2008 Detroit Pistons v. Boston Celtics Playoff Predictions

It hasn't been easy for the number one seed Celtics to get to the Eastern Conference Finals, but they've made it nevertheless, and will now meet up with the number two seed Detroit Pistons to see who will advance to the NBA Finals. With as much trouble as Boston has had with their first two opponents, backers are sure to jump ship in this series when the Celtics face a much more formidable opponent, but will Jimmy Boyd be doing the same? Check out who Jimmy Boyd likes to win this series in this 2008 Eastern Conference Finals predictions article.

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Why the Celtics will win:

The Celtics took two of the three regular season meetings in this matchup during the regular season, but the playoffs have taught us that the regular season is a completely different bird. Boston was the best road team in the regular season, for example, but are yet to win on the road in the postseason. But a big key for Boston here is that they will have that home court advantage which has gotten them to this point. As long as they continue to hold serve at home, they will advance to the Finals. Another thing in Boston's favor is that they know they are capable of playing much better basketball. All it will take is one road win and we can watch this team's confidence grow significantly. I will argue that Boston had the tougher road to get to this point having to go through the defending Eastern Conference champs. You can bet that the Pistons didn't want any part of the team which sent them home last season. Because Detroit does not have any player capable of taking over a game like Joe Johnson, who the Celtics saw in round one, or LeBron James, I think Boston's defense will be more affective on the road.

Why the Pistons will win:

The Pistons have been the team to beat in the East the better part of this decade and have a permanent spot reserved in the Eastern Conference Finals. This gives them an edge in terms of big game experience. Also, Detroit has to be fresher than Boston as they ended their second round series with the Orlando Magic back on May 13th. That gives them a full week of rest while the Celtics must turn right around and play game one with just one day of rest. Boston is 0-6 on the road in the postseason while the Pistons are 3-2 and won at Boston during the regular season. Also, Chauncey Billups' injury, which now appears to be fine, has enabled players like the young Rodney Stuckey and veteran Lindsey Hunter to get acquainted to postseason basketball (reacquainted in Hunter's case). This will give the Pistons some more depth in their backcourt if Billups' injury flairs up.

Prediction:

Boston is going to have to win on the road to win this series as I think the Pistons will be able to steal a road game, but the Celtics will do just that. This team is far too good to be shut out on the road in the postseason and it is only a matter of time before they put it all together and get a road win. Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups, and Richard Hamilton are not quite as good as Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. The Pistons' big three have already tasted that championship while the Celtics' big three have not. I like Boston to play with more urgency and more will than Detroit, a team which did lose in last year's Eastern Conference Finals to a lesser Cleveland squad, to advance to the Finals. Boston in 7 games.

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