\n<\/p>\n
The jockeying for playoff position in the NBA remains highly entertaining.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s so captivating, it reminds me of conference tournaments in college basketball.<\/p>\n
Those games are the best \u2014 teams putting everything they have into every game for fear it might be their last. Or worse yet, relegation to the CBI.<\/p>\n
Then reality sets in \u2026<\/p>\n
Duke 85, Alabama 65.<\/p>\n
Auburn 78, Michigan 65.<\/p>\n
Florida 87, Maryland 71.<\/p>\n
Houston 69, Tennessee 50.<\/p>\n
And here I thought those losers were good.<\/p>\n
Turns out, those weren\u2019t great basketball showcases leading into the NCAA Tournament. Just competitive.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s that have to do with the NBA? Everything, actually.<\/p>\n
The Pacers and Rockets are rolling. The Magic and Warriors suddenly look strong. The Knicks, Bucks, Lakers, Nuggets \u2026<\/p>\n
Nope. I\u2019m not falling for this again.<\/p>\n
The NBA has itself a Duke, an Auburn and a Florida this season. The only thing lacking is a Houston \u2014 and that\u2019s OK, because they\u2019re kinda boring.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no way \u2014 repeat, NO WAY \u2014 the Cavaliers and Celtics don\u2019t meet in the Eastern Conference finals.<\/p>\n
The Cavaliers are Auburn. The dominant team in the regular season<\/a>, yet people never really believed in them. But believe it, people. Auburn made the semifinals. The Cavaliers will, too.<\/p>\n The Celtics are Duke. The team people like to root against because they\u2019re stuffy and easily the most talented<\/a>. They already have enough banners. And don\u2019t look now, but they should be the overwhelming favorite to hang another.<\/p>\n The Thunder are Florida. The out-of-nowhere team that can\u2019t possibly have enough postseason experience to go all the way. But sometimes, what you don\u2019t know can\u2019t hurt you.<\/p>\n And the rest of the NBA? They\u2019re Mount St. Mary\u2019s. Man, they were fun to watch in the conference tournament. But then the bright lights came on and the makeup melted.<\/p>\n Can one of the other 13 teams that will make the NBA playoffs pull off the colossal upset? It surely won\u2019t happen in the East, where the six other quarterfinalists could merge rosters and still lose 4-2 to the Cavaliers and 4-1 to the Celtics in the Eastern semis.<\/p>\n There\u2019s only one scenario that could derail the Big Three …<\/p>\n If the Thunder are to be denied their spot in the NBA Finals, here\u2019s how it\u2019s going to have to happen:<\/p>\n Round 1: They get bullied.<\/strong><\/p>\n Thunder boss Sam Presti has brilliantly molded his roster. Adding a bodyguard (Isaiah Hartenstein) for fragile co-star Chet Holmgren was a stroke of genius.<\/p>\n If Holmgren can stay healthy, the Thunder will make the Finals. A first-round matchup against a soft team like the Warriors, Grizzlies or Kings would be ideal.<\/p>\n But a wrestling match with the Timberwolves would be a disaster.<\/p>\n You remember the T\u2019wolves. They slayed the giant \u2014 the Nuggets \u2014 last season and have the depth of big guys to pound the Thunder up front. That\u2019s bad news for Holmgren, who might survive to see Round 2, but not without a limp and multiple ice bags.<\/p>\n