Good news for the Celtics: the "experts" still don't believe

[Roy Hobbs]

The C's are nine wins away from the NBA title. How many will they get?

Abbott: Four.

But ... you're asking me? I picked but one sweep in the second round, and it was the only series that was not a sweep. And it gets worse. The sweep I picked was Cleveland over Boston. Now I think the most likely scenario is the Celtics will win, and then fall in seven to Orlando.

Adande: Three more. One in this series and two against the Magic.

Arnovitz: Zero ... and I mean this with no disrespect. Boston has been the better team for five games, but this story seems ripe for redemption. The Celtics will put up a fight in Game 6 (when do they not?), but a Cavs victory would mean the Celtics must return to Cleveland to win their third road game of the series. As smart as the Celtics have been in this series, James doesn't figure to fail the Cavs again.

Broussard: Zero. However, Boston will beat Orlando if it closes out Cleveland. If healthy, the Celtics can beat anyone.

Hollinger: Two. I like their odds on Thursday given my unprofessional diagnosis that LeBron's injury is affecting him more than he's letting on, but I don't see anybody beating Orlando in a series right now.

Sheridan: One or two. I think they can get past the Cavs, because Boston knows how to slay a wounded animal. But I think Orlando would take them in five in the conference finals.

Stein: Three or four more wins at best. The Magic's sweeping days in this postseason are over, but they're not going to lose a series to these Celtics if that's whom they get in the Eastern Conference finals. Too many weapons for the Celts' weary legs to deal with.

Thorpe: Three. In his tenure, Kevin Garnett made the difference for this team, more or less, with his inspiring play. But guess which team gave him the most trouble this season: yep, the Magic, holding him to 10.5 ppg and less than 38 percent from the field. And Rashard Lewis loves playing the Celtics. Magic in 6.

Link.

The conventional wisdom now seems to be that we may scrape by Cleveland due to Lebron's elbow, but that we don't have a chance against the mighty Magic.

[Donoghus]

Like Barkley says, "God is the only expert"

[indeedproceed]

I like it.

[Chris]

Personally, I think it is either zero or at least 5-9.  I think there is a really good chance Lebron thrives with all this drama, and single-handedly knocks the C's out.  Otherwise, I see the C's beating the Magic, who have probably just been sitting around, soaking in the praise and letting it go to their heads, and then facing the Lakers in the finals.  And honestly, I am not ready to predict what would happen there yet.  

[rondohondo]

You would think they would learn after the 2008 fiinals to never underestimate this C's team . I mean we took the Magic to 7 games last year with Scal being out first big off the bench and no kg. They also played the magic tough this year in orlando winning on xmas day and then losing a buzzer beater.

The C's match up extremly well with the magic. Perk and Sheed have always given Howard trouble throughout his career, KG is a lot healthier now than in the regular season so he should be able to stick with Lewis and take him in the low post on offense, the C's have 2 HOF wings against Barnes and vince carter( very good, but not great). Also I think that Rondo will play Nelson evenly if not better .


I don't see why these "experts" never look at the matchups and just look at who the hot team is.....

It's all about matchups in the playoffs!

[celticinorlando]

i have never felt the celtics more under the radar than they are right now...despite dominating this series and leading it. does broussard know boston IS healthy right now?

[Lucky17]

I see everyone seems to be drinking the blue kool-aid these days.

Orlando has played well so far, but their performance has just as much to do with the paper tigers they've faced.

But, yes, I too love that we are so far under the radar.

[fairweatherfan]

Good...IF we finish out Cleveland tonight, I hope I wake up tomorrow to another panel of 10 "experts" each with a Magic logo next to their names.  Keep it coming, fellas.

[vgulab]

We will win this series against the Cavs and the next series might be a problem. I'm sure if we win against the Magic we will win the championship and it will be so sweet beating those lakers again. And for the Cavs they are done. Mike Brown is done with the Cavs and probably LeBron will be gone to New York this summer

[fairweatherfan]

You'd also think these guys would remember what happened to the last Eastern juggernaut who swept its first 8 games and had homecourt in the conference finals, since it was only a year ago.  Doesn't mean Orlando's destined to lose or anything, but it makes it a lot more plausible that they could.

[Reggie's Ghost]

Wouldn't want it any other way 

[ACF]

Wouldn't want it any other way  

I like the new avatar  

If the Celtics win tonight, ESPN can hire me because I said C's in 6 

[BudweiserCeltic]

Nice... no Legler?

[fugazzi24]

When the Celtics Win tonights they are going to the Finals, I believe it 100%.  This team is only getting better with each game and has that championship focus back.


On a side note

The first time Vince Carter drives to the basket, Perk needs to knock him on the floor and set the tone for the entire series.

[Reggie's Ghost]

Wouldn't want it any other way  

I like the new avatar  

If the Celtics win tonight, ESPN can hire me because I said C's in 6 

Thanks brother, this is my special playoff edition avatar...

You'd be way overqualified for that ESPN gig