Celtics/Rockets Even Their Series [David Stefanini]

While the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets have established themselves as the two dominant teams in this years playoffs with 3-0 series leads over their respected opponents; the Lakers and Celtics find themselves in a dog-fight.

On Sunday, the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets tied their respected series at 2-2. Both teams are without their injured big men, but both teams found a way to battle and pull out victories.

The Celtics who already went through a seven game war with the Chicago Bulls find themselves in another street fight with the Orlando Magic. After the Magic won game 1, and then took a 2-1 series lead, the outlook for the Celtics looked bleak. They found themselves down by one point with little time left and the ball in the hands of their closer, Paul Pierce. Everyone in the arena, and everyone watching TV knew what was coming, a pull up jump shot from the elbow by Pierce. Then the unthinkable happened. Pierce passed the ball to an open Glen 'Big Baby' Davis, who goes on to hit the game winning jump shot at the buzzer. Game 5 is on Tuesday and promises to be very exciting.

Onto the West Coast where the Rockets pulled off one of the more shocking victories we have seen this playoff season. One day after finding out they will be without All-Star Yao Ming for the remainder of the playoffs, down 2-1 in the series, and giving home court back to the Lakers the Rockets start out on fire hitting every shot they threw up at the rim. The final score, a 12 point victory for the Rockets, was not an indicator as to how lob sided this game was. The Lakers were never in contention in this game. Everyone expected a blowout in this game, but from the other team. Game 5 is going to be back in Lakerland, where I fully anticipate the Rockets to receive a spanking. The Rockets played with great emotion feeding off their home crowd, but now the Lakers are going to be ready for an explosion early and often.

Predictions: Celtics win Game 5, Lakers win Game 5