Eastern Conference Finals

Boston Celtics (4-3 over Cleveland) vs Detroit Pistons (4-1 over Orlando)

This is the Eastern conference final everyone expected at the beginning of the playoffs and although both teams had some bumps on the road (Boston more than Detroit) they both made it for what should be a showdown series. Boston has the Big 2 and Ray Allen's expiring contract and the Pistons still have one of the strongest starting 5's in the league.

The Pistons played around with the Sixers in the 1st round but once they became serious they rolled and won in six. The Pistons knew the Magic were a bigger threat and took them serious from the get-go and won the series in 5 even with Billups missing most of Game 3 and all of Games 4 and 5. The Pistons are rolling right now and they will thrive in their underdog role against the Celtics.

The Celtics faced a minor scare against the Hawks in round 1. Although they were dragged to 7 games they were never challenged at home and won Game 7 by 34. Against Cleveland they were really tested and could have easily lost Games 1, 5, and 7 at home. They survived LeBron in a classic Game 7 but now look very vulnerable. And they still haven't won a road game.

I believe there a few reasons why the Pistons will win this series.

- Ray Allen is simply terrible and with his decline the Pistons have clear advantages at PG and SG and a decent advantage at C (Maxiell over Perkins).

- Although KG and Paul Pierce are better overall players than Sheed and Tayshaun both of those players have the ability and experience to keep those matchups relatively even

- Boston hasn't shown they can win on the road in the postseason and they were very vulnerable at home against Cleveland

Those 3 points along with my overall disappointment with Boston's performance during these playoffs lead me to believe Pistons in 6

Tonight's Game 7 prediction - My heart says the Hornets (because I hate the Spurs and I think the Hornets are a better matchup for the LakeShow) but my head says the defending champs will find a way to prevail. The Hornets are the better overall team but the Spurs' Big 3 is great and stars win Game 7's. Tonight should be great though.