Per Saturday’s post, here’s some revised NBA picks in wake of Indiana and Portland not living up to expectations (Spurs v. Lakers and Pistons v. Sixers remain as before – LA and Philly in 6 apiece…Chauncey Billups may have filled out the remainder of Troy Hudson’s Kurt Warner-like contract with the devil in Games 6 and 7 against Orlando, but AI will still eat him alive.)
Sacramento v. Dallas: Dallas may have saved Nelly’s job with their fourth quarter showing in Game 7 on Sunday, but the Blazers still exposed them as soft and suspect. The Kings have trouble closing teams out, so I’ll give Dallas two wins…but that’s generous. Sacramento in six.
Boston v. New Jersey: I have to admit, Paul Pierce was much more dominant in the Indiana series than I thought he’d be – usually he has a tendency to disappear in games. But, as with the Kings, I’ll stick with my original pick and take the Nets. Sooner or later, the threeball offense will collapse on you. New Jersey in six.