Rory Gold

Good bye to a legend – On Tuesday saw the final play in the career of Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacque Wamutombo, or Deke as his friends call him.

It was not the way any of us wanted Dikembe Mutombo’s career to end. Writhing in pain on the floor of the Rose Garden. Deke was not returning next season but if their was a player who deserved a long drawn out standing ovation when he left the court the final time, it was Deke. Read more

The Western Conference playoffs feature the Lakers and 7 very good teams trying to knock them off. Every series with the exception of the aforementioned Lakers will be a close one. Let’s have a look at how each will play out.

Lakers – Jazz

The Lake show won the Western Conference by 11 games, with Denver finishing a distant 2^nd. After their dismal finals performance in 2008, Kobe and the Lakers are hungrier and more focused than anytime in recent memory. The Jazz were a dark horse pick just a few months ago but they dropped into the kill zone. Utah will bow out quickly to the Lakers.

Rory Gold says, “NBA Bettors should take the Lakers in 5.”

Nuggets – Hornets

The Nuggets haven’t won a postseason series in their past seven attempts. While the number two seed is usually a bye to the next round, the Hornets are as dangerous as any team not named the Lakers or Cavs. Chris Paul will be in tough though, he’ll be going head to head with Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups. This series will come down to whether the fragile Hornets can last the 7 game pounding they are sure to receive from Denver.

Rory Gold says, “NBA Bettors should take the Nuggets in 7.” Read more

The Eastern Conference playoffs just got a whole lot clearer after the news broke that Kevin Garnett would likely miss the entirety of the playoffs. With the Celtics missing their big man and defensive warrior, they only team that poses a threat to Cleveland’s coronation are the Orlando Magic. Let’s have a look at the first round and make a prediction for each series.

Cleveland – Detroit

LeBron will receive his first MVP award in a couple weeks time but LeBron has a more important trophy in mind. The addition of Mo Williams has given this team a second legit scoring option. But this team is LeBron’s and he’ll do everything in his power to make them champions. Expect to see something we’ve never seen before. Average a triple double for the series? Maybe? Let me know if you have your own LeBron predictions for the playoffs.

The Pistons won their first game vs. the Cavs but were beat comfortably in the final three games of the season series. The Pistons don’t have a chance in this series.

Rory Gold says, “NBA Bettors should take Cleveland in 4.”

Boston – Chicago

The city of Boston woke up this morning to the news KG will likely miss the entire playoffs. The question remains do Paul Pierce, Ray Ray and co. have enough to get them to the Eastern final? The answer is no. Chicago is not strong enough to win this series over 7 games but Derrick Rose and the rest of the young Bulls will gain some playoff experience. Don’t be surprised if the Bulls take a couple games from the deflated Celtic

Rory Gold says, “NBA Bettors should take Boston in 6.”

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