***OFFICIAL PF.org NBA PLAYOFF THREAD

[the alex]

My most notable bets:
$100 Denver +700
$50 Jersey +800
$150 Indiana +120
$150 Rockets +110

I said at the beginning of the season that I liked the Rockets to got to the Finals a lot. I might've said it here. They're gonna have + odds in every round unless they play Denver in the second round. I like Miami to go to the finals as well, but those odds on Jersey, their play as of late, and Shaq's questionable health right now.

I love Shaq and Wade, so I really don't wanna win this bet. Not to mention my hatred for Vince Carter that stems back to his ball hogging when he was the second best player on that Raptors team that led to him taking so many shots that he'd score so many points on national TV and the media ignoring Allen Iverson and calling Vince Carter the best player in the NBA.

Of course, game by game, I'm propping it ups. This is the most excited that I've been about the NBA playoffs since the Bulls' 72-10 year in Jordan's first year back. We are definitely seeing a peak in the quality of NBA play IMHO after the worst NBA play that has ever existed that began the year after that '97 Bulls' 72-10 year. Did I mention that my Bulls went 72-10 that year?

Had to throw that jab in there for Marm.

[Announced Tilt]

I've got the Heat in the Finals. Well, I mean I have to, and I might be able to get tickets to the Finals if they make it there. That would be pretty cool. My team out of the West is the Sonics. I don't think the Spurs have the team to make it, and I have had a deep hatred for the Spurs for as long as I can remember. (Probably because my other team is the Mavs) The Suns and Sonics will make an exciting conference finals series. However, I think Denver/Seattle would be a good second round series if Denver gets past SA, which I think they will.

[Btownjay]

My Wizards are on tonight! They MUST get a win tonight to steal home court away from the Bulls. I'm also rooting for the Mavs out west but they are in big trouble.

Heat vs. Suns in the finals.

[the alex]

I think you have a better shot at seeing your Flyers win tonight, Jay.

[Btownjay]

I think you have a better shot at seeing your Flyers win tonight, Jay.

LOL... probably. But let me hope damnit!

[Marm]

GO BROWNS!!!

[the alex]

I think you have a better shot at seeing your Flyers win tonight, Jay.

What'd I say?

I was at work eating dinner and having my first cocktail of the night by the 54" TV in the back of the bar when the game started. I was pretty scared and VERY pissed when the Bulls were down 17-2 with 7 minutes left in the 1st quarter.

Of course, the they scored 53 points in the last 19 minutes of the 1st half. What a relief. We still can't beat the Heat, but wouldn't it be funny if the Bulls faced the Pistons, of all teams in the Conference Finals, lost in seven, and won the Championship the next three years?

OK. I'm gonna stop now. I just remembered that the closest that Michael Jordan is to a Bulls uni is the statue at the corner of Damen and Madison.

[Btownjay]

What'd I say?

I was at work eating dinner and having my first cocktail of the night by the 54" TV in the back of the bar when the game started. I was pretty scared and VERY pissed when the Bulls were down 17-2 with 7 minutes left in the 1st quarter.

Of course, the they scored 53 points in the last 19 minutes of the 1st half. What a relief. We still can't beat the Heat, but wouldn't it be funny if the Bulls faced the Pistons, of all teams in the Conference Finals, lost in seven, and won the Championship the next three years?

OK. I'm gonna stop now. I just remembered that the closest that Michael Jordan is to a Bulls uni is the statue at the corner of Damen and Madison.

Yeah Yeah, it sure did start out looking very good. But who the hell goes 12 of 15 from the field and 5 of 5 from the arch?? Hinrich was on fire and unstoppable! 34 points in 24 minutes is unacceptable from you defense.

But again one quarter killed the Wiz again. In the first game the Wiz were in control until the 4th quarter where they were out scored by 14 points and lost by 9. The second game they were out scored by 17 in the 2nd quarter and lost by 10. If they can play a full four quarters they would have been okay.

IMO, the Wiz have the better overall team with Jamison, Arenas, Hughes and Haywood... so they can certainly make this turn around for them. Thank god they changed to a best of 7 in the first round.

BUT... Congrats to your Bulls!

[Btownjay]

WELL WELL WELL!?!?!?!

All tied up at 2 now. What a spanking that was last night. I figured i'd change my avitar just for you for a little while.

Can you feel it? It feels like momentum is changing!

[the alex]

Let's see how they feel when they get back to Damen/Madison to see our icon outside and a packed stadium of red and black hungry for wizard blood.

It's been a fun series. Last night scared me a bit because I had the Bulls+7.5 and the lead fluctuated between 6 and 9 for a while. I won it by a half a point. I've still got my baby Bulls. From the Heat sweeping the Nets, whoever wins this series is gonna get sewpt by the Heat. They've been the best team in the meague since August and a rested up Shaq makes them even better.

The Mavs./Rockets series is the one that's really surprising me and there was no reason for the Rockets to lose last night's game. I agree with Van Gundy and agree with the fine, but the fine was extremely excessive. The Rockets are still my pick to face the Heat in the finals.

The Rockets are gonna have a tough time with the Suns who are gonna have a tough time with the Sonics. The West looks very interesting, to say the least.

Here in the East, Detroit's gonna own Indiana or Boston. My pick's still Indiana, but it doesn't really matter. The Heat and Pistons are gonna flat out beat the hell out of each other and how badly B. Wallace pounces on Shaq and Mourning will be the deciding factor.

What a year for hoops?