The Rockets Will Finally Advance to Round Two

We saw another team go home last night as expected (Hornets), and tonight, we have the chance to see three more have their season end. The Bulls and Sixers face elimination at home, while the Blazers have to hold off Houston on the road. None have easy tasks, but two will survive to face game 7.

Celtics vs. Bulls
7PM EST - TNT
Game Preview - BlogaBull.com

If there is any doubt what one series has been must see TV so far, its been the Celtics and Bulls.  Each game has had drama from start to finish, with three overtime games and last second shots by some of the games best scorers. Game five saw the flagrant foul that wasn’t, as Rajon Rondo clotheslined Brad Miller, forcing him to take two pressure packed foul shots while bleeding and woozy. Tonight, the United Center should be louder than it has ever been in the post-Jordan era. Boston has been here before, and I expect the Celtics to try to jump on Chicago, much like they did in Game three. Don’t expect anything different from the previous five games. There will be ties, lead changes, momentum turns, a few technical fouls, some physical play, etc. When it is all said and done, the Bulls don't go out on the home court though. Will there be a Tyrus Thomas sighting in the fourth quarter?

Bulls 95
Celtics 92

Magic vs. Sixers
7:30PM EST - NBA TV
Game Preview - DepressedFan.com

The Philadelphia 76ers have the Magic right where they want them, right? Game Six, at home, and Orlando is playing without Dwight Howard (suspended) or Courtney Lee (injured). Philly is down 3-2 in the series, but it’s a given they will blow out the Magic, right? No. Stan Van Gundy can pull the “Us Against The World” card out tonight, and throw in a little “No one expects you to win tonight” with it. I think the Magic play a solid defensive game, and Rashard Lewis will pick up the scoring slack. In the fourth though, the 2 Andres take over, and Philly pulls away to force Game seven.

Sixers 103
Magic 94

Blazers vs. Rockets
9:30PM EST - TNT
Game Preview - The Dream Shake

April 30, 2009. The day the Rockets finally make it to round two. The Blazers are young, talented, and have the most upside of any franchise in the West right now, however Houston is built to win this game tonight. Brandon Roy won’t go out without a fight, and the Rockets will have to fight to close this out at home. But for the Rockets and their fans, this is their game seven. They cannot lose this game, and face the possibility of another playoff failure. Yao Ming and Ron Artest dig deep and will Houston to a victory.

Rockets 105
Blazers 95

Courtesy: LayupDrill.com