2009 NBA Playoffs Preview: East
Although everybody knows the Western Conference is always better, I always found the East to be more entertaining.
Probably because I’ve always hated watching John Stockton and Karl Malone play in those stupid shorts in Utah or watch the seven-foot Vlade Divac get taken down by six-foot-three point guards in Sacramento. And while those guys’ playing days are over, I’d still keep my eyes glued on the East for the 2009 NBA Playoffs just because this side of the NBA has two of the hottest commodities in basketball today, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. Oh yeah, the East still has the Pistons too although I’m not counting on them to win anything this year.
Yup, the Detroit Pistons, after all the struggles they went through all year, still found their way to the postseason as the no.8 seed. How about that huh? Still, the festive mood in Detroit could end sooner than you think since they have the overall no.1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers waiting for them.
Unlike the Detroit Pistons, the Cavaliers have been playing tremendously that the merit the trip to the postseason. They have the best home record and would definitely not lose a home game to the struggling Pistons.
The Pistons have now lost Allen Iverson for the year and Rasheed Wallace now comes off the bench, how in the hell can their fans expect their team to overcome a hungry Cavaliers squad led by an even hungrier LeBron James?
The defending champions Boston Celtics have the Chicago Bulls in the first round and if the 2007 playoffs were to tell us anything, it’ll have to be the fact that you can’t underestimate Chicago. You see, it was two years ago when the no.5 seeded Bulls squad shocked the world when they swept the no.4 seeded Heat contingent led by Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal in the very first round.
The Miami Heat team the Chicago Bulls swept in 2007 were defending NBA champions. Isn’t it ironic that the Bulls will have the chance to upset another NBA champion in the first round two years later? It’ll be amazing for sure but I wouldn’t bet on it though.
Next, we have the Orlando Magic. After threatening to take both the Cavaliers and the Celtics off their pedestal all season, they settled with the no.3 seed in the playoffs to earn a first round match-up with the Philadelphia 76ers.
This should be an interesting face-off since Orlando had its problems with teams like the Philadelphia 76ers who can shut down Dwight Howard completely. The Magic went 0-4 against Detroit this season and while they were lucky enough to avoid a first round match-up with the Pistons, playing a Sixers squad that gave Detroit a tough time in the postseason last year won’t be much of a relief.
Last but certainly not the least, we have probably the most intriguing playoff face-off of the first round, that being the best of seven playoff series between the no.4 seed Atlanta Hawks and the no.5 seed Miami Heat.
This series is considered to be the face-off in the East that just might extend to a game six or possibly seven. After experiencing nearly a first round victory to the high and mighty Boston Celtics, the Atlanta Hawks were expected to come out stronger than ever and they have.
On the other hand, potential MVP Dwyane Wade has the talent to completely take over any game and give his team a victory. This series should be fun. Take the Heat in six or seven.
Which team will win the 2009 NBA Finals? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.
Boston Celtics 5.00
Los Angeles Lakers 2.60
Miami Heat 51.00
San Antonio Spurs 21.00
Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more basketball betting odds. Want to watch the NBA live? Get NBA tickets online now.
Loading ...