The NBA playoffs have started, which makes me happy. My wife is in France at the moment, so I was able to sports-nerd it up and watch at least part of every single opening game this weekend. My thoughts:
East
Cleveland (1) vs. Detroit (8) – When your best player is putting up lines like 38p, 8a, 7r without even trying, when that’s just him working in the flow of the offense, you’re going to win a lot of games. Cleveland is going to win a lot of games in these playoffs. When your best player looks like he’s thinking about what team he’ll be playing for next year (Rasheed could not look less interested), you’re not going to win so many. I’ll be surprised if Detroit manages a single win in this series.
Boston (2) vs. Chicago (7) – A startling win even with the Celtics hurting, I have to admit. Anyone who follows the NBA knows that Rose is fantastic, but putting up a 36 and 12 in his first playoff game against the vaunted Celtics D is just ridiculous. KG or no KG, the Celts need to step it up. They can absolutely win one in Chicago … but now they’re in a situation where they not only have to win one away, but they know they can be beaten at home. Scary times for Boston.
Orlando (3) vs. Philly (6) – To echo the sentiments of Barkley and Webber: I don’t care if he can’t shoot free throws for shit, not giving the ball to Dwight Howard for the last five minutes of your games is ridiculous. I feel like Orlando could’ve won that game by just throwing lobs to Howard every possession. Instead they choked
