2010 NBA Conference Finals Predictions
The NBA’s final four is in place as the Eastern Conference Finals got underway last night and game one of the Western Conference Finals tips off tonight. Here is a brief preview of each conference match-up along with the current odds for each team to win it all.
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Eastern Conference Finals
#4 Boston Celtics (3-1) vs. #2 Orlando Magic (27-10)
The resurgent Boston Celtics have been the biggest surprise of this year’s playoffs as they suddenly have regained their championship form of two years ago. After eliminating the #5 seed Miami Heat in five games in the first round, they set their sights on taking out the #1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference semifinals.
After losing game one 101-93, they shocked the Cavs in game two with a dominating 104-86 win on the road. With the series tied at two games apiece, the Celtics’ defense rose to the occasion by holding LeBron James and the Cavaliers under 90 points in the next two games.
They won game five 120-88 and clinched the series with a 94-85 win in game six.
Orlando came into this series on a roll after sweeping Charlotte in four straight games in the first round and Atlanta in four straight in the semifinals. In game one of this series on Sunday night, they had no answer for the Celtics’ stifling defense and saw their 14 game winning streak dating back to April 2nd come to an end in an 88-92 loss. They were able to erase a 20 point deficit with a fourth quarter rally, but their comeback attempt fell short by three.
Western Conference Finals
#1 Los Angeles Lakers (7-5) vs. #3 Phoenix Suns (11-2)
LA appears to be back to their old selves has they are once again in great position to win another World Title. While it took them six games to eliminate Oklahoma City in the first round, they had no problem getting past Utah in the semifinals, eliminating the Jazz with four straight wins. So far Kobe Bryant does not seem to be effected by some of the nagging injuries that plagued him down the regular season stretch.
In 10 postseason games he has averaged 26.9 points and 4.9 assists. Pau Gasol is also a big reason the Lakers are back in the conference finals. He has averaged 20.2 points and 13.1 rebounds in the first two series.
Phoenix chased the Lakers all season long in the Pacific division and now they have their chance to finally catch them. In their first round series against Portland they suffered a rare playoff loss at home, falling to the Trail Blazers 100-105 in game one. They were able to quickly put that loss aside, going on to win the series in six games. Against San Antonio in the semifinals they got off to a quick start with a 111-102 win in game one on their way to a four game sweep of the Spurs.
They now face their stiffest challenge in trying to beat a team they lost three out of four to in the regular season and are just 4-7 against all-time in the playoffs.
Conference Finals Prediction:
The NBA has to be licking their chops at a potential Boston-Los Angeles match up in the finals. Given the way the Celtics are currently playing and the Lakers past dominance over the Suns, this is exactly what they are going to get.
Boston in six, LA in five.
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