by Pete Mcmullen

Created on: May 25, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

This year's playoffs have been nothing short of great. They've kept me interested the entire time, something the NBA hasn't been able to do in a couple years. First, the Nuggets proved that, in order to win, you need to play defense. Second, the Hornets proved that inexperience kills you against the defending champions. Third, the Suns and Mavericks proved that neither can win in the postseason. However, due to the coaching changes and the tough conference, both will have trouble making the playoffs next season.

The Boston Celtics may be the biggest mystery of them all though. Currently, they are 9-1 at home and 1-6 on the road. It's almost hard to believe that they had the best record in the League, and it's even harder to believe that the Hawks and Cavalier both took them to the brink of elimination with seven games. Maybe the biggest question mark is Ray Allen. He was in a gigantic slump, yet picked it up in scoring 20+ points in Game 2. However, this postseason, Boston is 0-3 when he scores over 20 points in a game. So what gives? My only explanation is that when Allen starts to get his shot going, he starts to look to shoot too much, and the teams suffers as a whole.

Now, the Los Angeles Lakers are currently up 2-0 on the Spurs with Game 3 being played tonight. After giving up a huge lead to lose Game 1, San Antonio responded by not showing up with their best effort in Game 2 and getting slaughtered. Kobe Bryant was fantastic in both games scoring 27 and 22, respectively. His play in Game 1 was nothing short of intelligent as he only took three first half shots. He then figured out the defense by the second half and went on to score 25 second half points.

The Detroit Pistons stole a game at TD Banknorth Garden, something that hasn't been done before in the 2008 playoffs. However, they let their guard down in Game 3 and lost in Detroit giving Boston their first win on the road all postseason. The Bad Boyz were lazy on defense last night and even let Kendrick Perkins to score in double figures. If they want to win the series, they must steal another game in Boston, win their home games, and play the defense that the Pistons are famous for.

So there you have it. The 2008 NBA Playoffs are keeping most fans intrigued while most hope for a Lakers-Celtics final, something that would be reminiscent of the 80s. San Antonio is going to need to turn on the jets at home tonight while Detroit is going to have to rebound from their home loss to tie the series at 2-2 tomorrow night. Can the Spurs do it? I don't think so. The Lakers definitely have more experience than New Orleans and won't give away the series so easily. Can the Pistons do it? Definitely. They are a complete team with five (maybe six with Stuckey now) that can all contribute. Boston is a three-man show with a shaky big man and a bad decision-maker at the point.

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