[Saltheart]

I think this series which starts May 1 is likely to be the deciding series in the east and maybe for the whole NBA Championship. The key as always will be D. Can the Celtics keep the score below 90? If they do I think they win. If its over 100 its likely to be miami blowouts.

This is where we need Shaq. I don't think he has the drive to come out and play again. I'd like to be proven different but I see him just riding the injury out until the dance is over.

So anyway , I think this series will be the best basketball we'll see in the playoffs. I may even have to get into my chinese food and Mai Tai routine for this series. That behavior is normally saved for the finals but as this may well be better than the finals , I just may have to splurge on myself a little.

Anyway , its hard to pic this series without seeing at least one playoff mode game. In truth these teams have never met in the playoffs as this Miami team is a unique thing that only happens maybe every ten years in basketball. Of course I hope for the Celtics in 6 but think it will go to the wire with 7 games. I hjave never made a prediction on the Celtics losing a series so I'm not going to start now. i say the old guys got one more in them. I hope Shaq gets hit with a bolt of lightnight up his butt. that's about the only thing that may get him to at least try to contribute in this series.