Though down one game to none after a tough one point loss to the favored Atlanta Hawks in game one of their NBA preliminary series, I still believe the Boston Celtics will win the series, certainly make it very competitive.
Amidst 5 routs by favored, higher seeded teams, both the Celtics and Detroit Pistons (vs the Cleveland Cavaliers) lost tough decisions in game one while the Indiana Pacers won outright at Toronto vs the Raptors.
I will stick with my Celtics in 7 prediction in their series vs the Atlanta Hawks, a team on track and not in the Cavaliers’ “bracket” to improve on their woeful NBA semi-final record.
Before the NHL first round playoffs schedule was set, Anaheim Ducks’ coach Bruce Boudreau still seeking his first NHL finals appearance, I believe correctly asked that the Ducks’ opener not be played last Wednesday night in conflict with the NBA Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant’s much ballyhooed last game.
Be careful what you wish for as the Ducks got to open two nights later on Friday and now as aftershock to Bryant’s largely meaningless and certainly beyond hyped, 60 point effort in what was essentially an exhibition game, both L.A. area NHL teams, the L.A. Kings and Anaheim Ducks are down 2 games to none after losing a pair of home games in their first round series, vs the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators respectively.
On a brighter note in L.A. sports, as expected the heavily favored NBA Clippers rolled by Portland (Trail Blazers) in their preliminary series opening game.
When game 3, eventually won by the St. Louis Blues,(vs the Chicago Blackhawks) was tied (2-2) in the third period, I predicted the Blues would win on a Schwartz (Jaden) goal.
That is what happened and my “vibe” came from the fact I had seen an episode of “Get Smart” titled “Schwartz’s Island,” only an hour or so before.
It was in the movie “Spaceballs,” as with “Smart,” a Mel Brooks endeavor, in which as a spoof of “Star Wars,” a character stated “May The Schwartz be with you.”
In a close series such as Blues/Blackhawks, all three games have been decided by one goal, all in the 3rd period or later as in overtime, maybe that “force” will be the difference. St. Louis leads 2 games to 1 with game 4 in Chicago tomorrow night.
Get Smart ‘Schwartz’s Island’ scene
Click above to view a small part of the episode.
Before the weekend play began, I noted that the 1991 World Series opponents, the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves each had been swept in all three series and had (0-9) records.
Each team dug itself out a bit by sweeping weekend series meaning all 8 series involving the Twins and Braves have resulted in three game sweeps.
Atlanta won all three in Miami vs the Marlins while the Twins also swept a “regional” type/named team, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Both teams won extra inning games to complete those sweeps.
Surely the San Jose Sharks have been down this road before holding and dissipating a three games to none series lead vs the eventual Stanley Cup champion, Los Angeles Kings two years ago, but winning the first two games in L.A. puts them in great position to win the series.
Two years ago the Sharks had home ice advantage, now they do not. I predicted they would win this series and firmly believe they will take care of business this time.
I say 4 straight for the Sharks which would mean Al Michaels and the other Kings’ fans have seen their last home game this season.
This is no knock on the Kings, a fabulous group with 2 Stanley Cup titles to show for their recent great success. I believe the Sharks will not only win vs L.A. but will win their next series vs either the division top seed, Anaheim Ducks or the Nashville Predators.
Currently the Predators lead Anaheim 1 game to none.
Dionne Warwick – Do You Know the Way to San Jose
Click above to view and hear this great song written by Burt Bacharach and performed by Ms. Warwick
The television show “Get Smart,” with such writers as Mel Brooks and Buck Henry was a big hit, premiering over 50 years ago. This weekend, the television channel, “Decades” is running a “Get Smart” binge.
Late last night early this morning I watched and marveled at the comedic timing of star Don Adams with guest stars Carol Burnett and Bernie Kopell, the latter in a recurring guest role.
Add the solid performances of Ed Platt and Barbara Feldon and I remember why I liked the show so much in years past.
It is worth some time today to tune into “Get Smart” on “Decades.”
Years before mobile phones were a reality, Don Adams pictured above as agent “Maxwell Smart” used a “shoephone” on the fictional show a spoof, of secret agents.
The Boston Celtics, playing in front of greats from the 1966, 1976 and 1986 title teams roared back from a horrible first half to defeat the miami Heat in the regular season finale.
However, the Celtics got no help elsewhere and are the NBA Eastern Conference 6 seed and must face the 3 seed Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks are roughly 8 and a half to 5 series favorites.
The Celtics will win the series in 7 games.
There are four cities that have teams in the 16 team fields of both the NBA and NHL playoffs.
Those cities/areas are Detroit and Miami/Florida from each league’s Eastern Conference and Los Angeles and Dallas from each league’s Western Conference.
Detroit has the Red Wings in hockey and the Pistons in the NBA. Miami is in both league’s playoffs with the NHL East two seed, Florida Panthers and the NBA East four seed, Miami Heat.
Out West, L.A. has the NHL Kings and NBA Clippers, each with home advantage in the first round while Dallas enters the NHL West top seed, Stars and the NBA Mavericks, the NBA West six seed.
For the first time since 1970, no teams from Canada made the NHL playoffs. No team from Canada has won the Stanley Cup since 1993.
None of the seven NHL teams from Canada made the playoffs.
Of course, I am going to predict that the Golden State Warriors will win their opening round series vs the Houston Rockets.
However, I think it will a somewhat tough 5 game series.
Houston will greatly surprise the NBA by winning one game outright and covering the large spread in one of their two losses on the Warriors’ home floor.
The Warriors will win both games in Houston.
Oh do I feel fortunate to have discovered an old paperback edition of the classic book “The Godfather,” by the truly great author Mario Puzo.
Of course it was the basis for two great movies “The Godfather” and “The Godfather, Part Two.”
As I slowly read the book for the first time in many years, hoping to savor each page gaining new perspective, I will post a few comments and or tidbits here, so stay tuned.
Early on here is a good tidbit: In the movie, “The Godfather,” at the beginning two people are shown asking “Don Corleone” aka “The Godfather” played brilliantly by Marlon Brando for favors on his daughter’s wedding day.
In the book there is a third person, coincidentally perhaps named Coppola. The Godfather movies were eventually directed brilliantly by Francis Ford Coppola.
Andy B Sports 