Hoops

Eastern conference finals - predictions? (Spoiler?

Hey Quagmire,
KG did have a big one today. Might be that he took Bill Simmons article to heart: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3403820

Having said that, I can see why people knock his clutch play. At times I think it is just a case of him getting TOO MUCH adrenaline at big moments. But overall I think people should lay off him, because the Celtics are nowhere without him. He just does sooo much else for his team throughout a game, he really is phenomenal.

To answer your question about Ray and Paul, he has got them (and everyone else) a lot of good looks this year. Paul has been almost nonchalant in scoring his points quite often, because KG takes away so much attention from him.

In the playoffs, the Celtics have really struggled to get a good offensive rhythm in most games. There are a lot of reasons for this, but I don't consider KG one of them.

He often sets high picks for Paul, Ray and Rondo. Paul generally gets a lot of points by taking advantage of these picks, using them to turn the corner and take it to the basket or pull up for a J.

On the other hand, in the playoffs, Ray has struggled to take advantage of these same picks, with his man often getting over the pick and keeping him from penetrating or getting an open look.

Unfortunately, the Celtics don't run enough double screens IMO to free Ray up curling around via the baseline (Reggie Miller style). During the season, the best scoring plays for Ray were as a trailer on the break or after a kick out from Rondo or Pierce. Because both Atlanta and Cleveland have really packed the key, that has not been happening enough in the playoffs and when it has, Ray's shot has just been really horrible.

As far as bias goes, well you got me, yes I am a Celtic lover. I recognise that most neutrals would pick Rip and Chauncey as a better combo than Rondo and Allen, but like I said, I think this series could well come down to how those matchups go. I'm hoping I'm biased AND right, because if Rondo and Allen play well, the Celtics are going to the Finals!

If you get a chance to watch the ECF keep an eye on Rondo and let me know what you think. He frequently blows my mind with the plays he can make and his speed makes me think of a raw Tony Parker just before he broke out a few years back.

Beantown;

Sorry for the KG sledge, but he is frustrating me right now with his lack of crunch. Hey, maybe he will score 20+ for the series and i'll eat my words.

It's hard to make a call on KG having not seen him play all that much. Duncan i have seen play and even if he scores only 15-20pts, you know he is the reason parker and gino get so many looks.

Is this happening for Ray and Paul? From what i've seen it really isnt, allen would be shooting much better than he is if he were getting open looks, and all the paul highlights i've seen have him scoring in a one-on-one...

And dude- no love shown for the detroit back court...
Machups could go either way? Serious? Really showing your bias there man, billups and rip will carve.

Quagmire:

Sure Wallace can draw a big guy away from the paint, but that also means he isn't a threat on the offensive glass.

I think the Celtics will send Perkins at Wallace as well as Garnett and even when it is Garnett who is drawn out, the Pistons will find Perkins is very solid defensively.

I'll agree that Pierce didn't go off against Detroit this year, but watching the games, he was getting the shots he wanted, just didn't knock them down in 2 of the 3 games. He contributed well during the game overall and to me, didn't seem bothered by Prince at all. Prince on the other hand averaged 5 pts @ 23% !!!

I haven't got time to look up the stats, but I have watched several games over the past few years where Pierce dominated the SF position in games against Detroit.

Also, don't know where you get the idea KG is a 15/13 guy at best. His playoff avg this year is 20/9.9 and all time (playoffs) it is 22/12.6

Wallace's career playoff pts/rebs is just 15/6.7 (and it is even less this year).

Wallace is a good player, but there is no reason to think Wallace will shut KG down. If anything, it will be the opposite. KG is still a top 5 dominant player in the league. I watched him average 24 ppg vs Wallace this year and he shot over the guy at will.

I think this series will still be close though. Detroit has a lot more experience together in playoff games than the Celtics do and the Celtics lack of experience (esp. Rondo, Perkins, Powe, Big Baby) has really hurt them so far (too many mistakes in pressure situtations). This could cost them against a team that has shown its ability to execute at key times. The backcourt matchups will also be huge for this series, because I think both PG and SG matchups could go either way.

Beantown- Pierce averaged 15.0 points on 35 percent shooting against Detroit in three regular-season games.

Big Marty- "KG will average 20/10 across the series; Allen will play 2 games scoring 30+ppg "
I was just going to ask what drugs your on and how do i get my hands on em.

KG is not a 20/10 guy. He is a 15/13 guy at best.

If he doesn't close out on Rasheed expect treys and in tight, defensive, games a string of treys can kill you. If he does get out to Rasheed, celtic D takes a bit hit in the paint.
My prediction- close games, decided by this match-up in closing moments. Either Rasheed hits or misses.

C'mon Rasheed!!!!

It will be exciting if there are ROAD WINS!. This "home court" victory crap is boring the shite out of me. Was nice to see LA finally break the drought, but I'd prefer to see another Boston-Cavs series with the comeback from behind to tie @ 6 games scenario.

Mark: so either Boston or Detroit will get homecourt in the series? What makes you say that?!?! LOL

No chance Quagmire. Prince never plays well against Boston because Pierce is too big and strong for him. He lost his matchup with Pierce in all 3 games this year. Nothing has changed in the last 4 years.

Wallace will do as good a job as anyone on Garnett, but he won't shut Garnett down. KG can score on anyone in this league when he wants to. My only concern with him is that he does not always take the best shot option at the end of games.

Billups has a bulk and experience advantage over Rondo, but I have a lot of faith in the Rajon Cajun. He will cause Billups as many problems as Billups causes him.

Hamilton could cause us problems though, as Ray has done a LOT of work chasing Johnson and (omg) EVEN Wally) for 14 games. But I'm not worried, Hamilton will shatter into a million pieces the first time Perkins steps out aggressively on a pick! LOL

If anything gets the Celtics it will be fatigue and poor offensive execution. Should be a good series but I think my Celtics will prevail 4-3. (Gotta keep that road streak alive!)

Well, Pierce scored 40ish in game 7 to somewhat mitigate Lebron; goes to show that they can fire up, but lately they've seemed too lax, it's hard to actually put confidence in them winning games.

Anyone notice how Tayshaun Prince has the head of a chimp? Always strikes me as rather chimp-like.

Anywho, Celtics in 7 games; as I hate Detroit but realise they can actually play.

KG will average 20/10 across the series; Allen will play 2 games scoring 30+ppg and die in the arse over the other 5.

Pierce will cry when the Celtics lose their first home finals game, then do the happy dance when they get it back in Detroit.

i was just on the sixers website...and was very disappointed to find that although jacob is listed as an (I/O) player, when trying to list him as an inside player...ie with 3 other outside players, the site will not let you...to me, jacob is defintely an inside player as you only have to look at where he scores 90% of his points...so why not just list him as an inside player, or get the site fixed, so that those sensible selectors like me can select 3 outside players....the guy leads the league in rebounds for gods sake...
having said that, that is the only disappointment in an otherwise well set up site.
please fix.

I'm predicting Detroit, 4-3. Boston have been stretched this playoff series, I don't know if they've got enough in the tank if their big 3 don't all play well.

Really sorry anon. Like, gutted sorry man.


Rasheed wallace Kent, not Ben.

Watch him drag Garnett away from the paint by stroking the trey. Leave the key open for Billups, prince and of course Rip.

Also- I still have doubts about the celtic coaching staff...

Holy crap! totally forgot the spoiler element!!! so sorry if i stuffed it for anyone. Totally my bad.