I'm Picking New Jersey in Five

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I see the series going anywhere from 4 - 6 games,
so 5 constitutes the middle ground.

And the reasons why:

1. No Isiah Thomas, the Krakatoa of Coaching Disasters, helping the
Celtics as
their unofficial sixth man.

2. New Jersey players will be motivated to win, not motivated to dump
the coach.

3. Byron Scott will not have Kerry Kittles guarding Antoine.

4. Byron Scott will have Kenyon Martin guarding Toine, and he matches up
very
well indeed.

5.. As does Olympian Richard Jefferson on Pierce.

6. In fact, one of the reasons New Jersey plays so well against the
Celtics, is that they don't have to double team Pierce or Walker -
Martin and
Jefferson are so good defensively, they can get by with single coverage,

but if they should decide to double Pierce, they, the Nets have the
ability,
the team speed, to recover and prevent the other Celtics from getting
open shots.

7. Calcified Dikembe has wisely been taken out of action by Scott.

8. Kenyon Martin intimidates the Celtics frontcourt.

9. Jason Kidd will demlish the Celtics point guards as usual, and will
defensively
contain Delk.

10. When things get desperate, Wyc and Trust Fund Steve will discuss
game
strategy with O'Brien.

11. Rodney Rogers is playing much better.

12. Nets have the home court advantage.

Ray