ESPN "Expert" Predictions (C's vs Cavs)

[cornbreadsmart]

my unbiased opinion is cavs in 6. but ofcourse we have a chance. we have a good chance.

[guava_wrench]

Reminds me of the way they said we had no shot vs LAL

EXPERT PICKS

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2010/matchup/_/teams/celtics-cavaliers

Abbott
Cavs In 4

Adande
Cavs In 6

Broussard
Cavs In 6

Ford
Cavs In 7

Hollinger
Cavs In 5

Legler
Cavs In 7

Rose
Cavs In 6

Sheridan
Cavs In 5

Stein
Cavs In 6

Thorpe
Cavs In 6

Let's see, no one gives a chance.  nice motivation if they needed any.
1 picks a sweep.
2 pick the full 7 games where we lose the final game.
2 pick a 5 game series meaning we can't hold serve on our home court.
5 pick a 6 game series meaning we lose an elimination game on our court.
They're all idiots. 

You think picking the Cavs in 7 is an idiot prediction?

[FallGuy]

I'm picking the Cavs in 7.

I think the C's best chance is in 6 games. Will be almost impossible to win a game seven in Cleveland with Lebron hurling himself into traffic and getting foul calls.

[Drucci]

Abbott predicting a sweep... wow.

Funny how all the "experts" once again all pick the Cavs to win it, I think they're in for big disappointment like last year against Orlando.

[incoherent]

We've never lost a series with KG... how can they predict such terrible outcomes for us???

[HYPE.]

This really riles me up. Hopefully the Celts read the predictions. This is exactly the motivation we need.

[jambr380]

It's not like they are all crazy- they are all just assuming the most likely thing. For anyone to say the Celtics will win is going out on a limb. I think and hope they have a chance to win, but I don't think it's likely. I really think we need to get one of the first two games. If we do, then I will feel pretty good about things. Heck, Orlando pretty much destroyed them last year, so crazier things have happened...

[chelsearules]

Abbott
Cavs In 4

[PosImpos]

Considering that the Cavs took 5 games to beat Chicago (a 41 win team), it makes little to no sense to predict that it would take Cleveland fewer than 5 to beat the Celtics (a 50 win team with far more talent and experience). 

Indeed, I think Cavs in 6 or 7 is by far the most likely scenario, and the smartest pick.  Anybody picking something else is either being foolish or is trying to provoke a reaction.

[angryguy77]

We match up with them and we beat them 2 times this season. Would have been 3 had Shaq not gone out with injury. Reg season can indicate something when both teams are trying to win.

This season was a disapointment because there was a lack of effort, not talent. If Boston gives their best effort, it's not a stretch to say they have a 50/50 chance of winning this series.

Rebound well and play the d they're capable of and they will win this series.

[incoherent]

How is it going out on a limb to say the Celtics will win?

We already proved Regular Season Means Nothing.

We are a much better Playoff team then the Cavs.

[twinbree]

Our play this season screamed early playoff exit so it's OK to not pick us. But predicting we'll do no better or worse than the Bull against the Cavs when we're fully healthy and managed to get out of the 1st round in less than our usual 7 games and Mike Brown is still their coach. Now that's just cold.

[FallGuy]

How is it going out on a limb to say the Celtics will win?

We already proved Regular Season Means Nothing.

We are a much better Playoff team then the Cavs.

I don't think we've proved the regular season means nothing by beating Miami. If we beat Cleveland, I think we could look back at some of the bad games in Feb/Mar/Apr with new eyes. But even in round one, our interest level waned for far more quarters than I'm comfortable with.

And it's pretty much impossible to say we're a better playoff team than Cleveland because neither this year's Cleveland team, nor this year's Celtics team have faced off in the playoffs. Both blew through their first round match ups. And both are different teams from last year (when Cleveland went farther) and two years ago (when we won).

[PosImpos]

One thing the Celtics have going for them is that they've had the same starting 5 for a few years now.

In his latest podcast, Simmons brought up the fact that the Mavericks changed 40% of their starting lineup midway through the season, and that was a huge factor he overlooked in predicting that series.  Of course, when he went on to off-handedly assume that the Cavs would easily beat the Celtics, he didn't mention the fact that the Cavs starting lineup has changed drastically since last year.  Three out of the five are different; one was added mid-season and the other was in and out of the lineup all year.

The point is, the Cav's starting five hasn't really been tested too much in difficult playoff situations as a unit yet.  That could play in the Celtics' favor.

[FallGuy]

One thing the Celtics have going for them is that they've had the same starting 5 for a few years now.

In his latest podcast, Simmons brought up the fact that the Mavericks changed 40% of their starting lineup midway through the season, and that was a huge factor he overlooked in predicting that series.  Of course, when he went on to off-handedly assume that the Cavs would easily beat the Celtics, he didn't mention the fact that the Cavs starting lineup has changed drastically since last year.  Three out of the five are different; one was added mid-season and the other was in and out of the lineup all year.

The point is, the Cav's starting five hasn't really been tested too much in difficult playoff situations as a unit yet.  That could play in the Celtics' favor.

You make a good point here. I think KG is pretty sure what he's gonna get with Paul and Ray. And Rondo looks at Perk and knows what he's doing, etc.

I'm not positive James trusts his teammates. Particularly Mo Williams who had such a bad finish last year.

And apparently even Varejao, who Cavs fans seem to be down on, after round one. Apparently, he didn't play up to expectations.