On todays ESPN NBA Daily dish.. Brian and Chad talked about the series.

Brian picked the celtics in 7.

Last time one of our own beat writers picked the cavs to lose (terry pluto picked the cavs to lose in 2006 to the wizards in 6) LeBron took that very personal and was VERY mad that one of the cavs beat writers picked againts them.

- I think Brian might be overestimating Rondo. Yes, he can cause havoc because he can get to the hoop, and after watching our point guards have trouble keeping the Wizards out of the paint, it’s definitely a cause for concern. But anytime he shoots more than 10 shots, he misses a bunch of them. I’d call this one a draw. Both Rondo and West could come through, or they could be non-existent, and they’ll probably take turns being a bit of each throughout the series.

- I wouldn’t be surprised if Mike Brown again tries to see what Wally can give them early, much like he used to do with Z. If Wally can contribute offensively, you’ll take his problems on defense. But if he can’t, then I’d expect the Cavs to go small a lot, putting West on Allen and putting Gibson on Rondo.

- I’m worried about Wallace’s ability to keep Garnett off the boards. Antawn Jamison was all over the glass during the Wizards series, and he’s nowhere near the rebounder that KG is.

- Despite all the wins the Celtics piled up, they aren’t a great offensive team, and they have no post presence. They are solely a perimeter team, and I expect the Mike Brown and the Cavs to put pressure on them to make jump shots. And they might, they have very good shooters. But the Celtics aren’t likely to run away from the Cavs offensively, so the Cavs might be able to take a punch or two and still have a shot to climb back in to the game. That gives the Cavs an advantage, because if things are tight in the 4th Quarter, the Celtics don’t have the go-to scorer to carry them through.

- Brian is absolutely right that Mike Brown is the better coach (though he will always do things that drive you crazy). Brown has outcoached Flip Saunders, Lawrence Frank and Eddie Jordan in his short career, and he will certainly school Doc “I can’t beat the Hawks on the road” Rivers.

- I don’t like the Cavs’ chances tonight. The Celtics and their fans will be running high on emotion, and I’m not sure that LeBron’s supporting cast will rise to the occasion. And I don’t like the Cavs’ chances if the series goes 7. So I guess I’m taking them in 6.

Go Cavs.

Mike C.