After the greatest NBA regular season in modern history, the playoffs begin. We start in the inferior East ... but with a highly compelling pairing: LeBron's Cleveland Cavaliers and those shadowy Washington Wizards. The smack is plentiful, the hype is high. I'm ready. I think these guys are, too.
Newest FHer Matt Moore shared his Five Things to Watch this morning. Matt Watson previewed the series Thursday. Moondog and G-Wiz have had their opportunities to predict the outcome. And at 12:30 p.m. Eastern, when this thing tips off, we'll have the live blog for you, right here in this thread. Stay tuned.
12:17: This is way pre-game, but Rick Carlisle was just called "Soulja Boy" by Dave Pasch. It needs to be noted.
12:30: Stephen A. Smith (in an unholy studio pairing with Jalen Rose) just predicted Gilbert Arenas would have a triple-double or 40-point game. So, um, keep an eye on Gil.
12:36: Wally Szczerbiak is starting in playoff series. I feel like it's 1998 all over again.
12:39: Pasch just asked Carlisle a question. Carlisle did not answer. You're not allowed to text message your wife during games, Rick!
12:40: Washington's gold shirt-black shorts combo remains ridiculous.
12:43: Wally scores a three to make it 9-2 Cavs, which results in a Wally fist pump. Carlisle lauds starting Wally over Sasha Pavlovic.
12:45: Cleveland 11, Brendan Haywood 6. A 15-footer, a putback, and an ugly half-hook. (Make that eight after a delivery from Butler.)
12:48: The 'Zards have managed to fight back to get it to 13-10, with not much from Tough Juice or The King yet. I'm thinking Gil might come in after this commercial break ... to start his quest for a triple-double or 40-point game!
12:51: You know to settle the Vinsanity-'Tawn debate: Battle of the Eyebrows. I've got Vince in six.
12:53: Gil enters with 3 min 42 sec left in the first. Shockingly, Cleveland fans are not in favor of this.
12:55: ... and Arenas fires off an airball from the corner.
12:58: It's probably good Cleveland didn't trade for Mike Bibby. He and LeBron would've fought over the nail clippers.
12:59: Tracy McGrady, #4 per-game postseason scorer of all-time. Think they'll post that one as Houston trails in Game 7 against Utah?
1:00: Foreign oil! Gil hits.
1:01: Varejao's hair looks a bit deflated today. Must be humid in Cleveland.
1:02: Not the face! No!!! LeBron gets busted in the lip, looks like he's about to pass out. Pretty egregious non-call, on reply.
1:04: Andray Blatche nails LeBron again. The Icon gets the call on this one, makes one of two. 21-18 'Zards.
1:05: Wow! LeBron gets to Blatche again, and sends a forearm into Andray's neck. "Stop hittin' me, man!"
1:06: Assassin! Gil hits from about 35 feet for no apparent reason.
New thread starting... now.
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