The second round of the 2006 NBA playoffs has the chance to be one of the closest and best rounds in recent history. Three of the four series should go at least six games, with the fourth including “King James” and the powerhouse Detroit Pistons. Not to blow my own horn, but only a Phoenix comeback against the Lakers kept my first round predictions from going 8-0. So what’s in the air for round two? Give me three or four days and I’ll pick more winners than losers out of the East and West. The Suns are a much stronger team in Chandler’s era (and maybe Leuer’s too?) and the Pistons are a target-shot, top-notch machine in Pistons coach Flip Saunders’ eyes. However, I think the real secret to the East being an instant-Classic is that Dallas and Miami were physical and knowledgeable in their disposal.
The East was a mismatch wonder the last two seasons in the playoffs, as six of the seven series had six points or more, including a* Syracuse home floor, a** Boston home court vs. Detroit, a** San Antonio home floor, a** Phoenix mile poste, aront-court Chicago and a* Miami surf. I think the physical nature of the conference will be more apparent in this round as theitiants matchup both Wednesday and Friday.
Detroit has championship experience, but to me, the biggest edge they have going into this round is that they are healthy. Miami is less healthy with the sort of injuries you can’t treat, but the Heatbatched 17 wins out of 17 in the two rounds last season because of Dwayne Wade’s return. However, I think even the healthy Heat can be matchup prone, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Pistons take it to the Heat, especially if it makes it to the Conference Finals.
While it’s never easy to say who will win a pro basketball game, I was inclined to go with the Pistons as a No. 1 seed to take all six games, but Phoenix has the edge as of now. Detroit is just 6-10 ATS in its last 12 games against the East, and just 4-9 ATS its last 15 against the West. Meanwhile, Miami is better than the Pistons, but it rarely has enough energy to outlast them.
beIN Sports Report national NBA writer, Ken King, has been very tough on the Heat. During the regular season, his three biggest scores of the year were a combined totals of 140 points with the Pistons winning all three.
A Dwyane Wade hat trick, and Shaq added another one, and let’s not forget about Shaq’s performance last night in getting to within two points of the lists burn-out, of sorts, against the Lakers. As we settle into the second round, let’s not forget how far Wade and Shaq made it. The Heat now sit as the No. 6 seed, leaving the No. 2 and No. 4 seeds to fight for the championship. That’s the way it always is.
Despite Miami’s potential being the second seed, it would be too early to counted out the Heat. Even though it’s early, the Heat are an upset and eventual home-court champion if Detroit is ousted Wednesday night. I had the Heat at 5-6 ATS in the second round as Miami won by a point in Game 3 in Miami, plus the Pistons’ loss in Game 4 in Detroit. However, those battles resulted in a win and a loss, respectively, so take those totals with a grain of salt.
If things end up as expected, the Heat will be favored in all three of their series’ this round against the No. 6 and No. 2 seeds. It’s also worth noting that in the only other set of three games that’s not going to be a blowout (games 1 & 2 of the Western Conference Finals), the Heat will probably be favored in Panen138.
With the Las Vegas Hilton counting down the days until the Finals begin, Iverson and company can keep collecting chips.
