The Celtics are back. They have gone from an aging, old team to a true championship contender in a matter of 2 weeks. They didn't do very well last year because KG was hurt. This year, it looked like they were old and on the way down. They had an inconsistent regular season and finished 11 games behind the Cavs and 9 games behind the Magic in the Eastern standings. Fourth seed just didn't seem good enough for this team. But they have been great in these playoffs. While the Magic have the impressive scoreboard, they have really not played anybody until this round. The Celtics on the other hand, have played good defense, unleashed a true superstar in Rajon Rondo and eliminated the King. The big 3 of course can't bring it day in and day out anymore, but they don't have to because they now have a big 4 and good role players.
Today, they won a huge road game to open the Eastern finals and played stellar defense. They harassed Dwight Howard and did not give him even an inch. He had to fight and struggle for everything he got and ended up a frustrated young man. They have a lot of big bodies to throw at Howard - Big Baby and Rasheed Wallace and Perkins and KG. I see the same toughness and defense that got them the championship in 2008. Carter and Jameer Nelson had decent games, but the Magic will be done if they can't get Howard untracked. It's now time for Van Gundy and Howard to come up with some adjustments for game 2. They need him at both ends of the floor to win this series. I have to pick Boston in 6 to take this one. I don't really care who wins this series, but I am a little excited to see Boston play like this because may be they are the only team that can dethrone the Lakers with their toughness and defense - just like they did in 2008.
Of course the previous sentence almost suggests that the Lakers will beat my Suns and get to the Finals. My heart say not, but my brain says probably yes to that scenario. My heart picks the Suns in 6, but my brain says Lakers in 6. The series starts tomorrow in LA and it's going to be a good one. There may be a blowout or 2, but I am sure there will be a couple of great games. The Suns need a great start tomorrow. They can't get blown out tomorrow just for their psychological well-being. They have to show to themselves and the others that they belong and can compete. They lost 3 out of 4 games during the season and in couple of those games in LA, I felt like the Suns didn't really believe they can beat the Lakers. It seemed like they were expecting to lose. They can't do that tomorrow or in any of the games this series. Hopefully, they won't suffer from that mind-set after all the success and confidence from the second half of the season and the great playoff run so far.
The Lakers have size and Kobe. Suns have no answer for either, though I am sure Grant Hill will try and even succeed sometimes in slowing down Kobe a little. Bynum's bad knee and Robin Lopez's return hopefully levels the field a little bit, but will that be enough is the real question. The big problem for the Suns is the Lakers length at both ends of the floor. It really hurts Amare at both ends. He gets in foul trouble at one ned and their length bothers him at the other. I think the Suns hopes in this series depends on Amare outplaying Pau. If Amare wins that duel, the Suns can put a lot of pressure on the Lakers. We will get some of these answers tomorrow. If the Cavs can be eliminated in the East, why can't the Suns kick the Lakers out? My hopes are up! I am going with my heart and picking the Suns to win this in 6.
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