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The Rivalry is Reignited

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Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks

3:00 PM ET, April 20, 2013

Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Eastern Conference 1st Round

Game 1 – Series tied 0-0

Coverage: ABC

From all the Eastern Conference first round matchups, this is by far the most heated and physical series of them all.  These two teams met up last season in the first round with the Celtics sweeping the Knicks in 4 games, something All-Star Carmelo Anthony says he has relived a thousand times over in his head.  The Knicks opened their season  series with a loss to the Celtics but came back strong winning the following three games.   The Knicks ended the regular season winning 15 of 17,  defeating many top ranked playoff contenders during this stretch.

This first game will come down to how well the Celtics can rotate their defense and protect the paint,  while at the same time covering the three point line.  The Knicks will try to slow down the post-game and contain Paul Pierce and KG, who seem to come alive when they play in Madison Square Garden.  Boston will need their bench to step up their game when they are on the floor, while controlling the clock will be key to their success.  As for the Knicks, they know they can score, they know they can shoot; now they need to make sure they can defend and hold off one of the most experienced teams in the League.

YOUR INSIDE SCOOP…

The Knicks have outplayed the Celtic s in their last three regular season meetings, but the Celtics own the Knicks in postseason play.  They know how to push this team harder than the rest when it is needed and they are very unpredictable. You have to shut them all down if you want to win.  The Knicks are -5 in this game and against a team like the Celtics,  I would say it is insane, take Boston.  However,  this year, the Celtics have been destroyed by injuries and are just a shell of their old selves.  So it is with a heavy heart,  that I side with the Public and advise them on New York in this opening game.

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Young Guns Looking to Overpower the Veterans

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Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

8:00 PM ET, April 13, 2013

FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

Coverage: NBATV

This is more than likely going to be a preview of the first round in the Western Conference playoffs, as the 4th seeded Clippers take on the 5th seeded Grizzlies in what can only be described as a battle in the paint.  This game is also the last of the regular season for both teams; the Clippers look to win the series 3-1.  Memphis lost their first two games in LA but won last week at home and has all the intentions of doing it again here.

The Clippers will look to get the ball down low as they usually do, but that is where this game will get interesting.  The Grizzles have one of the best interior defenses in the West, making moving the ball and outside penetration difficult.  In my opinion, the Clippers will have to rely much more on their shooting game than their “lob city” game as they are known.  The Grizzlies are an older team that needs rest, but they also need to stay limber and gather excitement heading into the playoffs. A win in their last regular season meeting would really help them get into the feeling for round one.

YOUR INSIDE SCOOP…

I know that the Clippers younger, faster and better in transition… but they lack a lot of experience and they don’t have that outside shooter that can get red hot and burn other teams.  They are -2.5 in this game and the public is all over them and I can see why.  I also know that the Grizzlies are very talented on the inside as well as more experienced, they have a way of turning it on at the right time and I think that they will really cause the Clippers some issues in the post.  I like the Grizzlies to tie the series up and use this win as fire for their first round battle.

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Another Possible Bump in the Road for the Heat

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Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs

7:00 PM ET, March 31, 2013

AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

Coverage: NBATV

The Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich is known for resting his guys at this stage of the season, he knows the importance of healthy bodies on the floor for the postseason.  I can guarantee that this is not a game he will want them to rest.  They lost to the Heat in their only meeting of the season and they want a little revenge. There is also the fact that they need to make sure they can beat the Heat in case that they meet up in the Finals.  (If you ask me, it is likely to happen).

The Heat team is coming off a big time loss to the Bulls… but it’s not the loss that is a big deal.  It is the way they lost.  They frustrated LeBron to no end and showed other teams how to get under his skin and bother him.  It got to the point where he was so frustrated that he got a flagrant foul call for ramming into a set pick to his right side.  The Spurs are the same kind of team as the Bulls, they like to grind games out and make teams beat themselves up.  The only difference is the Spurs experience and their bench, two of the best in the NBA by far.

Your Inside Scoop:

This game is a pick and at this point playing the total is dangerous, because it all depends on how hard they have to play each other.  The public thinks that the Heat will get back on track and follow that loss with a win to show the world it was just one game.  I on the other hand, have seen how hard is to beat the Spurs twice in a season back to back. They don’t forget those things and they will look to capitalize on every mistake from Miami.  The wise guys are waiting for the line to move to take advantage of any plus money they can get on the Spurs.

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Can The Cavs Pull Off An Upset?

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks
7:00 PM ET, January 21, 2012
Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
Coverage: Sport South

This game has all the potential for an upset based on just how well the Cavaliers have been communicating. They have also found ways to wreak havoc on teams such as the Lakers, the Jazz and the Pacers in overtime. Not to mention, the Atlanta Hawks have not had an easy time against the Cavaliers in the past, winning 4 of the 7 games over the last 2 seasons.  The Hawks have a 7 and 1 record this year.  The Hawks obviously want to continue their impressive winning record, but Cleveland is going to try their bet to not let that happen. 

The Cavs have made some smart draft choices, such as point guard Kyrie Irving.  Irving was the  #1 pick overall and has made a quick name for himself throughout the league.  He has led his team in scoring with 17.7 points a game as well as 5.2 assists and almost one steal per game. The Cavaliers rank 11th overall in offense, but fall short on defense allowing 96 points a game ranking them 20th overall.

The Atlanta Hawks are on a hot winning streak and they like it.  They can show off a different all around player every night.  They have so much young talent that they don’t have to depend on only one guy to show up night after night. Ranking 6th in the league in offense as well as 6th overall in defense, they are making themselves heard throughout not only the ATL, but the basketball nation. They are led by high scorer, Joe Johnson.  Johnson averages 18.9 points a game and seems to enjoy watching his fellow teammates, especially Josh Smith, fly through the air and score at will.

The Cavaliers will have their plate full tonight.   Defense will be important for them as they rotate their guards around deep zone coverage.  Watching for the shot as well as the lob makes things that much harder to defend. They will have to play smart and collected.  The Hawks on the other hand, will have to make it a point not to get over confident.  They can’t assume anything, because if they do, they will be in for a surprisingly long afternoon.  I like the Hawks in the game, but by no more than 3.  I would not be shocked if the Cavaliers came through with the win.

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