NBA Finals Prediction

[Clay Dreslough]

I think the Lakers are a very good team, and will manage to steal one of the first two in Boston.

And I think Celtics will probably win one, but not two, in Los Angeles.

Which means the series will come to Boston with the Lakers up 3-2. I think if the Celtics can manage to win Game 6, they will have enough momentum to win Game 7.

So as I see it, it's either the Lakers in 6, or the Celtics in 7.

Game by game, I see the following:

Game 1: Celtics win
Game 2: Lakers win (but Celts have a good chance here)
Game 3: Lakers win
Game 4: Celtics win
Game 5: Lakers win
Game 6: Celtics win (although I think the Lakers will win if they are down 3-2)
Game 7: Celtics win

[Red Sox Fan 734]

I not sure about this. The Celtics have been shaky all through the playoffs but they are still the better team. Kobe will get at least 1 50 point game. Kobe will carry the Lakers this series(like he always does) but it wont be enough.

I'm gonna say Celtics in 7

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Celtics in 6, although I wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers end up winning. This is probably the most compelling Finals in a long time, featuring 2 outstanding teams.

[EVEN11323]

Celtics in 7, home teams sweep.

[gRYFYN1]

OK 1st off Im a celts fan. so ill say Celts in 7 but, truth be told i think the lakers are better.

1) Pierce will gaurd Kobe, just like he did Lebron, granted Kobe has a jumpshot unlike Lebron, but it really boils down to team D on Kobe.

2) KG matches up on Pau unlike anyone else has, KG can actually mitigate the damage he can do.

3) there will be matchup issues when the Lakers play Radmavich (6'10), Odom (a big 6'10) and Gasol (7'), It will be tough for Ray-Ray or Pierce to guard Radamvich.

4) The celts really need bench play,PJ Brown will need to play big and Posey needs to show up for just about every game, Cassel has been killing them, but House has effectively been cut out meaning ET has to back up Rondo.

5) Which bring us to Rajon Rondo, No one player is more important to this sieres than him (snicker if you will), But when Rondo is on he is quite dazzling, his hand on D are amazing, his passing is great, he is an amazing rebounder and if, if he can hit the open shot team have to respect him.

But, when he get the And-1 mentality and goes nut with crazy scoops shots, lazy flip passes and careless ball fakes, the offense stagnets around him, He gets paranoid that rivers will yank him and it turns bad.

6) and of course Doc Rivers, y'know what never mind, ill just slam my head into the monitor.

[daves]

I think the Lakers are a very good team, and will manage to steal one of the first two in Boston.

And I think Celtics will probably win one, but not two, in Los Angeles.

Which means the series will come to Boston with the Lakers up 3-2. I think if the Celtics can manage to win Game 6, they will have enough momentum to win Game 7.

So as I see it, it's either the Lakers in 6, or the Celtics in 7.

From your analysis, I'm not sure if you know that in the Final' the home and home format in Basketball goes to a 2-3-2 format rather than a 2-2-1-1-1 in the Conference playoffs.

I have my doubts that Boston will make it out of LA?

[Arctic Blast]

Lakers in 6. I just have not been impressed with Boston overall...they've made the finals, yes, but made it a LOT harder on themselves than would seem necessary. Too many clutch shots missed, too many clutch points given UP, too many breakdowns in big situations, and FAR too many road struggles.

[asianinvasion]

KG/Gasol Winner-KG- KG will get his 20 and 10 and Gasol will have no answer for KG's D
Pierce/Kobe Winner-Kobe- Pierce has done a good job during the playoffs but Kobe will still have 25/7/7 per game.
Allen/Radmonovic Winner-Wash- Allen is quicker than Vlad but has been in a slump lately, might break out. Vlad has about 5 inches on Ray so he could shoot over him all day. Not much of an option though.
Perkins/Odom Winner-Odom- Odom has been the third guy for the Lakers and has been productive. Perkins has had some big games but has had foul trouble.
Rondo/Fisher Winner- Fisher- Fisher has the experience and makes the big shots for the Lakers. Rondo is young and makes alot of careless turnovers.

Bench
Posey/Vujacic Winner-Posey- Posey has been great off the bench with critical 3's and defense. Vujacic can shoot the three and also plays good defense but Posey is better.
Cassell-House/Farmar- Winner- Farmar- Both Cassell and House have been struggling making shots and leading the team and Cassell has been benched. Farmar is a good backup and can make shots.
Davis/Turiaf- Winner- Wash- Both players are about the same. High energy and good production. Both players help in their own ways.

Coaches
Rivers/Jackson Winner-Jackson. Jackson has won like 9 titles as a coach and 2 as a player and Rivers has won none. Jackson just knows how to win

Final Analysis
Lakers in 6

[koolzach1]

KG/Gasol Winner-KG- KG will get his 20 and 10 and Gasol will have no answer for KG's D
Pierce/Kobe Winner-Kobe- Pierce has done a good job during the playoffs but Kobe will still have 25/7/7 per game.
Allen/Radmonovic Winner-Wash- Allen is quicker than Vlad but has been in a slump lately, might break out. Vlad has about 5 inches on Ray so he could shoot over him all day. Not much of an option though.
Perkins/Odom Winner-Odom- Odom has been the third guy for the Lakers and has been productive. Perkins has had some big games but has had foul trouble.
Rondo/Fisher Winner- Fisher- Fisher has the experience and makes the big shots for the Lakers. Rondo is young and makes alot of careless turnovers.

Bench
Posey/Vujacic Winner-Posey- Posey has been great off the bench with critical 3's and defense. Vujacic can shoot the three and also plays good defense but Posey is better.
Cassell-House/Farmar- Winner- Farmar- Both Cassell and House have been struggling making shots and leading the team and Cassell has been benched. Farmar is a good backup and can make shots.
Davis/Turiaf- Winner- Wash- Both players are about the same. High energy and good production. Both players help in their own ways.

Coaches
Rivers/Jackson Winner-Jackson. Jackson has won like 9 titles as a coach and 2 as a player and Rivers has won none. Jackson just knows how to win

Final Analysis
Lakers in 6

Great breakdown.

[Clay Dreslough]

From your analysis, I'm not sure if you know that in the Final' the home and home format in Basketball goes to a 2-3-2 format rather than a 2-2-1-1-1 in the Conference playoffs.

Right. I think Boston will win 1 of 2 in Boston. Then LA wins 2 of 3 in LA. That sends it back to Boston for both game 6 and 7. But the Celtics would have to win both at that point, which will not be easy.

[daves]

You'd have to be loyal to Boston to choose them. Look at the road to the finals comparison:

Hawks-losing record 4 to 3
Cleveland 4 to 3
Pistons 4 to 2
Overall 12 to 8 60% winning %


Nuggets 4 to 0
Jazz 4 to 2
Spurs-defending champs 4 to 1
Overall 12 to 3 80% winning %

Not only did the Lakers have a tougher road, they did much better.

[georgezepeda]

Wasn't really sure where to post this, but the big question tonight is who's going to win the 2008 NBA Finals? I live in LA but I'm originally from Houston so I'm not a big Lakers fan, but I will say that I think the Lakers will take it in 6. Kobe has just been playing so well lately that it could be tough to stop them. I didn't realize they were actually really pretty good, much better than I thought. I couldn't believe they took down the Spurs as easy as they did. Here's a video simulation of Game 1 of the Finals on NBA 2K8 and it predicts the Celtics taking it. This game looks freakin awesome btw!!! It's funny to see what team wins in this simulation, how close will it be to reality? Not the biggest fan of his but I think Kobe is going to pull this one out. Shaq who?


2008 NBA Finals on NBA 2K8 Game 1 Simulation

[HoustonGM]

You posted this in the right place, but there's already a thread for this, although on the 2nd page of this forum, so I'm going to merge this with that one.

[jcbarr]

I think the Lakers are overhyped. We saw last night that if Kobe isn't on the top of his game then they have some big trouble. They are a talented team and are going to get at least two games, but if they can't find a way to defend the big three then they are going to be out in 6 no questions asked.

I think the Celtics did the right thing last night. Let Pierce D up on Kobe and let him try to take him. If he does then no big deal. Like I have been telling everyone here at work; if Kobe scores 40 and the rest of his team scores 40 then who do you think is going to win that game?

[dickay]

I predict the Celtics will at least take the first game.