The Best Time of the Year

Somewhere around 1:00 A.M. Thursday morning, .the pairings for the upcoming NBA playoffs were final set.

Not until the Blazers finished off the Nuggets, 104-76, did the final pieces fall into place. That bumped Portland—returning to the post-season for the first time since Maurice Cheeks not only took them there in 2003, but became a national hero by coming to the rescue of 14-year-old Natalie Gilbert, the girl singing the National Anthem who had forgotten the words-up to the No. 4 slot.

In the process Houston, which had a chance to wind up No. 2 when the night began—had the Rockets held onto a 14-point lead in Dallas-.fell all the way down to No. 5, meaning they’ll have to open in RIP city.

That’s just one of a number of potentially juicy first-round matchups that will have pro hoops fans salivating over the next few weeks. Here’s the rest, with a quick breakdown of what to expect.

We’ll start off today in the East today, saving those fierce battles of the West until tomorrow.

Cavs (1) vs. Pistons (8)—The championship quest, which LeBron James & his teammates have made no secret they believe is their destiny, begins against the team that has been to the Conference Finals the last six years. But the only thing these Pistons have in common with those Pistons is the name and logo.

Detroit, having traded floor leader Chauncey Billups early in the season for Allen Iverson, never got it together and staggered to the wire having dropped their last three to fall to 40-42. Their reward is a date with the NBA’s best team—at least record-wise, which dropped only one home game all season in which LeBron and the “varsity” played.

Unless Cleveland gets caught up in believing its press clippings and doesn’t come ready to play, they shouldn’t have much trouble with Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Price & Co.
Cavs in five.<

Celtics (2) vs. Bulls (7)—Give the reigning champions credit for winning 61 games—third best in the League—despite having lost meal ticket Kevin Garnett for most of the past two months. But with today’s revelation from Doc Rivers that KG is probably gone for the playoffs it’s unreasonable to expect Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and the rest to actually defend their crown.

On the other hand, don’t look for the Bulls—who could’ve avoided this matchup and drawn the Magic by beating the Raptors at home Wednesday—to be the ones knocking them off their throne. While likely “Rookie of the Year,’’ Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon and Tyrus Thomas—joined at the trading deadline by veterans John Salmons and Brad Miller—have spearheaded a late season surge, the Celts remain a formidable opponent.

On paper Chicago has the quickness and firepower to give the Celtics problems. On the court, though, Boston’s superior defense and championship swagger will prevail.
Celtics in six.

Magic (3) vs. Sixers (6)—In spite of themselves the Sixers somehow found away to beat the Cleveland JV at the “Q” last night, while the Bulls lost to the Toronto, which nudged them into a duel against Dwight Howard and his 3-point happy friends.

This one will feature one of the NBA’s best long-range shooting teams in Orlando against one of the worst, Philadelphia. And it’s no contest in the paint where Howard, the league’s leading rebounded and shot blocker should have his way against Samuel Dalembert and anyone else Tony DiLeo throws at him.

But if the Sixers can get their vaunted running game in gear and figure out a way to keep Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and Rafer Alston from repeatedly burning them beyond the arc,. they might have a chance.

Too big an if to expect an upset. Magic in six.

Hawks (4) vs. Heat (5)—Clearly the most even matchup of the bunch. The Hawks, as much as anyone scared the Celtics last spring, taking them to a seventh game. Now they’ve won __ games and earned home court for the first round.

Where their prize is the league’s leading scorer, Dwyane Wade, who personally resurrected a 15-win doormat into a playoff team. Next on his agenda is marching through Georgia—aided by recent acquisition Jermaine O’Neal, Udonis Haslem and rookies Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers—into a second round showdown vs. Olympic teammate LeBron and the Cavs.

The Hawks, led by Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby in the backcourt, with Josh Smith and Al Horford doing the dirty work inside, won’t go down easy. But Wade will come up with something to make sure they do go down.
Heat in seven.<

That would set up a second round starring this fantastic four: LeBron, D-Wade, Howard and the champs.

Yes, it’s finally playoff time. For hoops fans the best time of the year.
-30-