Can The Magic Really Beat The Celtics?

Yesterday, we asked whether or not the Suns could really beat the Lakers. Now, we ask the same question to the Eastern Conference Finals where the Magic looked out of tricks and quit on the season by getting blown out in Game 3 and looking likely to get swept. Now, the Magic have won Game 4 in OT and Game 5 at home to draw the series to 3-2 going back to Boston. The Magic have all the momentum, but can they really beat the Celtics?

Yes.

In fact, the Magic are much more likely to beat the Celtics than the Suns are the Lakers - even though the Magic must win 2 of 2 and Phoenix must win 2 of 3. This is largely because the Magic have the experience of winning in Boston before. Not only in Game 4, where they were arguably lucky to escape with victory, but last year as well. The Magic have won 3 games in Boston in the last two years in the playoffs including a Game 7 last season in the East semifinals. With this history of winning in Boston, the Magic will have all the confidence in the world that they can be the first ever NBA team to come back from 3-0 down to win a series.

Orlando is only the 10th team out of 93 down 3-0 to force a Game 6. But, their sudden ability to turn it on has to have C's fans worried they can be the first to win the series. Now, I'm not going to sit here and praise Orlando for suddenly trying like a lot of others have had on ESPN and elsewhere. Their performance in the first 3 games was embarrassing... but now the real Magic have woken up, they have every chance to complete a historic comeback.

But why?

Besides their history of winning in Boston, Dwight Howard has become enough of a threat offensively to open up 3 point shooting chances. And, Orlando is taking advantage of those opportunities. They've shot 23/55 (42%) in 2 wins and 20/70 (28%) in 3 losses from downtown. Superman is averaging 26.5 pts and 13 reb in wins compared to 16.7 pts and 9 reb in losses. And, although I hate to give this guy credit, JJ Reddick has scored 13 ppg in the last 2 and has a combined +/- of +32 in Magic wins. With Reddick and Jameer Nelson stepping up in the backcourt (and Vince Carter seeing less important action), the Magic become a more complete and dangerous team.

Combine that with a Boston team that has seen Rajon Rondo ineffective, Kevin Garnett slumping, Kendrick Perkins getting tossed, and Big Baby getting knocked out... and there are much larger problems for the Celtics than the Lakers. Unlike the Lakers/Suns series out west, the Celtics know that this Magic team can beat them, and their combustible behavior in Game 5 is evidence of that. Of course, they could find their rhythm in Game 6, be boosted by the home crowd, and sense the urgency of the moment to close out the series... but I wouldn't bet any savings on that happening.

You can read between the lines and see Boston's worry. Paul Pierce said before last night's game that the C's were treating it as a Game 7. Luckily for him and Boston, they have 2 more Game 7's to go... but that might suit Orlando just fine.

Can The Suns Really Beat The Lakers?

A week ago, the Western Conference Finals were 2-0. The Lakers had averaged 126 points in their home games. Everyone was proclaiming that we were in for the 9,000th Lakers-Celtics Finals in history. Kobe Bryant was the real MVP. And, the Phoenix Suns were defending about as well as the border patrol.

(Rimshot!)

Fast forward to today and the Suns have now tied the series at 2, Steve Nash has endeared himself to millions again by getting his nose broken, the Lakers haven't figured out the zone defense, and the Suns bench has come alive (scoring 54 points in Game 4), and now there is a chance that we might not get that Lakers-Celtics Finals.

So... can the Suns really beat the Lakers?

The Suns might just be wacky enough to beat the Lakers. Think about their bench unit that starred last night: Goran Dragic, Leandro Barbosa, Jared Dudley, Lou Amundson, and Channing Frye. These 5 guys that look more like a variety show cast beat the reigning world champs and Kobe Bryant?? Seriously? This hustling bunch of 3 point shooters, when they're on their game, are a dangerous unit because they are so unorthodox. 4 of them are legit threats from downtown, each one works hard defensively, and they share the ball and run effectively. There is one problem though... can they do it in LA? Oh, and they also badly need a nickname.

For the Suns to beat the Lakers, their bench has to play well in Staples Center. The Suns bench only averaged 30.5 pts in Games 1 and 2. They averaged 34.5 pts in Games 3 and 4. The bench shot 21/55 in Games 1 and 2 and 23/53 in Games 3 and 4. While those aren't huge statistical differences between the home and road performances, this is: -56 combined point differential in Games 1 and 2, but a +37 diff in Games 3 and 4. The bench started the 4th quarter last night with a 1 point lead and started the period with a 14-5 run to win the game.

The Suns have found a formula to beat the Lakers... but so did Oklahoma City. OKC played LA even after 4 games, lost Game 5 and then blew it down the stretch in 6. Phoenix needs to carry their energy and shotmaking ability (bench and starters) on the road, which will be much harder than in Arizona. For whatever reason, role/bench players play much better at home - it's a universal basketball fact.

The Lakers are unbeaten this postseason at home and that's why homecourt means so much in the NBA. The Lakers will have Games 5 & 7 at home where they have seemed nearly invincible. They play better defense at home, they move the ball better at home, and the role players step up in Staples. I'll be rooting for the Suns and their unique team, but I don't think their success can carry over and win either Game 5 or 7 on the road. It will be fun to watch, but even though the basketball world appears to be changing, the Suns will still set in the West.

NBA & NHL Playoff Pulse - Beginning The Conference Finals

As the Conference Finals begin in the NBA and NHL, the attention turns away from LeBron James and to the actual action on the court and the ice... at least we hope for a little while. With each series in the Conference Finals underway, it's time to check the Playoff Pulse!

1) Biggest Winner - Philadelphia Flyers

-The Flyers have emerged as the big winners thus far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Coming back from 3-0 down against the Bruins to force Game 7, and then coming back from 3-0 down in Game 7 to win the series is something never seen before. Now, they have homeice advantage in the East Finals as a 7 seed and chased Jaroslav Halak in Game 1 winning 6-0. While many point to the Chicago/San Jose winner as the clear favorite, or Montreal as the team of destiny, don't discount the Flyers as perhaps both. Their run has been one of the most under-the-radar surprise playoff performances in recent memory. They will have to be weary that the Canadiens lost Game 1 against Pittsburgh and won in 7 games... but at this point, what can stop the Broad Street Bullies?

2) Biggest Loser - Dwight Howard

-Dwight Howard thinks he's one of the star players in the NBA. Dwight Howard thinks he's Superman. He's the reigning back to back defensive player of the year. But, in Game 1 he was exposed as a one trick offensive pony, who blocks shots and rebounds. Against the C's, he looked like an athletic version of Dikembe Mutombo and not the next Shaq. Howard had 13 and 12, but 7 TOs and shot only 3-10 from the field after going 27-32 against the Hawks. After several years in the league, he still has no low post game and strong defenders that can push him out from underneath the basket greatly limits his offense. Howard must step up his game tonight to find the magic again.

3) Best Performance - Antti Niemi

-Yes, Kobe had 40 points last night... but Niemi made 44 saves on Sunday against the Sharks (tied for the most in the last 13 years by a CHI goalie)! Down 1-0, he made several saves that kept Chicago in the game and allowed them to take a 2-1 lead into the final minutes. Niemi then fought off several shots in the last 2 minutes withstanding a 6 on 4 advantage from San Jose. Niemi was the major question mark for the Hawks coming into the playoffs, but has grown in stature and confidence throughout the playoffs. If Niemi plays this well, the Hawks could be playing for the Cup very soon.

4) Best Game - Game 1: Blackhawks 2 Sharks 1

-While the Magic's comeback was exciting, you never really felt like it would come off. The Suns/Lakers was high scoring but not close, and the Flyers blew out the Habs. So, the Hawks/Sharks Game 1 duel wins our honors for best game. It was tight and hard-fought and saw Chicago fight off a furious finish to claim homeice advantage.

5) Biggest Surprise - The Celts Keep Rolling

-It's amazing that this team was left dead in the water coming into the playoffs. Many folks said this team was finished, the Heat would beat them, and the Big 3 Ubuntu Era was over. Now? They are suddenly favorites to go back to the NBA Finals after dispatching LeBron and taking Game 1 in Orlando. The key to the C's resurgence has been the emergence of Rajon Rondo as the team's best player and a healthy Kevin Garnett. Suddenly this team has the chemistry, shotmaking, and defense of the '08 title crew. Is a Lakers rematch in the near future?

6) Biggest Question - Do The Suns Have A Chance?

-All throughout last night, I wanted to talk myself into thinking that Phoenix has a chance to upset the Lakers. With Steve Nash still at an All-NBA level, JR shooting lights out, and role players that the Suns have not had before... it makes you want to think that this is their year to reach the Finals. Then, they go out and allow 128 pts and 58% shooting to the Lakers in Game 1. I still hold out hope that the Suns have a chance, but after watching them get run off the floor last night, it is a faint glimmer at best. The Suns need Amare Stoudemire to step up and find some way to slow down the Laker attack, and quickly.

7) Game 2 Picks

NHL

Chicago @ San Jose

-The Blackhawks are now an incredible 6-1 on the road in these Stanley Cup Playoffs. With Antti Niemi hot, it seems like the Hawks have all the momentum in their favor. While talented, the Sharks have never had that closing ability. In a must-win game for San Jose, it's easy to picture them coming out tight and afraid to make a mistake. Also take into account the 5-0 edge SJ had in power plays evening out tonight, and Chicago might take a 2-0 lead back home.

PICKS: Y1/Y2: Blackhawks

Montreal @ Philadelphia

-The thing with Montreal is that they have an incredibly short memory. We've seen them bounce back in these Stanley Cup Playoffs time and time again. Game 2 is by no means a must-win for the Habs with the way they have played late in their previous 2 series... but, things are going so well for the Flyers that it is tough to pick against them. Y2 goes with the Canadiens to bounce back, but I see Philly flying.

PICKS: Y1: Flyers Y2: Canadiens

NBA

Boston @ Orlando

-The Celtics took Game 1 in Orlando and now they're playing with house money in Game 2. The Magic may not have what it takes to win this series, but they will win Game 2 whether it's due to a relaxation from Boston, resurgence from Dwight Howard, or a little help from the officials and the home crowd to take the series back to Boston 1-1. The Magic will continue their strong finish Sunday in Game 2, but Boston should still win the series.

PICKS: Y1/Y2: Magic

Phoenix @ LA Lakers

-The Lakers have had the best home advantage of any team in the playoffs thus far. They're unbeaten and have hardly even been challenged at Staples. With LBJ out of the spotlight, Kobe has all of the attention on himself to prove to the world that he's the league's best. The Suns' best chance to steal a game was last night... and it's unlikely that they find a defense to stop LA before tomorrow night.

PICKS: Y1/Y2: Lakers

NBA & NHL Playoff Pulse - Winding Down Round 2

As Round 2 comes to a close, there are some teams that have gone out with a whimper (see picture), some teams that exorcised demons in advancing, and some teams that are locked in classic duels to get one step closer to raising the trophy at the end of the season. Let's check the Playoff Pulse as we inch towards the Conference Finals.

1) Biggest Winner - Montreal Canadiens

-The Habs have emerged as the model for all #8 seeds to live by. They got in on the last weekend of the season, and entered the playoffs with the least number of points of any team. Most NHL observers, and us Johnny come lately Stanley Cup fans, figured the team with the most points, Washington, would sweep them. Or, when the series stood at 3-1, we thought the Caps would win in 5 games. Or 6. Surely they wouldn't lose Game 7 at home would they? Oh, they did. Well, Sidney Crosby and the Pens would surely end their Cinderella run.

Except, here we stand at another Game 7, with the Canadiens staring down the defending champs and the biggest star in hockey. It seems impossible, except this team has already done the impossible. The only precedent for what the Canadiens are doing came in 2006 when the 8th seeded Edmonton Oilers made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals before losing in 7 games to Carolina. Montreal's similar run has been led by a blueprint that all underdogs should follow - timely scoring, outworking opponents, and being firmly convinced that destiny is on your side. It could take them past Pittsburgh and well beyond.

2) Biggest Loser - Basketball Fans

-Basketball fans just suffered through a Conference Semifinal round with 3 sweeps. I wouldn't even call the Orlando/Atlanta thing a "series", it was more like a 4 game beatdown (more on that in a sec). The Lakers were never challenged against the Jazz like they were against Oklahoma City. After the high of the Thunder/Lakers duel, the Utah series was a total letdown. The third sweep, Phoenix over San Antonio, was at least a tad compelling. We had the side attraction of Los Suns, interesting games, and an underdog finally conquering one team's voodoo spell over them. But, that's 3 sweeps out of 4! Now, we're stuck without basketball for most of the next week... the West Finals don't start until next Monday. That's more than a week off for both teams! Well, at least there is hockey!

3) Best Performance - Rajon Rondo Game 3

-Bill Simmons has another interesting article in which he legitimately compares Rondo's Game 3 performance, and his numbers throughout this year's playoffs to Bird, Magic, Oscar, Wilt, and Jordan. Wow. That's basically the Mount Olympus of basketball players. Even when Mike Breen said we were watching one of the great Celtic playoff performances in history (Rondo's 29/18/13), it was hard to believe until you see the numbers that no other Celtic had ever had a game like that! Only Oscar and Wilt have had games as prodigious as Rondo. Regardless of who wins the Boston/Cleveland series, one thing is sure, the Rondo Era has begun in Boston.

4) Best Game - Game 6: Canadiens 4 Penguins 3

-One fair criticism of this year's playoffs is the lack of unbelievable games. The best game from the past few days has been the Canadiens surviving Game 6 and forcing a Game 7. The Montreal home crowd lifted the home team in an exciting, competitive game, and they were able to hold on at the end. Let's hope Game 7 provides just a little more drama.

5) Biggest Surprise - Not Closing The Deal

-Throughout these playoffs, the NHL version has been the antithesis of its NBA counterpart. Earlier in the playoffs we discussed the lack of home advantage in the NHL vs the NBA... now, NHL teams cannot close the deal in this round while NBA teams get the brooms out. 3 NHL teams (Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh) have had opportunities to close out series and none have taken the chance. The Hawks and Bruins even blew chances in their own arenas to move on to the Conference Finals. Yes, Philly and Vancouver played well to extend their series, but one has to think its only a matter of time before they bow out. It should surprise nobody if Chicago and Boston bounce back to close the deal on the road... or even if Montreal can beat Pittsburgh and shock the world again.

6) Biggest Playoff Beatdown - Atlanta Hawks

-This has to rank among the all-time great playoff beatdowns, meltdowns, or whatever synonym you can think of to describe a team quitting on its coach, franchise, and each other. Good God. Could Atlanta at least have made one game competitive? At least finished within double digits one time? Would that be so hard to ask? Anybody who thought this was the next young team to take shape and become a legit contender should pack their bags and move to the Chicago or OKC bandwagon. This was such a bad beatdown that I didn't consider watching a second of any game because it was obvious after Game 1 that Atlanta was ready to go fishing. They set a record by losing a 4 game series by 25 points a game! I think that the 3 of us could grab the Van Gundys and the 5 of us could be more competitive than that. At least Stan could probably push Dwight Howard out from the basket a little bit.

**By the way... the Hawks' embarrassment was so profound that it got us thinking about the worst playoff beatdowns of all-time. Stay tuned...**

7) Tuesday/Wednesday Picks

-We'll wrap up the Playoff Pulse by picking the decisive games coming up as we finish the Conference Semifinals...

NHL

Game 6 - Chicago @ Vancouver @ Chicago - Series 3-2 'Hawks (Tuesday)

-Really, but Vancouver hasn't looked close to winning a game at home this series. Chicago has more mental toughness, and will make up for their own lapse of intensity in Game 5. The Hawks go on to face the Sharks.

PICKS: Y1/Y2: Blackhawks

Game 7 - Montreal @ Pittsburgh - Series 3-3 (Wednesday)

-Yes, Halak has done it before, but Sidney Crosby is not Alex Ovechkin. Crosby has won a Stanley Cup and scored the game-winning goal in the Gold Medal Game of the Olympics. Also, don't discount Pittsburgh's victory on the road in Game 7 last year in Detroit to lift the Cup. They know what it takes to win these sort of games, and they know what Montreal will throw at them. The Pens will be ready... I think...

PICKS: Y1/Y2: Penguins

Game 6 - Boston @ Philadelphia - Series 3-2 Bruins (Wednesday)

-There might be nothing more difficult than picking an individual NHL playoff game. I think I've said that before. This series is a perfect example. Just when you think the Bruins are on their way, the Flyers make you think that a 3-0 comeback is possible. So, logic would dictate going against that and picking Boston. That's really the best I can do people!

PICKS: Y1: Bruins Y2: Flyers

NBA

Game 5 - Boston @ Cleveland - Series 2-2 (Tuesday)

-The defining player of this series has shifted from LeBron James to Rajon Rondo. Rondo has been the one putting up sick numbers and taking games over by himself. How will LBJ respond? My take is that he will man up (as the reports indicate) and try to stop Rondo himself while putting up his own ridiculous numbers on offense. This is the most important game of the playoffs so far in either sport, something tells me the King is ready.

PICKS: Y1/Y2: Cavs

NBA & NHL Playoff Pulse 2nd Round Weekend Deluxe

Last night's playoff action was a pivotal evening with one team staving off elimination, one team on the brink, one team getting back home court, and one team taking its second straight game on the road... and Goran Dragic! Today, the Playoff Pulse hits the NBA and NHL Playoffs to tell you what you need to know from last night's action and looks ahead to the pivotal weekend showdowns.

1) Biggest Winner - LeBron James

-For 3 days we've heard nothing but doom and gloom surrounding LeBron James, his elbow, and the Cavaliers. They lost homecourt, their star was injured, and the LeBron Era would go out with a whimper in Cleveland while Cavs fans watch him leave today for New York, New York. Whispers are even going around that LeBron might not even be good enough to ever win a title. Ok... maybe that was a little premature. For 3 days, LeBron had to sit and listen to this and wait for his chance for redemption. The Cavs needed to win Game 3 and they did... and then some. LBJ outscored the C's 21-17 in the 1st Quarter and led the Cavs to inflict the worst home playoff defeat in Boston. James ended with 38/8/7 and reclaimed homecourt, but more importantly he got his mojo back.

2) Biggest Loser - San Antonio Spurs

-It's been a roller coaster year for San Antonio. Before the season started, we imagined them challenging the Lakers with their astute addition of Richard Jefferson. Then, an injury filled, subpar regular season had them 7th and an afterthought in the postseason. THEN, they beat the Mavs again and looked to be back on track with the emergence of George Hill and DeJuan Blair to help out the Spurs core. In the 2nd round, they faced a team they've bullied the entire decade - the Phoenix Suns. Shockingly, the Spurs have been in all of the games against Phoenix, but have seemed to run out of gas at the end and are on the brink of getting swept. The Suns' energy and improved bench play might finally be enough to see them conquer the Alamo.

3) Best Performance - Jonathan Toews

-Yes, there were flashier performances and probably more memorable ones... but, Jonathan Toews gets our nod for leading the Blackhawks to their second straight win in Vancouver with a hat trick in Chicago's 7-4 win. Toews scored all 3 of his points on the power play and also added 2 assists to take over the scoring lead in the NHL Playoffs. Toews, 22, gets lost in the shuffle of Crosby and Ovechkin, but his leadership from the front has brought the Blackhawks from despair to an appearance in the Conference Finals.

4) Best Game - Game 4: Flyers 5 Bruins 4 F/OT

-With the other 3 games being blowouts, this is an easy choice with the Flyers surviving against the Bruins and getting their first win in the series. Simon Gagne made his first appearance in the series and scored in OT to give the Flyers the win. It's a nice story and a good day for Philly fans... but expect it to be their only joy in this series. The Bruins will win Game 5 and set up a possible grudge match in the Conference Finals with the Pens (remember Matt Cooke knocking out Marc Savard) provided they get by Montreal.

5) Biggest Surprise - Goran Dragic?? Really??

-One of the most underrated cool things about the playoffs is when a guy comes from out of nowhere to put on the performance of a lifetime. That happened last night in Game 3 in San Antonio where little known Goran Dragic scored 23 of his 26 points in the 4th Quarter to pass and put away the Spurs. The 2nd year player from Yugoslavia had what Grant Hill called the best 4th quarter playoff performance he'd ever seen. Considering that the Spurs are 4 for 4 against the Suns in the playoffs since 2003... Dragic's heroics in putting Phoenix up 3-0 was a big deal. The Suns have always lacked that player that could lift the team behind Steve Nash - problem solved.

6) Highlight Play - LeBron's Alley Oop Lay In

-While not a posterization or a chasedown block, this play shows LeBron's sick athletic ability as he's able to take a short lob pass and flip it up and in...

7) Weekend Picks

-We'll wrap up the Playoff Pulse by picking all of the weekend games in the NHL and NBA Playoffs and Y2 joins me for our Weekend Preview...

NHL

Game 5 - Montreal @ Pittsburgh - Series 2-2 - Saturday 7PM

-There might be nothing more difficult than picking an individual NHL playoff game. We established a couple days ago that homeice teams are actually below .500 this year. The most important game of the playoffs for the defending champs is tonight in Game 5 against the Cinderella Canadiens. It's time for the Pens' stars to step up and win a game in the 3rd period. Tonight is the night for Crosby and Malkin to shine.

PICKS: Y1/Y2: Pens

Game 5 - Detroit @ San Jose - Series 3-1 Sharks - Saturday 10PM

-Thanks to the 4 goal effort of Detroit's Mule, Johan Franzen, the Red Wings are still alive against the West's best team. San Jose has a history of shaky playoff play, but they've been able to ride the hot hand of Joe Pavelski to a 3-1 lead. Still, the Red Wings are the defending conference champs, and that series-clinching victory is always the hardest. So, even on the road, I'll favor the veteran Wings to extend the series.

PICKS: Y1: Sharks Y2: Red Wings

Game 5 - Vancouver @ Chicago - Series 3-1 'Hawks - Sunday 8PM

-The Canucks have looked for revenge against the Blackhawks in the playoffs since their defeat to Chicago in this round last year. But, too much sloppy play has led to penalties, which has led to the Blackhawks cashing in on the power play, including 4 in Game 4. Both of us agree that the Canucks look a defeated team, and if the 'Hawks can keep up the pressure on Roberto Luongo, Chicago should close out the Canucks in five.

PICKS: Y1/Y2: Blackhawks

NBA

Game 3 - Orlando @ Atlanta - Series 2-0 Magic - Saturday 5PM

-Ugh. Will anyone watch this game? Orlando swept Charlotte, and they'll continue their run through the southeast by sweeping Atlanta, who has absolutely no answer for Superman. Normally you would expect a team in Atlanta's spot to bounceback... but the Hawks don't seem to have that type of attitude, and this is a terrible matchup for them. I would be shocked if the Hawks win a game in this series... I wonder if we'll hear anyone talk about the Magic going fo fo fo to get to the Finals?

PICKS: Y1/Y2: Magic

Game 3 - LA Lakers @ Utah - Series 2-0 Lakers - Saturday 8PM

-This series has looked remarkably similar to the Lakers' first round series against the Thunder. They were tested at home, but not challenged or threatened greatly in holding serve. They'll face another great home crowd in Utah. The Jazz have a better chance of winning Game 3 than Game 4, so they get one tonight, but it doesn't seem like they have enough firepower to get through the Lakers.

PICKS: Y1/Y2: Jazz

Game 4 - Cleveland @ Boston - Series 2-1 Cavs - Sunday 3:30PM

-The series nearest to my hear, the Celtics got embarrassed on their home court by a Cavs team who finally looked the part of a champion in these playoffs. It seems Game 4 comes down to two factors. First, if LeBron comes out with the same aggressive mentality from the beginning of the game in Game 4 that he did in Game 3, the Celtics have no chance. Balky elbow or not, James is unstoppable when he decides to be. But, the Celtics defense can also play a part by showing up. Second, the Celtics need consistent contributions from all of their top 4 players, most of all Finals MVP Paul Pierce, who aside from a 32 point outburst in Game 3 versus the Heat, is only averaging around 15 PPG in the playoffs. Y1 thinks the former champs will bounce back, while I believe King James is ready to begin his coronation as the ruler of the playoffs.

PICKS: Y1: Celtics Y2: Cavs

Game 4 - Phoenix @ San Antonio - Series 3-0 Suns - Sunday 8PM

-Nobody, not even the diehard Suns fans (if there are such people) saw this one coming. Regardless of what you think about Los Suns, perhaps that has unified and rallied this team together. In fairness though, they have looked like they have had great chemistry all year long with a starting unit and bench that need each other. For the Suns, it's been guys like Jared Dudley and Goran Dragic that look like getting Phoenix back to the Conference Finals. Tough to see Tim Duncan getting swept, but it either happens in Game 4 or 5, so why not just get it over with now, right?

PICKS: Y1: Suns Y2: Spurs

NBA Playoff Pulse: NBA Playoffs So Far

After a week-long blogging sabbatical, I'm back to take a look at the NBA Playoffs so far with our Playoff Pulse. The Playoff Pulse is a regular look at the NBA and NHL Playoffs where we'll analyze the best performances, biggest winners and losers, and as always unique opinions about the big stories in Playoff Time. With one round in the books and the 2nd Round just getting underway, let's look at the Playoff Pulse of the Association.

1) Biggest Winner - Boston Celtics

-Through 7 games played... who would have thought that the aging, dilapidated, broken down Celtics would melt the Heat AND steal homecourt advantage from the Cavaliers. The Celtics resurgence has been nothing short of staggering. Suddenly, they look like the team that won the title 2 years ago instead of the coasting bunch of over the hill players we saw throughout the season. It's not so much that they "turned the switch on" but that they are finally healthy for the first time in more than a year. It's also that the team is relying more on the playmaking abilities of Rajon Rondo instead of hanging on to the Big 3. The Celtics now have a great chance of upsetting the Cavs (more on them in a minute) and going even farther.

2) Biggest Loser - The East... Again

-Another year... another year of great games and great drama out West, and an unremarkable first round in the East. I mean, come on, did Charlotte or Chicago even need to show up for the first round? Yes, Milwaukee put up a valiant fight, but that was awful basketball to watch at times against the Hawks... and we've seen that Atlanta's goal in R2 should be to just finish within 40 points of the Magic each game... and the Heat crumbled in spite of Dwyane Wade. Orlando awaits the winner of the Cavs and Celtics again while the rest of the Eastern seaboard waits for another team to just be competitive and interesting. This year there were 8 West teams that reached 50 wins and only 4 East teams. We keep hearing these things are cyclical and the East will rise again... but I'm wondering if that day will ever come.

3) Best Performance - Dwyane Wade Game 4 vs Boston

-Yes, the Heat were eliminated in the next game, but Wade's remarkable Game 4 performance has been the only transcendent performance in this year's playoffs so far. Wade scored a remarkable 46 points in 43 minutes, many against double and triple teams in the 2nd half and 4th quarter. The pictures of Wade talking to his flame-throwing hand was awesome. Miami fans have to wonder if it was his last great performance in a Heat jersey.

4) Best Game - Game 6: Lakers 95 Thunder 94

-This game is what playoff basketball is all about. The young challengers to the throne throwing everything they have at the team at the top. An insane home crowd that made the incredible atmosphere leap through the TV screen. Drama throughout the game. A spirited comeback. And then, a buzzer beating tip-in by Pau Gasol and an escape from the champs. This series (and Lebron's elbow) have defined the playoffs thus far and shows what's so great about playoff basketball. It also showed that the Lakers won't be giving up their title easily.

5) Biggest Surprise - The Cavs Find A New Way To Disappoint Cleveland

-Ok, maybe this shouldn't be a surprise.

In Ohio, the sky is falling. The Cavs have lost homecourt advantage to the C's. Lebron's elbow is the most talked about injury since Dwight Freeney's ankle. Mo Williams is choking in the clutch again. Shaq sucks. Role players are disappearing. And, Mike Brown still hasn't figured out how to coach his team properly. But, this year it is a surprise because we expected Lebron to have righted the ship, gotten his team focused for an entire playoff run, and that the Cavs wouldn't let this happen again with Lebron on the open market this summer. Wake up Cleveland, it is happening again. The role players need to step up... but so does Lebron James. If he really wants to be the best in the world and win a title, he needs to man up, forget this elbow thing, forget free agency, and forget fancy MVP ceremonies and go win a title.

6) Highlight Play - Russell Westbrook Posterizes Lamar Kardashian

-This isn't only a cool play and an awesome posterization, but it said something about the arrival of Russell Westbrook and the Thunder. Even with Kevin Durant struggling, the Thunder challenged the Lakers through 6 games and showed they belonged amongst the elites of the NBA. Westbrook also showed that he could step up and help Kevin Durant lead the Thunder to even greater heights...

7) Biggest Story - Home Court >>> Home Ice

-The biggest story throughout these playoffs on the hardwood and the ice has been the distinct advantage that homecourt offers in the NBA as opposed to the NHL. In the NBA, only two higher seeds were upset in the first round, and neither were surprises. Dallas lost to San Antonio like they usually do, and Denver without George Karl was beaten by Utah. Road teams were 11/45 in Round 1 in the NBA. That's a 24% winning percentage and keep in mind that includes a sweep by the Magic and wins in 5 and 6 games by multiple teams. Lower seeded teams only won 3 games on opponent's home floors.

Compare that to the NHL where road teams won an amazing 26/47 games in R1! That's 55% meaning you have a better chance of winning on the road than at home. Lower seeded teams won a remarkable 14 games on the road including Game 7 wins by Detroit over Phoenix and incredibly the 8th seeded Canadians winning in Washington, who had the best regular season record in the NHL. Could you have imagined the Bulls doing that in Cleveland? Of course not.

So, what does this boil down to? A few factors I believe...

1) Crowds have a much larger effect in the NBA on teams... and referees. Watch the 2nd quarter of Game 2 of the Cavs/Celtics and see how much help the refs were trying to give the Cavs or how much a great home crowd lifts teams. Whether it's a vast conspiracy or not, home teams in the NBA have a big advantage.

2) The NHL Playoffs are more dependent on current form, a la a hot goalie (like Montreal's Jarolslav Halak stonewalling the Caps and making 41 saves in Game 7 while Montreal managed 16 shots the entire game). Rarely can a player on an inferior team carry his group to victory in a 7 game series in the NBA when you're going against the Kobes and Lebrons of the world. In the NHL, the Ovechkins and Crosbys are on the ice for 1/3 of the game and have much less of the puck than Lebron or Kobe.

3) The elite NBA teams are just better. Parity in the NHL is much more prevalent than in the NBA where we have known since before the season started that the Lakers, Cavs, Celtics, Magic, and Spurs would be in the mix at the end.

So, it does make for an exciting and unpredictable Stanley Cup Playoffs... but also a more intense NBA Playoffs where each home game is so critical to keep or take homecourt advantage.

That does it for our Playoff Pulse. We'll be back tomorrow to check in on tonight's action! Bye for now...

NBA Playoff Pulse - Live Report from Celtics/Cavs Game 2

As part of our coverage of the NBA Playoffs, yours truly was fortunate enough to take in Game 2 of the Celtics and Cavs last night from "Deep in the Q"...also known as Quicken Loans Arena. While many expected the old tired Celtics to roll over for the Cavs, Boston hit back last night with a dominant 104-86 win. Here now are my first-hand thoughts from being in the arena last night.

*Rajon Rondo is the best player on the Celtics...and it isn't even close.

-Rondo tied a Celtics record last night with 19 assists as he dominated every aspect of the game from start to finish. Sure, Rondo still has issues with questionable decision making and lack of confidence in his jump shot, but the scary thing is he still hasn't reached his ceiling as a player. The presence of the Big 3 helps, but Rondo is now the man on this team. If the Celtics want to win another title, Rondo will have to lead from the front. One thing's for sure, if Rondo continues to make strides in his game, he'll be a Top 10 player in the league for years to come.

*LeBron James may have played his worst playoff game last night.

-It wasn't so much the statistics that tell this story. The King still had 24/7/4, but it was his demeanor throughout the game that was troubling. He spent much of the first 3 quarters deferring to his teammates while again seeming to play with cautious concern over his elbow injury. Even his speech after receiving the MVP trophy seemed subdued as 20,000 plus waved their towels and screamed uncontrollably. If the Cavs have any hope of winning a title, LeBron has to get back to playing with the aggression and determination fans are used to seeing.

*That being said, the most important player for the Cavs is Mo Williams.

-Every Batman needs his Robin, and of all the pieces added around King James (Shaq, Anthony Parker, Antawn Jamison) the most important piece to the Cavs title formula is Mo Williams. Although his scoring burst helped rescue Game 1, Mo struggled mightily last night going 1/9 and scoring 4 points. More than that, he played like a defeated man as Rajon Rondo continued to rip him to shreds. Mo struggled last year against Orlando, and has to raise his game to avoid a repeat.

*The floating corpse on the court wasn't Rasheed Wallace, it was Shaq.

-This was my first experience seeing Shaq in person, and even from the upper deck, the man is a mountain. Funny that David Stern also seemed very short in person as well, but I digress. After his performance though, it might be time for Shaq to ride the pine. For all the talk of the age of the Celtics Big 3, the oldest looking player on the court was the Big Aristotle. His only move now is to back down his defender and dunk, he's lost all touch on his jump hook, and the Cavs would be much better off playing the more athletic J.J. Hickson, who scored 13 points in 19 minutes.

Meanwhile, the demise of Rasheed Wallace was greatly exaggerated. 'Sheed, perhaps responding to Doc Rivers calling him out in the media, scored 17 points and was the key to finally getting some contribution from the Boston 2nd unit. To show how bad 'Sheed has been, he scored 21 points in his previous 6 playoff games combined with the Celtics. He still has to improve defensively, but a little 'Sheed could go a long way if the Celtics want to advance.

*The people who want and deserve a title more than anyone are the Cavs fans.

-It's truly a sight to behold to see 20,000 people standing as one, waving rally towels, and blowing the decibel meter above 100 on a regular basis. Even as the Cavs were scuttling, their fans were with them every step of the way. I'd go as far to say the crowd was the biggest factor in cutting the Celtics 25 point lead to 10 in the final minutes. And even though there were cheesy prompts to elicit boos like Michigan and Yankees logos on the scoreboard, the Cavs fans were amazing, showing how much they want and need a championship.

*Other Random Crowd Notes:

-The second loudest individual cheer of the night...Bernie Kosar. It goes to show you the only thing that would mean more to Cleveland than a Cavs title is a Browns Super Bowl.

-In a sign of how far our educational system has fallen, the Cavs scoreboard has a helpful feature called "The Diff", which automatically gives the difference in score, ridding the need for fans to perform difficult 2nd grade math like subtraction.

-Once the game was in doubt though, it looked like a silent fire alarm had been pulled as fans gushed towards the exit. At least all those people were able to beat the 2,000 folks at the Indians/Blue Jays game to their cars.

*The Cavs should still win the series, but not due to a lack of effort from the Celtics.

-No player was more intense in everything they did last night than Kevin Garnett. From his steely determination in warmups, to his almost neurotic pacing during the Anthem and LeBron's MVP coronation, KG still has a competitive fire that burns more brightly than any other player. Add that to the poise of Ray Allen and the determination of Paul Pierce, and the Celtics won't be going away. But....the Cavs are still the more talented team, and if they awake from their slumber (and Mike Brown gives coaching a try) the Cavs should still pull this out in 7. Unfortunately for both of these teams, neither might be a match for the Orlando Magic when it's all said and done.

That's my take from being there, live at the Q. Make sure to keep up with our thoughts and analysis of the NBA and NHL playoffs. Don't forget to let us know what you think by posting a comment below or following us on Twitter @RSS_Sports. Until next time, it's bye for now.

NHL Playoff Pulse - Round 2 Picks

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, we are going to talk some NHL on Randall Simon's Sausages. Now that we've hit Round 2, it's time for us to focus in on the NHL and NBA Playoffs. We'll have a regular feature called our Playoff Pulse, which will keep you updated with the best performances, biggest chokes, and most interesting observations on the ice and hardwood. It's the perfect place for fans to come who love playoff action! So, with that, let's preview the Conference Semis in the NHL!

Eastern Conference

(4) Pittsburgh vs. (8) Washington

-The lone Top 4 seed to advance out of the 1st round of the East just happens to be the defending Stanley Cup Champs, the Pittsburgh Penguins. But, instead of the dream matchup with Ovechkin's Capitals, it's Jaroslav Halak and the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens were able to pull the upset based on large part to Halak standing on his head, timely and tough defense, and a lack of heart from the Caps. Unfortunately for those north of the border, the Pens don't suffer from such a problem. Add to that Malkin and Crosby playing as well as they have all year, and this one should be over soon. Pick: Pens in 5

(6) Boston vs. (7) Philadelphia

-A running theme in these playoffs has been rookie goalies rising to the occasion, one of which is Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask. Rask is stepping in for Tim Thomas and has proved cool under pressure, even outdueling Olympic hero Ryan Miller in Round 1. Meanwhile, the Flyers dominated the 2nd seeded Devils in Round 1 and are being led from the front by their two best players, Chris Pronger and Mike Richards. However, the difference in the series will be the return of Bruins C Marc Savard from a concussion, one of the most underrated players in the league. Pick: Bruins in 7

Western Conference

(1) San Jose vs. (5) Detroit

-Sure, San Jose got past their 1st round bugaboo, but their reward is facing the defending Western Conference champion Red Wings. The Wings reminded me a lot of the Spurs this season, coasting just enough to get in, and then raising their game in the postseason to down a game Coyotes team on the road in Game 7. The emerging star for the Sharks is Joe Pavelski, who is tied for the playoff lead with 7 goals and has surpassed Olympic teammates Heatley, Marleau, and Thornton. Add to that the Wings are starting another rookie goalie in Jimmy Howard, and this looks like a golden opportunity for the Sharks...but, then again, these are the Red Wings. And, as the series gets longer, their veterans will be enough to pull them through with another Game 7 win on the road. Pick: Wings in 7

(2) Chicago vs. (3) Vancouver

-This is the series with the most anticipation because, frankly, these two teams don't like each other. The Blackhawks dumped Vancouver out of the playoffs last year thanks to a Patrick Kane hat-trick, and there have been several incidents between the teams throughout the regular season. Both teams have dynamic offenses with Vancouver led by Ryan Kesler and the Sedin twins while the Blackhawks have their young guns of Kane, Toews, and their new acquisition Marian Hossa. The goaltending matchup is also surprisingly even with the much heralded Roberto Luongo battling Hawks rookie Antti Niemi, both of whom can range from superb to subpar. However, the difference will be in the special teams, where the Blackhawks have dominated so far in the playoffs on the power play and penalty kill. Pick: Hawks in 7

There's our attempt at covering the NHL, and we're all still in one piece, right? Join us throughout for our regular recaps and look aheads in both the NHL and NBA. We'll be back to reset heading into Round 2 of the NBA playoffs soon as well. Until then, it's bye for now!