"DEJA VU" TIME FOR THE CELTICS

It is “Déjà vu” time for the Boston Celtics as they enter the second round of the Eastern Conference play-offs after being stretched to the limit by the upstart Chicago Bulls in a series that will surely be one of the greatest in the history of NBA play-offs.

Last year, the men in green were also forced to play a game seven against the Atlanta Hawks in the opening round. Then they again went on to a do-or-die game seven versus the Cleveland Cavaliers before stopping the Detroit Pistons in six grueling outings in the Eastern finals. Of course they smothered the Los Angeles Lakers in six games to annex their 18th league title.

Now the Beantown outfit would be facing a formidable foe in their second round match-up against Dwight “Superman” Howard and the Orlando Magic. Kevin Garnett remains a doubtful starter in the Magic series but back-up sophomore power forward Glenn “Big Baby” Davis and “do-it-all” guard Rajon Rondo had been the big revelations in the rotation of coach Doc Rivers in the ongoing post-season.

The road to championship No. 18 will be a tough one for Boston especially if Garnett would not be around. If they get past the Magic, they will be facing the formidable LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern finale.

For sure, the Celtics are now calling on the leprechaun to back-up their back-to-back title bid.

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So I went 4-4 in my first round play-off predictions. That’s a fifty percent batting average. Not bad after all. Now with the cast of the second round of play-offs already complete, my crystal ball goes back to work. Herewith are my predictions:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (#1) VS. ATLANTA HAWKS (#4)

Is this the year of the Cavs? From all indications, this might be it. There is no stopping King James and his much-improved Cavaliers.

PREDICTION: CAVALIERS 4 HAWKS 1

BOSTON CELTICS (#2) VS. ORLANDO MAGIC (#3)

With KG out, who will stop Dwight Howard? That is the main question of the series. Back-up frontliner Leon Powe is also out so what’s left for the Celtics? Kendrick Perkins, Glenn Davis and Mikki Moore will try to do the job. And remember, the Celtics still have Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. That would be enough to finish off the Magic.

PREDICTION: CELTICS 4 MAGIC 3

WESTERN CONFERENCE

LOS ANGELES LAKERS (#1) VS. HOUSTON ROCKETS (#5)

Yao Ming vs. Andrew Bynum would be a classic match-up and Ron Artest giving hell to Kobe Bryant defensively would be a much-awaited scenario. It looks like there is an upset in the making.

PREDICTION: ROCKETS 4 LAKERS 3

DENVER NUGGETS (#2) VS. DALLAS MAVERICKS (#6)

Nobody gave the Mavericks a chance against the San Antonio Spurs in the first round but look where they are right now. The Nuggets were impressive in crashing the play-offs dark horse Portland Trail Blazers but they will be facing a veteran-ladden Dallas squad featuring Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd. This is the series to watch in the second round.

PREDICTION: MAVERICKS 4 NUGGETS 3

So there it goes, the remaining eight squads vying for the Larry O’Brien trophy. I know I would raise a lot of eyebrows on my predictions but I’m sticking on what my crystal ball says.

So LET’S GET IT ON!