NBA Playoff Picks

While I agree with the decision made by Doc Rivers to rest his veteran stars down the stretch in order to make sure that the Celtics were as healthy as possible heading into the playoffs, it has been tough trying to watch Von Wafer and Carlos Arroyo play extended minutes the last few games.  My younger brother and his friend won courtside tickets for last night's season finale against the Knicks in a silent auction and his text to me during the game summarized Doc's decision to sit his stars.

"Sasha Pavlovic is worse in person than on television."

Let's all consider ourself lucky that the regular season is over and the playoffs are finally here.  The NBA regular season was highly competitive and there are six solid championship contenders - Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio - as well as a handful of other teams that will make the playoffs very interesting to watch but when the likes of Wafer, Arroyo, and Pavlovic are representing the Celtics, it's time to start the playoffs.

As for the picks...

Eastern Conference First Round

(1) Chicago Bulls over (8) Indiana Pacers
(5) Atlanta Hawks over (4) Orlando Magic
(3) Boston Celtics over (6) New York Knicks
(2) Miami Heat over (7) Philadelphia 76ers

Western Conference First Round

(1) San Antonio Spurs over (8) Memphis Grizzlies
(4) Oklahoma City Thunder over (5) Denver Nuggets
(6) Portland Trailblazers over (3) Dallas Mavericks
(2) Los Angeles Lakers over (7) New Orleans Hornets

Eastern Conference Semifinals

(1) Chicago Bulls over (5) Atlanta Hawks
(3) Boston Celtics over (2) Miami Heat

Western Conference Semifinals

(4) Oklahoma City Thunder over (1) San Antonio Spurs
(2) Los Angeles Lakers over (6) Portland Trailblazers

Eastern Conference Finals

(3) Boston Celtics over (1) Chicago Bulls

Western Conference Finals

(4) Oklahoma City Thunder over (2) Los Angeles Lakers

NBA FINALS

Boston Celtics over Oklahoma City Thunder

Here I go again with being the ultimate homer.  In my opinion, if Shaquille O'Neal is healthy enough to give the Celtics 15-20 minutes a night - and I believe that he will be - then Boston is the favorite.  Shaq gives the Celtics a presence in the middle that protects the rest of the starters on defense and gives them an easy two points when he catches the ball in the post.  Shaq's presence also shores up the deepest bench in the NBA with Glen Davis, Jeff Green, Delonte West, Jermaine O'Neal, and Nenad Krstic.  That kind of depth will carry them through the East and past the surprising Thunder to capture Banner 18 for the Garden.