New Era, Same Rivalry - Boston Celtics vs LA Lakers

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-Digger's Daily-

Bring it on! Another Celtics vs Lakers NBA Finals promises to dazzle us all. The names have changed over the years. Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Dick Barnett & Wilt Chamberlain of the 1960's. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Robert Parrish, James Worthy & Kevin McHale of the 80's. Now, going toe to toe in the Finals for the 2nd time in 3 years, a new Celtics vs Lakers era features the likes of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Andrew Bynum & Paul Gasol. Get ready. We're soon to witness a great series.

Boston Celtics (50-32, 12-5) - One of the NBA's most celebrated franchises. Perhaps in all of sports second only to the New York Yankees. Boston's winning ways have stood the test of time. 17 NBA Championships includes a record 8 in a row from 1959-1966. Two years ago they won their 17th in six games vs the Lakers.
The Celtics are clicking. They seem to be doing just about everything right. Pierce (19.1), Allen (16.8), Rondo (16.7) & Garnett (14.8) have been near unstoppable. C's passing game has worn out defenders. Transition offense has been one of their keys. Too many weapons to defend. Orlando was stunned at how handily they were defeated. Boston had better beware. 2010 LA defense is stingier than 2008 match up.

Los Angeles Lakers (57-25, 12-4) - 15 NBA Championships. Will they take home #16? At times, there's no finer team than LA. At other times, LA looks completely lost on the court. 100% focus and composure needs to be maintained or else this will be another Lakers team notched upon Celtics belts. Kobe (29.4) needs early support when he dishes to open players. When he's on it doesn't seem to matter if teams play double teams. Paul Gasol (20.0) seems to sink every shot (56.5%). How he plays against a stingy Boston D could very well determine LA's fate. Ron Artest (11.5) has been one game on, one game off. Complete failure at the free throw line shooting a dismal 61%. Odom, Fisher & Bynum have provided valuable defense and quite a few momentum changing baskets this post season.

Prediction: Expect to see fast and furious action. Rondo and Kobe will be pushing the ball looking for quick baskets or open lanes. Celtics own offensive edge as a team. Many weapons available if one individual has an off night. On the other hand, the Lakers have to attack the basket when Boston closes in on Bryant. They can't miss easy layups or open 12 footers. Both squads will play a spirited defense. Celtics transition offense brings it home. Raise another banner in Boston.
Celtics win in 6.

NBA 2010 Eastern Conference Finals Prediction

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-Digger's Daily-

Get ready for intense basketball.

Orlando vs Boston promises to be a titanic Eastern Conference Finals battle. They're two very smart and physical teams not strangers to pressure basketball. Boston won it all in 2007-08 but last year their injured squad was sent packing by Orlando. The Celtics are clicking. Everyone seems to be contributing by way of clutch shooting or key steals. Rajon Rondo has been nearly impossible to slow down (17.7 PPG). When defenses converge, Rondo dishes (11 A/G) to Ray Allen (18.3), Kevin Garnett (17.1) and Paul Pierce (16.6). Kendrick Perkins has been doing a fine job clogging up the lanes (2.30 blocks/game). Can they reach the Finals? Orlando seems to have their number winning 7 of last 10.

No team has solved Orlando this playoff season. The Magic are 8-0 dominating opponents by a whopping 101.0 to 83.8 margin. Dwight Howard (15.4 PPG, 11.3 REB, 2.8 BLK) & Co. shutting down opposing players with ease. Howard has been unstoppable hitting 68% from the field. Jameer Nelson connected 52% for 20.5 points. Rachard Lewis (54%, 16.4) and Vince Carter (16.9) kept Charlotte and Atlanta searching for answers. It's been a team effort from top to bottom. Magic have set their signts on one thing and one thing only. Winning Orlando's first NBA Championship. Will a one week layover between series leave Orlando rusty? Late nights and premature partying will have dire performance consequences if Magic players took unnecessary liberties.

Series prediction: Boston is flying high with renewed self confidence after frustrating Cleveland. They're healthy this time around and primed for revenge. Every game could go right down to the wire. Game 1 goes to Celtics as Magic struggle to sink baskets. Magic responds to wake up call by winning Game 2. Going Green? Celtics will take this memorable series in 7 hotly contested games.

NBA Conference SemiFinal Predictions

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-Digger's Daily-

2010 NBA Playoffs are going strong. Opening round games were great to watch even though only one series went the distance. Now it's time for the Conference Semifinals. Two great matchups on paper are Cleveland vs Boston and San Antonio vs Phoenix. Anything can happen from here on in. Whichever teams capitalize most from opponents mistakes should be victorious. Predictions......

East
Cleveland over Boston in 7 - James was officially awarded his second consecutive NBA MVP Award on Sunday. James knows to become one of the all time greats now rests squarely on leading Cleveland to championship glory.
Orlando over Atlanta in 5 - Magic chasing after 1st championship. Atlanta's great season will soon end.

West
Los Angeles over Utah in 5- Kobe stepped up in Game 1 as LA almost dropped the opener. LA has generally looked great in wins and abysmal in defeat. Utah will keep up the pressure on every play.
San Antonio over Phoenix in 7 - Both teams are red hot and playing smart heads up hoops. This will be a 15 round slugfest.

NBA Conference Semi Final Predictions

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-Digger's Daily-

The NBA Playoffs opening round showcased two epic series. Boston vs Chicago went the full seven games. Four games went into OT featuring double and triple OT wins by the Bulls. Atlanta knocked off Miami in a seesaw, heavy hitting seven gamer. Now it's time for the Conference Semi-Finals. Here's how I see it.......

East
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks: Cavs were barely challenged during their sweep of Detroit. LeBron James & Co. will be too tough to handle. Atlanta is a team on the rise. They'll fight to the finish behind a very balanced scoring attack. Spreading the ball around is what these guys to best. Bibby, Johnson, Smith, Murray, Harford, Pachulia, Williams & Evans all contribute.Cleveland in 5.

Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic: I think this will be an amazing series to follow. Earlier this season reigning NBA Champs Boston seemed like odds on favorite to repeat. Injuries have taken their toll. Celtics barely survived a great first round challenge without Garnett. Ray Allen (23.4 ppg), Paul Pierce (23.1), Rajon Rondo (19.4), Glen Davis (18.1) and Kendrick Perkins (13.3) make up Boston's wide open attack. They'll need to set up high percentage looks vs Magics quick D. Orlando, is a team on the rise with star calibur players. They dumped the 76ers in 6. I think the key to this series is Dwight Howard (24.0, 15.0 reb). His defense will be key as will how he handles a series full of double teams. I think Boston is spent after a ton of first round minutes. Orlando is hungry and eager to KO last years champs. Orlando in 6.

West
Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets: LA is on a collision course with NBA Finals destiny. Phil Jackson will keep them focused every game. Kobe leads the way. I'm sure he has orders from Jackson to get everyone involved early to slow down opposing double teams. Lakers are playing sound basketball with a great gameplan. I'm betting on Houston to give LA a big challenge this series. Rick Adelman's defense plays stingy (94.4 ppg) and must create plenty of turnovers to get the Rockets off the ground. Transition basketball is the key to their success. In round one, Houston stymied Portland to less than 90 points in all but one game. This will be a very hard fought series.LA in 7.

Denver Nuggets vs Dallas Mavericks: Denver is rolling in confidence after their first round win. George Karl tries to put playoff ghosts from his past to rest. Nuggets pile up point in a hurry. Anthony (24.0), Billups (22.6) & Smith (16.0) will be key cogs. Biggest question is if the Nuggest can play D vs Mavs big shooters? Dallas got hot down the stretch to qualify and then shocked San Antonio in 5. Jason Kidd needs to fire high % shots when he's not dishing off to Dirk (19.2), Howard (18.0) & Terry (13.4). Mavs are hot. I'm expecting a shootout in every games. It'll be a battle to the finish.Dallas in 6.

This round will be great to watch... don't miss it.

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Lakers Snuff Out Celtics in OT, 110-109

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by Digger

Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics. Championship basketball on full display in Boston as the Lakers and Celtics slugged it out. Game dominated by physical play ending on an overtime blocked shot preserving LA's one point thriller.

Was this a preview of what could be the NBA finalists playing for it all? A few teams will have something to say about it first. A growing number seem to favor these two tipping off for all the marbles.

LA is missing a big cog. Center Andrew Bynum is out for at least 2 months after tearing up his right knee. He was largely responsible for Lakers success. On fire leading up to his injury averaging over 26 ppg (5 games). He's a monster in the middle.

Heavy fouls and key blocked shots will be featured on highlight clips after this one. Kobe and Ray Allen were team leading scorers and both were erratic late in the game.

LA vs Boston have played some of the NBA's most memorable games. Chamberlain vs Russell, Magic vs Larry, Kareem vs Parrish, McHale vs Wothy, West vs Cousy.. now Kobe vs KG. Most of us expect to watch incredible games every time these two square off. Usually, each one is just another chapter to their storied histories.

It's going to be a great NBA Playoff season!