Deadspin
As one would probably expect from this season, the Eastern Conference NBA playoff matchups are less compelling than the Western Conference, and we're not just saying that because we're in Los Angeles right now. Personally, we're kind of sad David Stern didn't extend a sort of courtesy invite to the Knicks; it would have been fun to watch them combust for four more games. Larry Brown would have never survived.
Anyway, here's a look at views from around the Web on the four Eastern Conference matchups.
Pistons vs. Bucks
• Bill Simmons: Pistons in five.
• Daily Quickie: Pistons in four.
• YAYSports!: Pistons in four
• J.E. Skeets: Pistons in four.
• Gilbert's Arena: Pistons in four.
• Complete Sports: Pistons in five.
• Chris Sheridan: Pistons in four.
• Deadspin: Pistons in five.
Heat vs. Bulls
• Bill Simmons: Heat in six.
• Daily Quickie: Heat in five.
• YAYSports!: Heat in seven.
• J.E. Skeets: Heat in five.
• Gilbert's Arena: Heat in five.
• Complete Sports: Heat in five.
• Chris Sheridan: Heat in five.
• Deadspin: Heat in six.
Nets vs. Pacers
• Bill Simmons: Nets in four.
• Daily Quickie: Nets in five.
• YAYSports!: Nets in four.
• J.E. Skeets: Nets in seven.
• Gilbert's Arena: Nets in six.
• Complete Sports: Nets in seven.
• Chris Sheridan: Nets in seven.
• Deadspin: Pacers in six.
Cavaliers vs. Wizards
• Bill Simmons: Cavaliers in seven.
• Daily Quickie: Wizards in seven.
• YAYSports!: Cavaliers in seven.
• J.E. Skeets: Cavaliers in seven.
• Gilbert's Arena: Wizards in six.
• Complete Sports: Cavaliers in seven.
• Chris Sheridan: Cavaliers in seven.
• Deadspin: Wizards in six.
Let's hear your funky predictions in the comments.
Comments
Lez Boulez in 6. Anyone who thinks the Cavs will win hasn't seen the majesty that is Arenas in action
Pistons in 5 Heat in 4 Nets in 7 Wizards in 6
Cavs-Whizz is the only intriguing one. The other ones are uglier than Heidi Klum's baby.
Pistons in 4 Heat in 5 Pacers in 7 Wizards in 7
Pistons vs. Bucks: 'stons in 6 Heat vs. Bulls: Heat in 6 Nets vs. Pacers: Nets in 4 Cavaliers vs. Wizards: Lebron's in 7 I hate Jersey, but for some reason they seem like they are going to do some damage in the playoffs this year. If they don't, Kidd's wife is in trouble. Ouch.
Admit it Will, you picked the Pacers and Wizards becasue no one else did (well, throw out the homer pick on the Wiz). Not enough juevos to pick the Bulls or the Bucks?
Bulls. Bulls. Pistons. Spurs.
Pistons in 4 Heat in 5 Pacers in 7 Wizards in 5
I'm stoked for Cavs-Wiz, too. Arenas is going to come up with some ginormous clutch shots (aided, no doubt, by the Cavs' semi-Sonic defense), but I'm hoping for a superhuman effort from LeBron. I just want spectacle. p.s. Seriously, Will? The Pacers? You know they traded Artest, right?
THESE are the playoff matchups? ugh, perhaps the Stanley Cup playoffs will be a better watch.
Heat in 3!!!
Homer Alert: Weezards in 6. Gilbert Arenas is my second basketball boyfriend.
i predict nobody west of the Mississippi will watch any of them, unless they happen to be in a room and the tv is already on.
Hey, I'm with you on the Pacers. But shall we remain united? Pacers in 6 Heat in 5 Wizards in 7 Pistons in 4
Pistons in 5 Heat in 5 Nets in 7 Wizards in 6
Cavs in 6 ... they were like 31-10 at home this year and they have home-court. Just cause there aren't going to be any other upsets in the first round doesn't mean this is going to be one.
My crazy predictions Pistons vs. Bucks: Pistons in 6 - they can't all be crazy predictions. Heat vs. Bulls: Bulls in 7 - all about the Ben Gordon. Nets vs. Pacers: Nets in 6 - eh. I've got no feeling for this one. Cavaliers vs. Wizards: Gilbert Arenas in 7 - he's Harry Potter, remember?
Isn't this what is frustrating about the NBA, though? There are *rarely* any upsets. Only 2 # 8 seeds have ever won a series against a #1. . The Knicks in '99, and the Nuggets back in '94, I think it was. It's a drag. Everyone knows the Finals wil be Spurs/Pistons, which will surely bore the heck out of everyone. Whereas in the NHL, #8 seeds regularly upset the #1 seed. Don't worry, the Wizards will still turn into Choking Dogs yet.
DET: 4 MIA: 4 IND: 7 WIZ: 7 Series MVP's: Billups, Wade, Stojakovic, Arenas.
Pistons/Bucks: Dear Milwaukee: Pick up your ~$150K playoff share at the door, and it was nice seeing you. Pistons in 4. Heat/Bulls: Do the Bulls match up anywhere position-by-position? Heat in 5. Nets/Pacers: Peja Stojakovic is clutch. Pacers in 6. Wizards/Cavaliers: LeBron will average 40 and lose. Gilbert will average 60, bowl 300, and give the Cavaliers' bench a middle finger as they win. Wizards in 6.
Cavs in 5. Lebron is too unstoppable
Pistons in five (Bucks will get game 3 at the Bradley Center) Heat in six Nets in six Wizards in five (Gil has the second half of his life after drawing back to back inside straights at halftime.)
HE, CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT DAY THE K-N-I-C-K-S PLAY??
My picks are up on End of the Bench. I didn't read a single persons predictions before I made mine, so some of them are completely different from the consensus you guys posted above from some other writers. Heck, I didn't even listen to TBJ episodes I was on (until after I wrote my predictions, of course).
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