NBA Playoff Betting Odds

Written by Lucky Lester on May, 20th 2008 | 0 Comments

Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics Preview

It hasn’t been as easy as they had hoped, but the Celtics are one series away from that NBA Championship series they’ve been after all season long. After 14 playoff games, a perfect record at home and a winless road venture, the Celtics get the Pistons. This is the match-up everyone expected to see at the end of the Eastern Conference rainbow, and this is what we get. 1 vs. 2 - Boston vs. Detroit. The old Eastern dominance heads up against the new trio in Boston. You have to love it.

Detroit Pistons (2) vs. Boston Celtics (1) (Series Tied at 0-0)

Series Preview:
This is where the East gets powerful. There aren’t many people out there that would suggest the East to be stronger than the West, but in all reality, these were the two best teams in basketball this season. Not only did they hold the best record, but they both had a winning records against the Western Conference. The Celtics lead the league with a 66-16 record while the Pistons finished second with 59 wins. The Pistons make this their 6th consecutive season of playing in the Eastern Conference Finals.

During the regular season (which doesn’t always mean much), the Celtics took two of three from Detroit after the Pistons were responsible for the Celtics first home loss of the season. So, while the Celtics possibly have the mental advantage of taking two of three from Detroit, the Pistons might have a more important mental coup, being the first team to oust the Celtics in Boston.

The first two games played between these two teams were very close. Chauncey Billups last second free throws iced Detroit’s only win in the series while Boston took a late lead in Detroit, outscoring the Pistons by 10 in the 4th quarter, to win by seven and return the favor. The Celtics walked away with the last game, winning the season series. The second game was won on the strength of the Celtics’ bench. Glen Davis lead the team with 20 points while Tony Allen scored 10. Ray Allen (3-8), KG (4-11), and Paul Pierce (5-16) definitely had their struggles against Detroit.

It will be interesting to see if the Celtics’ bench continues their strong play against Detroit or if Ray Allen comes to life to add a little offensive firepower against a very good Pistons team. Chauncey Billups health could prove to be a big part of this series, but Rodney Stuckey gives the Pistons a nice second option.

This should be one hell of a series.

Regular Season Series:
12/19/07 - Detroit 87 @ Boston 85 (Under)
01/05/08 - Boston 92 @ Detroit 85 (Under)
03/05/08 - Detroit 78 @ Boston 90 (Under)

Playoff Series Schedule:
Gm. 1:Tue., May 20: at Boston, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Gm. 2:Thu., May 22: at Boston, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Gm. 3:Sat., May 24: at Detroit, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Gm. 4:Mon., May 26: at Detroit, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Gm. 5*:Wed., May 28: at Boston, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Gm. 6*:Fri., May 30: at Detroit, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Gm. 7*:Sun., June 1: at Boston, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
* if necessary

Series Prediction: This may be a little too far, but this is what I like to happen. Each team wins one game on their opponent’s floor to start the home and home twins. Boston wins Game 2 and 3 while Detroit takes game 1 and 4. After that, it’s all Boston. The Celtics punch their ticket to the Big Show in 6 - finishing off the series in Detroit on May 30th.

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