Cs Section

Cavaliers-Celtics:

Finally, we're down to some actual teams in the East instead of... well, you know, the East. And we get what promised to be, before Garnett went down in SLC last year, the real finals for the years of 2009-2012: C vs C, Le-Bron vs. Three, a new rivalry to challlenge those of old, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame against Harvard. That's all ruined, but we still have what promises to be, short of the Eastern Conference Finals and actual Finals, one of this playoff season's best matchups.

Of course Boston is not what it used to be. Garnett went down and is no longer the monster that even McHale couldn't destroy. Pierce may or may not still be the not false. And Rasheed Wallace has taken the place of House, Powe, and Cassell. And Cleveland is not what it once was either. Since losing in 7 games to the Cs during their ascendent 2007-08 season, Cleveland has acquired 2 trophys for its King (and yours), 2 best records of the year, 1 ill-advised COY award, and the contracts of an aging, but still good center (some irish guy) as well as Antawn Jamison.

All these factors plus a LeBron that everyone says really wants it have conventional wisdom placing this series at 5 games. I think that that's a little to hard on the Celtics. First of all, although not capable of what they once were they can play defense better than most, a trait that tends to frustrate the Cavs, forcing them to rely too heavily on LeBron (as was seen in last year's Eastern Conference Finals). The Celtics are probably slightly underrated, too. People saw the Heat putting up much more of a fight, but the Celtics, like the Lakers in the West, still seem able to play hard and win in the playoffs, quickly quieting naysayers. The Celtics are tough, and the Cavaliers can be effected a little by toughness. Garnett knows how to talk shit and did so to great effect last time these two teams met (causing the Real LBJ to miss a three to win). Both teams do not like their opponents, but while the Cavs seem to shrug off this kind of hatred (or at worst, get rattled by it) the Celtics thrive on it. The type of gritty, grinding series these factors predict would seem to favor the Celtics over the Cavaliers. Of course, sloppy, solipsistic, sports psychology is a much worse determiner than points diferential, record, home-court, and having won the first game, so I still expect the Cs (Cavs) to win, but I expect them to get bruised, frustrated, and occasionally humiliated along the way.

Interesting Stories:

Last time these teams played in the playoffs the final game was a shootout between LeBron and Paul Pierce. While the King scored more points, the Truth's team won, and the man went on to be Finals MVP. I think that he will likely be a big factor in this series. So far he's been pretty quiet in the playoffs. If he can deliver in a few of these games, he might be able to dismantle the calm, cool, Cavs and force them to revert to their previous form, the LeBrons.

Not-Interesting Stories:

LeBron's elbow.

Prediction:

Cavaliers in 7 (Game 1, Game 3, Game 5, Game 7)