heat in the finals.

powerclown

2 things killed the Pistons this evening:

1) 31 of 81 shooting
2) Dwayne Wade scoring the 40. Gotta hand it to the guy, he is awesome when he's on. He reminds me of a smaller Kobe Bryant - obscenely athletic. He found his way tonight, eh Nimbletoe?

On paper, it should be Advantage: Detroit, having won a game in Miami, the next 2 in Detroit. But the Pistons have been too inconsistent to say they automatically go up 3-1. It's looking to be a very good series.

Cross-Over

There is no way to predict what is going or what should happen. Last year, Detroit struggled to beat a NJ team led by a hobbled Jason Kidd in 7 games, but then played well against Indiana in 6, and were spectacular against L.A in 5. Miami has played great all year, but have a hobbled Shaq. However, they picked up an All Star, Defensive player of the year, and All NBA'er for nothing. Mourning has been a huge addition.

Game 1: If you are a Miami fan, despite Sheed shooting 70% from the field and 80% from downtown (well below his norms) and being outplayed through the first 3 quarters, you still tied up the game in the 4th.

Game 2: If you are a Detroit fan, you can say the despite enduring nearly double digits in turnovers from your PG and shooting 38% for the game, you went into the 4th with a lead.

powerclown

Good points CO...

Billups is playing extremely un-Billups like, 8 TO's is off the charts, but in crunch time I'll put my money on him over any other Piston. Mourning has been all the Heat could want and more, he's been surprisingly good so far, same with Eddie Jones.

Nimbletoe

I never said he WASN'T going to find his rhythm, I just said if he doesn't, the Heat are screwed, which proved to be true. Still, the Pistons didn't play well tonight and still kept it a close game. Winning one in Miami was all they were looking for. The palace crowd is insane (trust me, I work crowd control there), and we took the home court advantage.

We'll see if Wade can keep it up.

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Tex13

I want it to be Miami and Phoenix in the finals. Don't care too much for the spurs but they're a quality team

dlish

maybe im gonnaprove myself wrong here..i predicted 4-1 spurs to beat phoenix..looks like its gonna be a clean sweep with spurs 3-0 up 1 more home game left.

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Spartak

I somewhat arrogantly predicted a sweep after the Spurs won game 1. Here's hoping

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