First-round playoff storylines

As the last seconds ran down in the Sixers’ improbable, 90-86 game one win over Detroit, Philadelphia play-by-play man Marc Zumoff shouted, “The Sixers have shocked the world!” Images of stunned Mongolians and staggered Algerians sprang immediately to mind in the wake of the hyperbole. Welcome to the NBA playoffs, where nothing is too small to scream about, and 1-0 leads in opening-round series can lead to preliminary planning for championship parades.

One would assume the Sixers’ early lead on the Pistons won’t stand up, unless of course Detroit decides to play the same somnolent ball that caused it to choke away a double-digit lead in the second half. Philadelphia is young, exciting and improved, but it isn’t yet ready to challenge the mighty Pistons. Then again, that opening win at The Palace was impressive.

Meanwhile, the rest of the playoffs are galloping ahead, and interesting storylines have emerged. After less than one week of action, here is what we have learned about the various series.

Detroit-Philadelphia (Philadelphia leads, 1-0): Wasn’t that funny when Rasheed Wallace stuck his head in the Sixers’ late-game huddle and pretended to be eavesdropping on Philly’s strategy? Perhaps he should have been focusing on the need to use the proper hand when shooting a layup from the left side in the waning seconds. Detroit had the game, but a free-flowing Sixer squad grabbed it back in the second half and took advantage of poor shooting and lackadaisical Piston execution to take the early series lead. Detroit still appears to have too much talent and experience for its upstart challenger, but another in-game nap could prove deadly. Updated Prediction: Pistons in six.

Boston-Atlanta (Boston leads, 1-0): The talking heads are competing to glorify the Celtics’ “Big Three,” but the really scary thing about the team’s game-one rout of the Hawks was the excellent play of point man Rajon Rondo. If he can be a consistent force over the next two months, Boston will be practically invincible. Atlanta is hardly a real test, but there can be no denying the C’s great defense. Boston has nothing to worry about here. Updated Prediction: Celtics in four.

Orlando-Toronto (Orlando leads, 1-0): Seeing how the Raptors staggered down the stretch, it’s no wonder they have fallen into a quick hole. Toronto All-Star Chris Bosh may be a force, but he and his fellow big men have no answer for Magic powerhouse Dwight Howard, who had 25 points and 22 boards in the opener. While he was going nuts, Orlando’s perimeter weapons drilled three-pointer after three-pointer. The Magic aren’t a juggernaut, but they have too much for the Raptors. Updated Prediction: Magic in five.

Cleveland-Washington (Cleveland leads, 2-0): So this is how it’s going to be, eh? The Wiz can’t win playing basketball, so it will start playing rollerball. Things got so physical in the second game that it looked like a broadcast of Monday Night Football — without the stupid guest in the booth. Washington players started the foolishness with comments about the Cavs’ vulnerability. DeShawn Stevenson flapped his yap. Agent Zero chimed in. And the best they could muster in Monday’s 116-86 loss was a Brendan Haywood cheap shot that earned the cement-footed center an ejection. Classy work. Time for the grown-ups in the NBA office to get involved before somebody gets seriously injured. Updated prediction: Cleveland in five.

Los Angeles-Denver (Los Angeles leads, 1-0): If Pau Gasol is going to go crazy for the next two months, the Lakers could well be hoisting their 14th championship banner next November. His performance in the opener against the Nuggets was quite impressive, although Denver didn’t put up much of a defensive fight, as usual. This is the perfect tuneup for L.A., which doesn’t need to worry about getting banged around by the finesse-happy Nuggets. And Kobe Bryant hasn’t even had to go off yet. Updated Prediction: Los Angeles in five.

New Orleans-Dallas (New Orleans leads, 1-0): If you want to sum up the Mavericks’ personality, just look at what happened after Hornets forward David West gave Dirk Nowitzki a tap on the cheek. Nothing. Nobody on Dallas stepped up, least of all Nowitzki, the team leader. Meanwhile, the Hornets were overcoming a 12-point deficit and pulling away to win by double figures. For a while, Mavs owner Mark Cuban looked like one of the NBA smart guys, but his decision to trade for Jason Kidd doesn’t look too sharp right now. Dallas has no spark and no chance. Updated Prediction: New Orleans in six.

San Antonio-Phoenix (San Antonio leads, 1-0): This should be the most entertaining series of the first round, and the first game was a clear indication of that. Tim Duncan isn’t going to go for 40 every night, but he looks spry and unstoppable, particularly against a Phoenix team that doesn’t play much D. Look for the Spurs to keep running when possible, but expect them to tighten things up on defense. Not that the Suns are going to be repressed easily. They still have plenty of shots to throw. Updated Prediction: Spurs in seven.

Utah-Houston (Utah leads, 2-0): Okay, so this isn’t all about Tracy McGrady and his inability to win a playoff series. Yao Ming’s injury took a main cog away from the Rockets. But Houston’s amazing winning streak came largely without the Big Guy, so it all can’t be blamed on Yao’s absence. Utah has won the first two, in Houston, and has been practically unbeatable at home. Guess T-Mac has to wait another year to get that playoff win. Not exactly the best post-season resume, is it? Updated Prediction: Utah in five.

GAME OF THE WEEK

San Antonio-Phoenix, Sunday April 27, 3:30 pm. Game three of this one figures to be a doozy, particularly if the teams return to the desert tied. The Suns appeared to be getting it together at the end of the regular season, and don’t forget what happened last year, when suspensions torpedoed their chances against the Spurs. Not that San Antonio is a pushover. Despite the team’s second-place finish in the Southwest, it remains the one squad in the league that understands what’s necessary to win it all.

IN THE PAINT

While Warriors fans moan about seeing their team win 48 games and still miss the playoffs, next year’s team view is coming into focus. Expect Don Nelson to return to the bench for one more year. Baron Davis will likely be back, too. Expect the team to spend lavishly to keep Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins. Beyond that, nothing is safe.

Great move by the Bucks bringing in Scott Skiles. He’s a tough, defensive-minded coach that will help the team grow into a contender in the East.

As you assess the remaining coaching vacancies in the NBA, keep one thing in mind: Even though University of Memphis coach John Calipari has agreed to a contract extension with the school, he still hasn’t signed it. Could he be waiting to see if a pro team calls?

The Clippers are a great example of how things can change quickly in the NBA. Two years ago, they were a playoff team and considered a legitimate challenger to the Lakers. Now, they’re back in the Lottery, in serious danger of losing Elton Brand and weathering a spat between coach Mike Dunleavy and owner Donald Sterling.

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