Underdogs!

by Jeff Clark on May 20, 2008 3:24 PM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

For the first time in a long time the Celtics enter into a game as the underdogs (according to the National media). Here's a sampling:

ESPN:

This series will be another long, drawn-out physical battle for the Celtics. After being taken to the limit in both of the previous series, they will now face an even more punishing defensive team. Detroit has not had to weather the physical trench fighting in its two earlier series, so this will be a new test for it. Expect close games, hard fouls, tough defense and grind-it-out offense -- just what we would expect from the Eastern Conference. Boston hasn't proved that it can be the same team away from home, and Detroit can and will win on the road in this series.
Prediction: Pistons 4, Celtics 2

SI.com:

The Pick: The Celtics have not looked like a championship outfit so far in these playoffs. Maybe they need another year playing together. For the Pistons, this might be their last shot. Look for them to prevail in a hard-fought, low-scoring series.
Detroit in seven.

Ball Don't Lie:

So, in the meantime, I’m going to go with what sounds right, right about now. But I’m fully cognizant of the fact that the two teams we saw go up against each other last winter are nothing like the two teams that tip off tonight, and that this series can swing wildly in any direction several different times, even if it only goes four or five games. I don’t think it will be that short, so ...
Detroit in six.

Fanhouse:

FanHouse Prediction: The Celtics are 0-6 on the road in the playoffs, the Pistons are 3-2. While the Celtics turn into a completely different team on the road, Detroit for the most part does not. Since I know the Pistons can get one in Boston, and I know the Celtics can't win in Detroit, it makes it fairly easy to offer up my prediction. Pistons in 6.

The funny thing is, it sounds like Vegas isn't buying it.

In other news, Bill Simmons is the latest to question if KG is "clutch."

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Comments

Footey:

Boston in six.

by footey on May 20, 2008 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

ACF:
The NBA…where the Celtics beating every team in 7 happens!

by Amager Celtic Fan on May 20, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

What’s interesting to me is how are the Lakers the favorites according to Vegas to win it all?

by tb727 on May 20, 2008 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

I like it.

by bleedingreen on May 20, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

A bunch of media ninnies

This is nothing but the expectations game by analysts incapable of judging of the series. They’re misjudgging this series sorely, just like they did with New Orleans in pre-season.

The C’s are the frontrunners. C’s are better at just about everything on the basketball court. Detroit have to play an excellent game just to have the chance to win, they have no margin for error. It’s going to be a very difficult series for the Pistons.

by Who on May 20, 2008 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

I find SI’s argument the most convincing.

by The Real Large James on May 20, 2008 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t think the Cs can beat the Lakers in the Finals. I don’t want to get ahead of myself but if the Cs get past Detroit, and that’s a big if, the only way to beat the Lakers (w/ Gasol) is to outscore them. Meaning, the Lakers have a huge offense but I think they are defensively less committed. I think the Cs need to have a high pressure offense against the Lakers. Against Detroit, they are going to have to grind it out. The keys are if Allen can find his jump shot; Rivers can stay out of his own way; and, Perkins gets back to a solid 30 minutes, 10 boards, 3 blocks.

by The Real Large James on May 20, 2008 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

They can beat LA. Don’t let the media brainwash you with the love they give LA. If Boston gets on track offensivley this series, I can bet my life that these guys will be right back on the wagon. >:(

by angryguy77 on May 20, 2008 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

Detroit will win very close game they play. Whay, Cause in a close game we will not be able to stop neither billups not Rip. Rip scored 14 straight foul shots the other day at end of games and Billups wasnt even playing. Their guard play we cannot stop; we dont have the players to do it. TA will jump into Billups and Rip everytime it counts. To win, we have to be far ahead at end of games. I dont think it will happen.

by Reyquila on May 20, 2008 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

CELTS in 5. you heard it here first.

by BrickJames on May 20, 2008 5:19 PM EDT reply actions

This what I posted earlier-"We’ve been through two series that were wars so far. The Pistons had a cake walk to the finals. We just unseated the east champs and played the second best defense in the NBA. Celtics in 5. "
GO CELTICS!

by liam on May 20, 2008 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

I think the Cavs roughed up the C’s much more than the Pistons will. The Pistons have defensive length with Wallace and Prince but do not bang like Cleveland. I also see Pierce having a big scoring series as Detroit does not have one guy, not even Prince, who will shut down Paul. They may need to double down on him, especially after his game one performance. If they do not he will have some big games. I think we match up well with Detroit, especially well if Billups is not up to par.

by celty86 on May 20, 2008 10:58 PM EDT reply actions