Saturday (12/31)
Best:
Pistons @ Cavaliers: Detroit has faced very good competition whenever they've gone on the road. For the first time this year, they play on the road against a Central division opponent. San Antonio, Miami and Cleveland in one week, that's tough. The Cavs have to get balanced scoring; they can't just have LeBron scoring. Ilgauskas and Hughes will have to get a combined 38+ if Cleveland wants to beat the 2-time defending Eastern Conference champions.
Runner-up:
Suns @ Bulls: History repeats itself. While it's ancient history, who can forget the triple OT game these two teams had in the Finals back in 93? This game will be one of the finest match-ups of the year in terms of passing: expect about 50 assists in this game. Lucky for the Bulls, Amare Stoudemire is out. If he was playing, he'd steamroll through the Bulls' frontline.
Blowout:
Celtics @ Clippers: On the second day of a back-to-back, the Celtics face a better California team in the Clippers. Chris Kaman and Elton Brand had a game last week where both had 20+ rebounds. They should have no problem tearing up Mark Blount and Raef LaFrantz, who combine for a mere 8.7 RPG. They just don't have a physical frontcourt, and playing Brand and Kaman will only make it worse. Clippers win. |
