Who Rules the Castle if the King is Gone? (Conference Finals Predictions)

Well, we've finally finished with the second round and instead of the story of the league being the match-ups for the next round, most sports analysts are discussing what's next for Lebron James and where he'll end up . Luckily for you though we here at Every Day is a Sports Day will buck the trend and focus on the games still left to play. In this round we have a couple of regulars and a couple of surprises. Most people penciled in the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers into at least the conference finals this year. But a few months ago no one would have thought the Boston Celtics or the Phoenix Suns would have made it this far, especially not through the teams they had to endure in the semifinals. The supposedly old and slow Celtics beat the King and his minions while the Suns exorcised the San Antonio demon that has plagued them for years. Now we get to see if these two underdogs can produce some excitement in this round and perhaps knock out the two returning Finals participants. Here are our predictions as to who will advance to play for the NBA Championship:

Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic - Celtics won game 1 - 92-88

Girmay:  I just have one question: who on the Celtics gonna stop Dwight? Magic will take the Celtics in 6

Marcus:  I see this new(for one series against rather sub-par competition) slightly smarter and less foul-prone Dwight Howard having a great series against Kevin Garnett, drawing double teams and then...well, it's lights out as the 3 pointers fly.  If this basketball-playing Vince Carter guy continues to show up, as opposed to the one who played the rest of the season...look out, this could be even less than six games.  Boston's key strength will come in Rondo.  I think that defensively, the Celtics will look considerably less formidable against the Magic as they'll have to guard everyone on the floor, rather than just LBJ. I think this is a 6 game series going to Orlando.

Michelle: Boston fans will continually tell you that the Celtics are a "playoff team" and I'm starting to believe it.  I think they have found their rhythm as a team again and have a developed an offense with several potential threats.  And to be honest, I wish I could say that I was really watching the Magic this post season but I haven't I because blowouts bore me.  I'm not sure if the lack of real competition has help or hurt Orlando. Boston will win. 

Sport4Prophet's Pick: The Magic have the offense while the Celtics provide the defense. The Celtics are playing as if this is their last chance to taste championship glory again while the Magic were able to roll off 8 straight in their quest to avenge last years Finals defeat. The Celtics were the best road team in the league this year and the Magic have the deepest bench in the game right now. So who will prevail? I believe youth wins out over experience, as the Celtics just run out of steam down the stretch. Magic in 7.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Girmay: I just think the Lakers are too big for the Suns to take on. The Suns have a better point guard but that's about it. Lakers will take the Suns in 5.

Marcus: I think Phoenix is going to have the exact same issue that Utah had with LA.  Size and Kobe.  No one can match up with 2 7 footers simultaneously on the floor, and 3 is just unfair.  I see point guard being very interesting.  Nash will have a good series abusing Derek Fisher...Derek Fisher will have a decent series abusing (to whatever extent he's capable of) Steve Nash.  The one Laker concern I see is more or less Pau Gasol not being able to play physically enough against Amare, but I've always thought that talent trumps physicality, and Gasol has that in ever-expanding spades  They also have no Kobe stopper of any sort at all...not that anyone does. LA in 4 + Number of Games the Lakers take off (same estimate as last series, except they didn't take any off).

Michelle: I think I'm pulling for Kobe and Company.  They have had a long break to recovery from being banged up and bruised so all the great things that we saw from them in the Utah series should be taken to the next level. The thing to watch her is if Robin Lopez coming off the bench becomes the X factor for the Suns to pull the upset. Lakers win.

Sport4Prophet's Pick: As much as I would love to see Steve Nash and company finally get a chance at a ring, it just doesn't seem likely that they can overcome the Lakers might. If you have to depend on Jason Collins to stop anybody even a hobbled Andrew Bynum you have to be worried. If Robin Lopez comes back the series may become more interesting but as it stands right now with the way the Lakers are currently playing the Suns only stand the slimmest of chances. Sadly, Lakers in 5.