revised playoff picks

Yipes. What is going on here? Basketball in Atlanta is suddenly alive again, if it ever was. The Lakers had little trouble adjusting to the mountains. The Hornets, whom (like many) I didn't expect much out of, would not let the Mavs get close.

And then there are the two series I really didn't see coming - Spurs v Suns and Sixers v Pistons. Much like last year, I was ready to bet that the winner of a Spurs-Suns series would take it all. After an epic game 1, it looked like this would come down to seven intense battles. But even though the Suns were close, they never really got over that, and suddenly, they're done.

The Sixers, meanwhile, stole the first game with no real explanation, then got the third one at home to go up. Improbably, they were up big in game 4 and looking to get Detroit in the death zone when the Pistons finally woke up. Now, Detroit seems to be attentive and in control, after a big win tonight. But still, the hometowners are making a statement, and they are closer to being good again than we imagined.

So now what? Half of my finals prediction is trash, and I'm not feeling so certain about anything else. The Hornets, Magic and the Lakers have impressed me so much, while the Jazz and Pistons are struggling. And the Celtics? Tsk, tsk.

Well, here's my new call for the next rounds:

BOS over CLE in 7

DET over ORL in 7

SAN over NO in 6

LAL over UT in 7



SAN over LAL in 6

BOS over DET in 6



BOS over SAN in 7


Yeah... I don't like it, and I think the possibility of a retro Celtics-Lakers finals is rising everyday, but I am sticking to my belief that no Andrew Bynum is going to kill them at some point. It would kill them against Utah if the Jazz had anyone who could remotely stay with Kobe. That series will be good, but I can't see the Jazz taking any road games.

I've been moving towards the Celtics for a while, and naturally, they look angry and confused now. I think they will pull out of it.... and I think Detroit is way too unfocused for such a veteran team. I don't think the Spurs will have enough to repeat after that brutal road. I wouldn't be surprised to see them lose to the Lakers or maybe even Hornets.

This could all change shortly.......